Smith & Wesson 1911 Instructions Manual

Read the instructions and
warnings in this manual
CAREFULLY BEFORE using
this firearm.
2100 Roosevelt Avenue • Springfield, MA  01104
18003310852  •  Fax: 4137473317
www.smithwesson.com
Owner’s Manual
1911 Series       

READ THESE  INSTRUCTIONS
AND WARNINGS  CAREFULLY. BE
SURE YOU  UNDERSTAND THESE
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM.
FAILURE TO  READ THESE
INSTRUCTIONS AND TO FOLLOW
THESE WARNINGS MAY RESULT
IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
TO YOU AND OTHERS
This SAFETY & INSTRUCTION
MANUAL should always
accompany this firearm and be
transferred with it upon change of
ownership or when presented to
another person. A copy of the
SAFETY & INSTRUCTION
MANUAL is available FREE
upon request from:
SMITH & WESSON...

3
YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
SAFE STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
NOMENCLATURE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
PREPARATION FOR FIRING  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
AMMUNITION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1113
MODEL NUMBER IDENTIFICATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
INSPECTION YOUR PISTOL  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....

•ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.Never point a firearm at anyone 
or anything you do not intend to shoot whether or not 
it is loaded. This is particularly important when loading, 
unloading, or fieldstripping the gun. ALWAYS control the 
direction of the firearm.
•ALWAYS TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT IS LOADED AND WILL FIRE IF THE TRIGGER IS PULLED.Do not take anyone’s word that the firearm is 
unloaded – always check for yourself. Never pass your 
firearm to another person until the...

YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES CONT’D.
• APPROPRIATE USE FOR YOUR FIREARM MEANS USING YOUR FIREARM FOR LEGAL PURPOSES.For example  target shooting and lawful resistance of 
deadly criminal force. It is your responsibility to ensure 
that you are in compliance with all applicable laws and 
ordinances regarding the use of your firearm.
• NEVER RELY ON MECHANICAL FEATURES ALONE.Only your safe gunhandling habits will ensure the 
safe use of your firearm. This is your responsibility.
•ALWAYS SAFELY STORE AND...

6
YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES CONT’D.
• BE SURE ALL ACCESSORIES,SUCH AS HOLSTERS AND GRIPS,ARE COMPATIBLEwith the handgun and that 
the accessories do not interfere with safe operation.
• NEVER DISASSEMBLE YOUR HANDGUNbeyond the field 
stripping procedure outlined in this manual. Improper 
disassembly or reassembly of your handgun may be 
dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death.
• NEVER MANIPULATE,ADJUST OR CHANGE ANY OF THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF YOUR FIREARMincluding the firing pin, sear, or...

7
WARNING: FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS AND WHEN
USED AND STORED IMPROPERLY THEY POSE A RISK
OF SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURIES. FIREARMS CAN BE
ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE
STORED IN AN IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNSAFE MANNER. FOR
YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS, IT IS IMPERATIVE
THAT YOU KEEP YOUR FIREARM LOCKED AND UNLOADED IN A
SECURE PLACE. THE AMMUNITION SHOULD BE STORED IN A
SEPARATE, SECURE LOCATION WHEN IT IS NOT IN USE. SAFE
AND SECURE STORAGE OF YOUR FIREARM IS ONE OF THE
MOST IMPORTANT...

8
SAFE STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION  CONT’D.
•NEVER ASSUME THAT A “HIDING”PLACE IS A SECURE STORAGE METHOD.Others may be aware of your storage 
location or come upon it by chance. It is your personal responsi
bility to use common sense when storing your firearm and 
ammunition and to always make sure they are not accessible to 
children or other unauthorized persons.
•
NEVER TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM.When transporting your firearm, be sure it is unloaded and 
locked. Safe and secure transportation of your...

9
NOMENCLATURE
Smith & Wesson handguns are reliable and safe to use when the
firearm safety rules are followed. There are a number of internal
safety mechanisms within the lockwork of the handgun which
ensure that the firearm will not discharge unless the trigger of the
handgun is pulled. That is one reason why it is important to
never modify or alter your firearm. Before you use your handgun,
you should be fully familiar with its operation.
Here is a list of basic firearms terminology.
AMMUNITION...

10
WARNING: THE FAILURE TO  FOLLOW THESE
FIREARM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WILL CAUSE
SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU
OR OTHERS.
•AL
WAYS TREAT ALL HANDGUNS AS IF THEY WERE LOADED.
•ALWAYS BE SURE THAT ALL CYLINDERS AND ACTIONS OF FIREARMS ARE OPEN;THAT CHAMBERS ARE CLEAR OF CARTRIDGES;MAGAZINES ARE REMOVED;AND THAT FIREARMS ARE POINTING IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
•ALWAYS KEEP FINGERS AND OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY AWAY FROM THE MUZZLE,AWAY FROM THE GAP BETWEEN THE REVOLVER BARREL AND CYLINDER,AND AWAY FROM...