How Do I Disassemble a Handgun?

As of 2009, close to one-third of the people in the United States owned a handgun, according to JustFacts.com. With such high numbers of people owning firearms, it is important to have knowledge of gun safety, how weapons work and whether or not a weapon is safe to operate. A good starting point is by disassembling a weapon to better understand its mechanisms and if it has been maintained properly.

  1. Tools

    • The required tools for disassembling most handguns are a 3/32-inch punch or a Glock tool (for Glock handguns). It is easier to remove the trigger mechanism using a pocket knife. A white towel makes a good surface for the disassembly by providing traction and contrast.

    First Steps

    • The most important task is to make sure the weapon is unloaded before you begin. Keep track of all the pieces as you disassemble the gun; losing any may make the firearm unusable.

    Removable Pieces

    • Remove the magazine and any live ammunition first, then take the slide off the frame. Remove the barrel and recoil mechanism from the slide. Remove the back slide plate, then the firing pin, firing pin sleeve, extractor plunger, locking block pin and trigger pin. Remove the slide release and the locking block. Remove the trigger housing mechanism pin to pull out the ejector and the trigger, trigger bar and trigger mechanism. Each of the trigger assembly parts can be taken apart.