The Colt M1911 is one of the most successful handgun designs in history, and we’re not even going to back that statement up with more testimony. Take it or leave it.
Part of the design’s success is its rock solid construction, which has lent itself to unbelievable longevity. The heavy steel frame and construction of the gun certainly have something to do with that.
Even 1911 mags are built tough, with a simple, rugged design.
They still need to be cleaned though. Here’s how to do just that.
Taking It Apart
If you have a single-stack Colt 1911 mag, you’ll probably have noticed that the baseplate does not come off. No worries there.
Instead, what you’re going to want to do is use a cleaning brush to press the follower down into the mag tube.
With the spring compressed, insert a small screwdriver or pin punch into one of the witness holes in the side of the mag tube to detain the spring.
With the spring compressed and detained, remove the cleaning brush; at this point, you will be able to pull the follower out of the top of the magazine.
Carefully cover the top of the magazine so that the spring doesn’t shoot out the top, then remove the screwdriver or pin pinch to release the spring.
Remove the spring and set it aside with the follower and mag body.
Cleaning a 1911 Mag
Fortunately for you, Colt 1911 mags are made with only three tough steel components, as described above. Therefore it is fairly easy and straightforward to clean them.
With the 1911 mag disassembled, you can clean it. First, let’s look at the mag tube.
Wipe off the outside with a clean rag, using a nylon or brass brush to dislodge and remove any deposits of fouling or grime. A clean mag tube will help ensure that it seats properly.
Then, use a slotted pistol cleaning jag with some patches or a brush to clean the inside of the mag tube. You can likely get this done with some warm water and soap, but some guys on forums recommend using brake cleaner, which will technically work too.
Just make sure if you use any harsh cleaners or bore solvents, you remove the residue and thoroughly dry the inside of the mag tube before reassembling.
Now you can clean the spring and follower. Use a clean cloth or brush to scrub away any deposits on the spring. Use a bore solvent if necessary to remove fouling. You want the spring as clean as possible as it is prone to rust and it is the heart of the 1911 mag.
Then clean off the follower with either a nylon or brass brush, setting it aside to dry before you reassemble the mag.
While you can lightly oil the components, it is not recommended as oil is not necessary and all it will do is attract dust, dirt, and fouling.
You can however give the spring a very, very light coat of oil – not to lubricate, but to seal it off against oxidation.
When you’re done, replace your spring, then follower, into the mag tube in the reverse order described above.
Here for a New 1911 Mag?
One of the great things about 1911 mags is their simplicity, which is married to an incredibly durable, resilient and reliable design.
With that said, anyone could use some spare mags, so if you’re in the market for some new single-stack 1911 mags to add to your range bag, get them online at SARCO.
SARCO’s 1911 mags are compatible with many 1911 pistols and clones, and are extremely high-quality and surprisingly cheap. For less than $7, you can get a new one. Buy a couple and add them to your range bag.
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