USGI 1911A1 Magazine...Cleaning
I have an 1943 production Colt 1911A1 in unfired condition. When I purchased it, there was no magazine with it, so I began to look for a perfect example of a magazine to match it. I recently acquired a Risdon magazine that is in unused condition (so I am told), but is wrapped in some kind of oil cloth for long term storage. I want to clean off the some-what runny brown oil to see the condition. What is the best cleaning agent for this project? Obviously if the magazine turns out in perfect condition, my concern is keeping it that way while cleaning. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Aaron
Aaron
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i use brake cleaner in a spray can for such purposes, you can find it in any auto parts store, after cleaning, spray it with "Remoil". 0 -
KROIL this product will dissolve dried grease crud dirt ETC and leave NEW looking Like NEW. Then use Renaissance Wax to protect the original finish.''
EDIT You can take these mags apart [^] you just have to do it correctly . #1 step get a wooden dowel or plastic rod and a small pin punch that will allow you to place it through one of the cartridge indicator holes .step #2 with wooden dowel press the spring follower very close to the bottom now place the pin punch though the magazine body in one side and out the other just below the follower . "you can use a piece of coat hanger wire if you don't have a pin punch' and are a red neck[:I] Do not remove the pin punch YET. Step #3 now remove the wooden dowel QUICKLY this will let the follower jump off the top off the spring. Step #4 turn magazine upside down . This will allow the loose follower to be fished out of the magazine 90 degrees to the top lips, Step # 5 you can then now with eye protection remove pin punch go find the spring [}:)] clean all parts of the magazine. and reverse all 5 steps. Yes you can still press the spring down with dowel BEFORE PLACING & installing pin punch before placing follower into the magazine.0 -
I'd start with Crud Cutter, but just about any solvent you have on hand is worth a try. All WW2 contract mags are blued, so treat just as you would a blued gun. If the cloth needs scraping, use only something non-abrasive, such as plastic, nylon, Dobie, or a bristle brush.
If you need something stronger, I'd use acetone.
With any solvents, use them outdoors with heavy duty gloves & eye protection.
You can't disassemble these mags, so use a wood dowel to depress the follower when you degrease/oil the inside (as best as you can).
Neal
EDIT: Great tip, John! Never would have figured that out by myself.0 -
I use Carl's way to clean and deburr the inside's of my mags. I suggest you test your pistol's mag well for burres before trying an unmarked perfect mag in it. I think my issue holster is marked 1944 but might have a extra 2 mag pouch marked 43. Out of 20+ or so mags have one marked C-R. I admire you folks that have the discipline
to keep them unfired.0 -
I've got a little trick for disassembling the magazine. Works good.
If you haven't done it before, the spring goes in one way only. Take note as it comes out.
Load 3 rounds. Insert pin through the 2nd hole. Remove rounds. Tap magazine on wooden bench to dislodge the follower. Remove follower. Place thumb over the feed lips and pull the pin.
Reassemble.
Feed the spring into the tube, and load the three rounds directly on top of the spring. Press top round down a little further to clear the spring coil and insert pin through 2nd hole. Remove rounds and install follower. Push down on the top of the follower to seat it. It should snap into place. Hold thumb over feed lips and pull pin. Make sure that top coil of the spring is correctly seated behind the slidestop shelf.
Done. Much faster and easier than fumbling with a dowel.0
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