1911 Smart Wrench

Works great

Like every 1911 owner, I started with the "classic" style bushing remover - the type that sends it flying right right when you need it under control most. Not the best way to go for sure.Tried the wrenches with the small extension that tries to retain the plug and spring but the main problem is that you're always applying leverage from the side using the thin bushing face as a fulcrum - you need to turn, lever, and press down. Works OK but you still send plugs and springs flying.The Real Avid wrench is a whole new approach. I captures the bushing like a regular wrench stays under control the whole time. You're applying force right down the axis of the bore and recoil spring using the palm of your hand which means you're not levering your wrench. The result is easy and under control the whole time/ There is a detent to catch the plug and you'll both hear and feel the plug get captured. Don't go crazy and just let go of the tool but just smoothly and under control move it straight away from the end of the barrel until the spring tension is released. It's easy, repeatable, and especially controllable.There's a little bit of a catch to reinstall the plug and spring; you need to start off with the plug and spring outside of the detent used to capture the spring and plug when removing so you can turn the tool. It's easy because you are applying pressure straight down the bore with the palm of your hand.This is a good tool - if you're a 1911 person, you should use one of these tools. Get it right away and you'll probably never hit yourself in the face with the plug or send if sailing across the room. If you've already done that, get this tool and you might never do it again.It's lower cost and much better than any other alternative I've used.

Works great for field stripping. Also works for reassembly, but you can't use the little indent. I just press the spring cup down with my thumb and rotate the lock collar to the first lip of the spring cup. Then use the tool to press the cup flush and rotate the collar into the locked position. A LOT easier than using the standard flat wrench. Oh, and this tool feels like it will hold up way better than the flimsy plastic standard tool.

I have a Rock Island 1911 45 ACP with a full length guide rod. The real avid smart wrench works very nice for removing the recoil spring plug. But only somewhat helpful when reassembling the plug.Nowhere in the information on the Amazon website does real avid use the words reassembly. It uses the words remove, disassembly, and takedown. I install the spring and plug by hand until I can turn the barrel bushing so as it captures the ledge so to speak of the plug. I then finish by using the real avid smart wrench.This tool may work very well on other 1911 guns. It may have something to do with it being a full-length guide rod and the plug is different in that it's almost more of a bushing than a cap.Anyhow I hope this helps somebody who is frustrated with trying to use this tool to install the spring plug on their gun. I still find it very useful and I will keep it.

makes working on your 1911 so much easier

Husband loved this. He said it made things easier. (Not sure how it works)

Full-size Government models: it works great, as advertised to enable the owner of a full-size 1911 Government pistol to safely remove the recoil spring and plug to field strip the pistol without damaging the muzzle or related parts in the process. Also, if used as directed on a flat surface, it virtually eliminates the risk of injury from a flying recoil spring and plug.Colf Officer's Models: The "flip side" of this tool says it works on 1911 Officer's Models, too. It does not work on my Colt Officer's ACP Model which I purchased in 1984. I know that Wikipedia says the Colt Officer's pistol was introduced in 1985 but I also know that I purchased mine in 1984. Perhaps there have been changes to the muzzle, bushing, recoil spring plug etc. since 1984 which would enable owners of later Officer's Models to use this tool but I can't speak to that.

So much easier than using the traditional bushing tool and less chance for eye injury from a flying spring.