How to Adjust Colt 1911 Three Leaf Springs

The Colt 1911 is one of the most popular pistols in the world today. Specifically, it has become the standard against which all other "match" pistols are judged. Often, the sport shooter will want to decrease the poundage of their trigger and thereby need to adjust the three-leaf spring on their 1911.

Things You'll Need

  • 19lb mainspring
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unload the weapon. De-chamber any rounds. Apply the manual safety on the side of the grip. Press the recoil spring plug inwards, and twist the barrel bushing clockwise.

    • 2

      Remove the recoil spring plug and the recoil spring by slow extraction. The spring is under pressure and has a tendency to exit the port quickly.

    • 3

      Cock the hammer fully, and draw back the slide so that the slide release lever may be pushed up and into the notch in the bottom of the slide.

    • 4

      Push the slide release lever into the frame and out the other side.

    • 5

      At this point the slide will slide off, and the trigger assembly will be exposed.

    • 6

      Unhook, and remove the mainspring from the three-leaf trigger assembly. Substitute the 19lb mainspring.

    • 7

      Set the center leaf of the 3-leaf sear springs to 10oz (see user manual for brand instructions).