How to Customize a 1911 Profile

The model 1911 was designed by John Browning and manufactured by Colt in 1911. This weapon became the sidearm used by U.S. military forces until being replaced by the Beretta M9 in the 1980's. Many 1911 owners enjoy customizing and modifying their 1911's to make them competition-ready, or just to set them apart from other similar models. The 1911 has a muzzle profile that can be fitted for a 1911 profile compensator. The compensator offers the shooter less muzzle recoil, resulting in greater accuracy and is an ideal way to customize the weapon.

Things You'll Need

  • 1911 full-profile compensator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the magazine. Pull the slide to the rear. Visually inspect the chamber to ensure that no live ammunition is present.

    • 2

      Depress the recoil spring plug located directly under the muzzle. Twist the barrel bushing clockwise until it reveals the recoil spring. Remove the recoil spring plug and the recoil spring. Note that the recoil spring is under high tension. Guide it out slowly to ensure that it won't fly across the room.

    • 3

      Cock the hammer back fully. Pull the slide to the rear until the slide catch lever aligns with the circular notch located near the rear of the weapon, on the left side of the frame. Pull the slide release lever out of the weapon frame.

    • 4

      Push the slide forward and off of the frame. Withdraw the recoil spring guide rod. Set the frame aside.

    • 5

      Twist the barrel bushing counterclockwise and pull it off of the weapon. Store the barrel busing in a secure area incase you want to re-install it later. The full profile compensator replaces the barrel bushing.

    • 6

      Fit the full profile compensator onto the barrel in the same manner as the barrel bushing. Twist the compensator clockwise to tighten. Reverse the previous steps to reassemble the weapon.