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Procedures to Tear Down a Colt Series 70

The Colt series 70 pistols were the models of 1911 handguns Colt produced by in the 1970s. The series 70 pistols were replaced with the series 80 models in the early 1980s, the only difference being an internal safety bar installed in the new models. Series 70 pistols are accurate, reliable and still see widespread use. The teardown procedures for the pistols are identical for all 1911 handguns.

Recoil Spring Guide Removal
- Point the weapon in a safe direction, press the magazine release on the left side of the grip and remove the magazine. Pull back on the slide to ensure the weapon is unloaded. Press the recoil spring guide--located in the front of the weapon beneath the barrel--and rotate the bushing holding it in position all the way to the right. The recoil spring guide will now slide out of the front. Remove it. The recoil spring will now protrude out of the front of the weapon.
Slide Separation
- Move the slide assembly slightly forward, so that the tab at the back of the slide stop is lined up with the notch in the slide. Press the slide stop through the weapon from the right hand side and remove the slide stop. Push the slide forward and separate it from the grip. Set the grip aside.
Slide Disassembly
- Turn the slide over and remove the recoil spring guide and the recoil spring by lifting them out of the assembly. Rotate the barrel bushing so that the tab is lined up with the opening and pull it forward. Remove the barrel bushing and the barrel from the front of the slide.

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