Other Pistol Parts

Handling a 1911 pistol is easy, but for beginners, it requires understanding the function of the 1911 pistol parts. In a regular class, the first lesson would be on gun safety. For instance, always presume a gun is loaded. Never point a gun at anyone or something if you are unwilling to fire, and keep your fingers off the trigger. However, without knowledge of the basic parts of a pistol, the safety lessons are a waste. Here is a Fusion firearm's take on the 1911 parts of a pistol.

What are the three main parts of a 1911 pistol?

The 1911 pistol is a classic firearm that has been in use for over a century. It is a single-action, semi-automatic handgun that was first developed by John Moses Browning and adopted by the United States Armed Forces in 1911. Despite its age, the 1911 remains a popular choice among gun enthusiasts and is still in use by some military and law enforcement units. We will take a closer look at the three main parts of the 1911 pistol.

The Frame

A 1911 frame is the foundation of the 1911 pistol, housing the gun's trigger mechanism, ignition parts, and other critical components such as the slide stop and magazine catch. In the Colt 1911, the frame includes the trigger, sear, disconnector, hammer, hammer strut, mainspring housing assembly, magazine catch assembly, plunger tube, plunger tube plunger assembly, slide stop, grip screw bushings, grip screws, thumb safety, grip safety, grips, and various retaining pins. The 1911 frame is the base of the "lower-assembly" which supports the trigger/ignition, plunger tube assembly, thumb safety, grips safety, and magazine catch assembly. Because 1911 frames must contain a serial number and are the primary structural components of 1911 pistols, the ATF classifies them as firearms, requiring a federal firearms license for drop-shipment and registration. However, all other parts needed to build a 1911 can be shipped directly to your home or business. When building a custom pistol, it is important to choose the proper 1911 frame size and options as it influences the final results and affects parts compatibility. 1911 frames come in three basic sizes: officers, commander, and full size (Government). There are also many variants and options to consider such as front-strap texture, tactical versions, monolithic dustcovers, barrel ramp cuts, carry cut mainspring housing options, and recessed slide stop pin holes. The frame and options you purchase will determine the build kit or parts kit needed to create a pistol that suits your application.

Parts Housed in the 1911 Frame 

• Magazine well: This is the opening in the frame where the magazine is inserted
• The Magazine: This is the device that holds the ammunition and feeds it into the chamber of the gun..
• Magazine release button: This is a small button located on the frame that allows the shooter to quickly release the magazine from the gun.
• Grip safety:This is a safety feature that prevents the gun from firing unless the shooter has a firm grip on the gun. It is usually located on the backstrap of the frame.
• Thumb safety: This is a lever located on the frame that prevents the gun from firing when it is engaged.
• Trigger: This is the part of the gun that the shooter pulls to fire the gun.
• Trigger guard: This is a ring-shaped piece of metal that surround the trigger and protects it from accidental discharge.
• Hammer: This is the part of the gun that strikes the firing pin, causing the gun to fire.
• Hammer strut: This is a small metal rod that connects the hammer to the frame and transfers the force of the hammer strike to the firing pin.
• Sear: This is a small metal piece that holds the hammer in the cocked position until the trigger is pulled.
• Sear spring: This is a small spring that sits behind the sear and provides the force necessary to hold the hammer in the cocked position.
• Disconnector: This is a small metal piece that prevents the gun from firing when the slide is out of battery.
• Mainspring: This is a large spring that sits inside the grip of the frame and provides the force necessary to cock the hammer.
• Mainspring housing: This is the part of the frame that surrounds the mainspring and holds it in place.
• Plunger tube: This is a small metal tube that holds the various spring-loaded parts inside the frame, such as the thumb safety, grip safety, and magazine release.
• Beavertail grip safety: This is a safety feature that sits on the back of the frame, preventing the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the shooter has a firm grip on the gun.

The Slide

The 1911 slide is the top portion of the gun that houses the barrel and the firing mechanism. It is typically made of steel and is responsible for moving back and forth on the frame to chamber a round, fire the gun, and eject the spent cartridge. The slide comes in different sizes, such as 3.25 inches, 3.5 inches, 4.25 inches, 5 inches, 6 inches, and even up to 7 inches. The most common size is the 5-inch slide which is found on the standard 1911 model. A shorter slide, such as 3.25 inches, is used for concealed carry and is easier to carry. The slide has several important features, such as the rear sight, which is used to align the front sight and aim the gun, the ejection port, which allows spent cartridges to be expelled from the gun, and the serrations, which are small grooves cut into the rear of the slide that allows the shooter to easily rack the slide. 

Parts Housed in the 1911 Slide

• Rear sight: This is used to align the front sight and aim the gun. It is usually adjustable for windage and elevation
• Extractor: This is a small arm that grips the rim of the cartridge and pulls it out of the chamber when the slide is racked.
• Firing pin: This is the small metal pin that strikes the primer of the cartridge, causing it to fire.
• Firing pin spring: This is a small spring that sits behind the firing pin and provides the force necessary to drive the firing pin forward when the trigger is pulled.
• Firing pin stop: This is a small metal piece that sits on the slide and keeps the firing pin in place..
• Barrel: This is the long, cylindrical part of the gun that the bullet travels through.
• Barrel bushing: This is a small, removable piece that sits at the front of the slide and keeps the barrel in place and improve accuracy by keeping the barrel and slide in perfect alignment.
• Guide rod: This is a small metal rod that sits in front of the recoil spring and helps guide the slide as it moves back and forth during the firing cycle.
• Recoil spring: This is a large spring that sits around the guide rod and provides the force necessary to push the slide forward after firing, chambering a new round and protecting the pistol from battering.
• End cap or reverse plug:This is a small piece that sits on the end of the guide rod, it is used to contain the recoil spring and help to guide the slide as it moves back and forth during the firing cycle.

 The Barrel

The barrel of the 1911 pistol is the long, cylindrical part of the gun that the bullet travels through. It is located inside the slide and is responsible for propelling the bullet out of the gun. The barrel is typically made of stainless steel or carbon steel and is rifled, which means it has spiral grooves cut into its interior to give the bullet a spin as it exits the gun. This helps to stabilize the bullet in flight and improve accuracy.

Features of the 1911 Pistol Barrel

• Rifling: These are the spiral grooves cut into the barrel that give the bullet a spin as it exits the gun, which helps to stabilize the bullet in flight and improve accuracy.
• Chamber: This is the part of the barrel where the cartridge is loaded and fired.
• Feed ramp: This is the sloped surface on the barrel that guides the cartridge from the magazine into the chamber.
• Crown: This is the part of the barrel that the bullet exits from. It is typically recessed or protected by a small protrusion to protect the rifling from damage.

Parts of the 1911 Pistol Barrel

• Barrel link: This is a small metal rod that connects the barrel to the slide and allows the barrel to tilt upward during the recoil cycle.
• Link pin: This is a small pin that holds the barrel link in place and allows it to pivot.
• Barrel bushing: This is a small, removable piece that sits at the front of the slide and keeps the barrel in place and improve accuracy by keeping the barrel and slide in perfect alignment.

How many parts does the 1911 pistol have?

A 1911 pistol is a complex weapon made up of many individual parts that work together to make the gun function properly. Typically, a 1911 pistol is made up of around 52 individual parts. These parts include the slide, frame, barrel, trigger, hammer, sights, magazine, grip safety, thumb safety, trigger guard, mainspring, mainspring housing, sear, disconnector, firing pin, firing pin spring, firing pin stop, extractor, and various pins and springs that hold the parts together and allow them to function properly. Additionally, there are other parts such as the guide rod, recoil spring, end cap/reverse plug, magazine spring, magazine follower and magazine release button. These parts work together in a precise and coordinated manner to allow the gun to fire, reload, and operate safely. The 1911 is a very popular model among gun enthusiasts and many consider it to be one of the most reliable and accurate handguns ever made, this is due to the intricate design and the large number of parts that make it up, each one plays a crucial role in the operation and reliability of the gun.

What are the different 1911 pistol parts provided by Fusion Firearms?

Fusion Firearms is your one-stop shop for all your 1911 pistol parts needs. We offer a full catalog of high-quality parts that will help you customize and improve your 1911 pistol. Whether you're a professional shooter looking to improve your competition gun, or a hobbyist looking to build your dream 1911, or want to build your own 1911 pistol from a complete kit  we have the parts you need to make it happen.

• Load fusion firearms' main website
• Click on the Search Button or use the Drop Down Menu
• Enter the specific part you are looking for, i.e., slide, and don't forget the size, barrel, slide stops, triggers, frames, and more
• Choose the right part that will match your gun
• Complete the purchase invoice, make payments, provide a valid FFL license and address for all serialized items such as complete guns or frames.

Conclusion

Fusion Firearms has all the 1911 pistol parts you are looking for online. If unsure of what you want, seek out customer support. Fill in the form, and Fusion Firearms will respond quickly. Remember, most 1911 pistol parts or accessories are available at Fusion firearms!