[Canaima]

As you saw from my introduction post, I am new to 1911s and I'm a bit intimidated by the takedown process. I haven't taken down my Aegis yet for cleaning (gunstore advised putting a few hundred rounds through it first) and I was considering purchasing one of the takedown tools I've seen videos of. They seem to make it easier vs the Kimber tool. Does anyone have any experience with these? Or do you find the Kimber tool sufficient?

As for cleaning: I watched one video where the guy goes so far as to not only remove the slide but to also take the slide apart (removing the firing pin). This never occurred to me with other semi autos (like my Sig) - does anyone go this far with the cleaning?

 

[JackShellac]

I'm not sure which take down tool you are looking at and I am guessing you are talking about a bushing tool here is a link to a bushing tool
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...911-auto-anodized-bushing-wrench-prod392.aspx

If it's a bushing tool you are looking at the one supplied with the gun is as good as any.

As to taking down the gun go to Youtube and search "1911 disassembly" Wilson Combat has a very good video which will show you how to take the slide down. The 1911 style gun is a easy gun to take all the way down for cleaning and inspection but you do need a set of good gun smith screw drivers and roll pin punches to avoid damaging the finish on the gun. I shoot cast bullets which I make and reload in my 1911's which are dirty, much dirtier than factory loads so I find my self taking the gun all the way down to the frame to clean it after every thousand or so rounds. If you don't consider your self mechanical and some folks are not, then you can always learn how to take the slide down yourself and when the gun get really dirty take the grips off the frame and blast the frame with an aerosol gun cleaner like Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber. Oil the gun according to the instructions Kimber sent with the gun and you are off to the range again

 

[Ferg]

My gues is that you have one that is similar to my Kimber Pro SIS. You need to lock the slide back and it should expose a small hole on your guide rod. Using an L-shaped wire tool, insert into the hole on your guide rod. If you do not have the tool, straighten out a paperclip and bend one end 90 degrees at about a quarter inch give or take. The bottom of the "L" should be the diameter of your guide rod. After you put the tool in, this will hold the guide rod spring tension back on your guide rod allowing you to remove it. It is a little complecated but once you get it it is simple. This youtube video should help...

 

[Captain K-man]

Hi Canaima, I use the 1911 Ultra Tool to takedown my CDP II. It makes it a lot easier to takedown the gun. I'd recommend them to anyone instead of that wire paperclip thing you get with your gun. As for a complete takedown and detail cleaning, I do that after I put well over 1000 rounds through the gun. It's not needed every time you clean the gun. For every day cleaning I just clean the barrel and wipe down the inside & out of the gun to get some of the crud off it.

 

[Canaima]

Thanks for the tips. The 1911 Ultra Tool is the one I was leaning towards buying. There was a plastic one by NDZPerformance as well and that 1911 tool kit (Wilson I think) looks handy. Nevertheless I should probably learn to use that paper clip thingy that came with the Kimber even if I don't use it long-term.
I think the 1000 guideline sounds reasonable - standard cleaning after range outings then pull apart the slide and the spring assembly every 1000 rounds (magazines at 5000 rds?). Similarly my Ruger LCR is recommended for some extra maintenance every 1000. Anyway, it should be an adventure the first time I try - hopefully I can put it all back together again.

 

[Chip]

If you can get someone to show you a couple of times how to field strip your Kimber you will not have any trouble. Also, it is the hardest to do when pistol is new. After it has been broken in it becomes easier. Pretty soon you will be able to do it with your eyes closed.

WARNING..the first couple of times do in a clean room with a white or light colored towel down. That way if you do launch a part or a spring it will be easy to find.

Chip

 

[Canaima]

If you can get someone to show you a couple of times...

Chip

Thanks. The Youtube videos helped a ton. On my first attempt using the Kimber tool I was unsuccessful - just couldn't get the pin to pop out. I put another 100 rounds through it and tried again - success and it came apart with ease. Go figure. Then my 1911Ultra Tool arrived - it works as advertised and definitely makes it easy to take down and reassemble.

 

[Chip]

Thanks. The Youtube videos helped a ton. On my first attempt using the Kimber tool I was unsuccessful - just couldn't get the pin to pop out. I put another 100 rounds through it and tried again - success and it came apart with ease. Go figure. Then my 1911Ultra Tool arrived - it works as advertised and definitely makes it easy to take down and reassemble.

Glad to hear it.

 

[Biomanghs]

I just bought a supercarry ultra II and attempted to take it down this weekend and I really struggled, even with the you tube help. That paper clip like tool sucks! It was flopping around and kept falling out if I didnt hold the gun just so. I have been a long time semi auto guy; Glock, H and K, Sig and Kahr and have field stripped many, but this was tough. I had more trouble getting it back together after cleaning than I did taking it apart. I had trouble getting the slide release to snap back in while holding the slide at the proper point. Of course I was trying to be real careful not to scratch this 1300 dollar beauty's finish. After seeing how aggressive the you tube guy was with his I finally began to apply more pressure and got it back together. I immediately searched and ordered the ultra 1911 tool. It is on its way. Hope it makes this easier!

 

[GKKimber]

I just bought a supercarry ultra II and attempted to take it down this weekend and I really struggled, even with the you tube help. That paper clip like tool sucks! It was flopping around and kept falling out if I didnt hold the gun just so. I have been a long time semi auto guy; Glock, H and K, Sig and Kahr and have field stripped many, but this was tough. I had more trouble getting it back together after cleaning than I did taking it apart. I had trouble getting the slide release to snap back in while holding the slide at the proper point. Of course I was trying to be real careful not to scratch this 1300 dollar beauty's finish. After seeing how aggressive the you tube guy was with his I finally began to apply more pressure and got it back together. I immediately searched and ordered the ultra 1911 tool. It is on its way. Hope it makes this easier!

That little piece of plastic is awesome..lines everything up.
Take down is easier as is putting it back together..clever lil invention.