1911 Function & Safety Check Video
The video below demonstrates a quick 1911 function and safety check after cleaning, field stripping, maintenance, or reassembly. Always verify the pistol is completely unloaded and keep all live ammunition away from the work area before beginning.
Video chapters: 0:26 Magazine Check • 0:50 Hammer, Trigger & Trigger Reset Check • 1:40 Thumb & Grip Safety Check • 2:45 Out-of-Battery Check • 3:40 Extraction & Ejection Check
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How to Perform a 1911 function check and safety check.
Anytime you disassemble or field strip your 1911 for cleaning purposes, recoil spring replacement, plunger tube replacement, upgrade, etc. it is necessary to perform a function check and safety check. This is simply a series of steps to be sure that the gun has been assembled properly and the firearm safeties are working normally.
This tutorial will walk you step-by-step through a complete mechanical function check.
The checks in this tutorial are very thorough. There is more here than a safety check. When you reassemble your 1911, it is advisable to at least do the safety checks. Steps 11-15 deal specifically with the thumb and grip safeties.
Safety check
After disassembly of a firearm, you always want to verify that the gun is assembled properly and everything works as it should. This part of the procedure will ensure that the 1911 operates safely as designed. This will test the grip and thumb safeties.
Function Check
This will verify that the gun functions as designed, including accepting a magazine, chambering and ejecting a round and trigger function.
This function check will be performed with the gun empty of live ammunition. Some of the steps will involve dummy rounds, which are simply fake ammo that has the same size and shape as real ammunition, but does not have any gun powder or primer.
The check will verify proper operation of the magazine insertion and release, trigger, thumb safety, grip safety, firing pin block where applicable, and extractor/ejector function.
Step-By-Step Complete Mechanical Function and Safety Check on the 1911.
STOP!! Unload your gun and verify that it is unloaded by removing any magazine and checking the chamber to be sure it is empty. Remove ALL live ammunition from the area.
Slide Stop Function Check
1. Insert an empty magazine and verify it catches securely.
2. With the thumb safety disengaged, rack the slide fully rearward and verify the slide stop holds the slide open.
3. Verify the slide stop is fully engaged in the slide-stop notch.
4. Remove the empty magazine using the magazine release.
Hammer, Trigger and Trigger Reset Check
5. Allow the slide to move fully forward.
6. Verify again that the pistol is unloaded.
7. Point the pistol in a safe direction, press and hold the trigger to the rear, and verify the hammer falls.
8. Continue holding the trigger rearward while cycling the slide. The hammer should remain fully cocked.
9. Slowly release the trigger until the reset is felt or heard, then press the trigger again. The hammer should fall.
10. Release the trigger and cycle the slide. The hammer should remain fully cocked.
Thumb Safety and Grip Safety Checks
11. Cock the hammer, engage the thumb safety, point in a safe direction, and attempt to press the trigger. The hammer must remain cocked.
12. Disengage the thumb safety. The hammer should remain cocked.
13. Without depressing the grip safety, attempt to press the trigger while pointing in a safe direction. The hammer must not fall.
14. Reestablish a proper firing grip so the grip safety is depressed.
15. Slightly move the slide out of battery and attempt to press the trigger while pointing in a safe direction. The hammer should remain cocked.
Magazine, Extraction and Ejection Checks
16. Insert an empty magazine and verify it locks securely.
17. Press the magazine release and verify the magazine releases properly.
18. For the feeding/extraction check, use only completely inert dummy rounds—never live ammunition.
19. Insert a magazine loaded with inert dummy rounds.
20. Cycle the slide to verify each dummy round feeds, extracts, and ejects properly.
21. Continue cycling until the magazine is empty and verify the slide locks open.
22. Repeat with each magazine you intend to use with the pistol.
For 1911 pistols equipped with a firing-pin safety, consult the manufacturer’s manual for the appropriate safety-function verification procedure for that specific model.
Once all mechanical and safety checks are completed successfully, the final verification is a controlled live-fire test at an appropriate range, following all firearm-safety rules and the manufacturer’s instructions.
This completes the 1911 safety and function check.
If you carry a concealed weapon for self defense, please also see our article on Concealed Carry Insurance Coverage and Legal Protection.
Please leave comments, questions or suggestions in the comment section below.
