So, using the videos on the original DVD that came with the gun, and a pictorial how-to from the internet (these ones: http://how-i-did-it.org/detail-1911/index.html and http://how-i-did-it.org/detail-1911/reassembly.html), I took the bottom end of my RIA GI model apart and then put it back together again.

The video is a bit lacking, such as when removing the thumb safety the demonstrator simply pulls it off.  You can't see in the video that he moves it to the mid-point before pulling it off, and no mention is made.  Once I read it in the above instructions, it was easy-peasy.  Ditto on the removal of the mag release button - easy when shown but not easy when just following the video.  Still, between the two, everything came apart without apparent damage.

However, in putting it back together, neither gives very clear directions or pictures on getting the sear spring properly located relative to the sear and the disconnector, nor the hammer and the sear/disconnector.

When reassembled, the thumb and grip safeties both correctly keep the trigger from being pulled while the other is disengaged.  My problem is that when I manually cock the hammer it doesn't stay cocked each time.  If I try cocking it without engaging the grip safety, it won't lock every time.  With the grip safety disengaged, it sometimes stays cocked, and sometimes just goes back forward.  I don't think it's supposed to do that, but this is my only 1911, so can't test that theory on another working example.

Help!?!

The sear spring just sits behind everything.  Or, on top since we usually don't assemble the guns in firing position.  Sounds like the sear spring foot of the sear spring is in front of the sear, not behind it.

Nothing in the video about the lower, let alone the sear spring.

This image shows clearly how the three legs of the sear spring should appear when viewed through the grip safety:



My guess is you will find that on your gun the longest spring leg on the left is on the other side (front) of the sear foot.  This means the sear only engages when it flops to the right position.

Hope that helps.

(Caveat: I know nothing about the intricacies of 1911s)

First thing I'd suggest is taking it back apart, and making sure that you can do that without having to pull on anything too hard.

Is this a better video?

It was a decent video, but he only went over the top end.  I didn't mess with that part.

IT LIVES!!

Well, no, not really.

But it does work correctly again.   


Thanks again for the help.

Glad to hear. :-) Enjoy.