MODELLING A COLT M1911-A1 SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL IN SOLIDWORKS

MODELLING A COLT M1911-A1 SEMI-AUTOMTIC PISTOL IN SOLIDWORKS

(Rendered image of Final model)

ABSTRACT:

• A semi-automatic pistol is a type of repeating single-chamber handgun (pistol) that automatically cycles its action to insert the subsequent cartridge into the chamber (self-loading) but requires manual actuation of the trigger to discharge the following shot.
• Additional terms sometimes used as synonyms for a semi-automatic pistol are self-loading pistol, auto pistol, and autoloading pistol.
• Semi-automatic pistols are by far the most popular for concealed carry by civilians, primary handguns for police and military use, backup guns for police use.
• Thus understanding the working helps us model the pistol better and is very useful in future innovations in its design

INTRODUCTION:

• It was designed by Mr. John Browning for the Colt’s Manufacturing Company, LLC.
• Colt M1911-A1 is a semi automatic pistol which was used as a standard sidearm by the United states armed forces between 1911 to 1986.
• However, modernized versions of it are still being used by the US Navy and the United states armed forces.
• The pistol was widely copied, and this operating system rose to become the pre-eminent type of the 20th century and of nearly all modern centerfire pistols
• This following model was created with reference to the drawings created by Rio Benson, Benson Consulting, LLP.
• Note: The following dimensions are close approximates and are not exact dimensions

METHODOLOGY:

1. Firstly, all of the smaller components like pins were created using revolve & extrude boss/base followed by the screws
2. Next, springs were modelled using helix and spiral command.
3. Following these parts smaller complex parts were modelled using various commands like extrude, revolve, sweep. Also extruded-cut, revolved cut and swept cut were also used.
4. NOTE: There is an issue with the Advanced hole and Thread options. Hence, Revolved-Cut was used extensively wherever required, and threads have not been replicated on necessary parts.
5. Then some of the important parts such as Slide, Barrel, Hammer, etc were created.
6. NOTE: A part (Sear Spring) has not been assembled due to insufficient data
7. Followed by that, the most detailed part i.e. the Receiver (the main structure) holding the components together was modelled.
8. Then the trigger and magazine sub-assemblies were put together.
9. Finally, all the parts along with sub-assemblies were put together as the main assembly.
10. In the end, the asssembled model was rendered in Solidworks Visualize.

LIST OF PARTS:

1.Barrel

Commands used: Revolve, Fillet, Cut-Extrude, Linear Pattern, Chamfer, Cut-Loft, Boss-Extrude, Helix and Spiral, Sweep, Circular Pattern

2. Base, Magazine

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Fillet, Chamfer, Cut-Extrude

3. Bow, Trigger

Commands used:Boss-Extrude, Loft, Cut-Loft, Fillet

4. Bushing, Barrel

Commands used: Revolve, Boss-Extrude

5. Bushing, Stock Screw

Commands used:Revolve, Cut-Extrude, Chamfer

6. Cap, Mainspring

Commands used:Revolve, Fillet, Chamfer

7. Catch, Magazine

Commands used: Revolve, Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude, Chamfer, Mirror, Fillet, Project Curve

8. Disconnector

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Mirror, Combine, Cut-Extrude

9. Ejector

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Fillet, Chamfer, Cut-Extrude

10. Extractor

Commands used: Revolve, Cut-Extrude, Chamfer, Fillet

11. Follower, Magazine

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Chamfer, Cut-Extrude, Fillet, Cut-Revolve

12. Guide, Recoil Spring

Commands used:Revolve,Chamfer, Fillet, Boss-Extrude, Cut-Sweep

13. Hammer

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude, Cut-Sweep, Fillet

14. Housing, Mainspring

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Revolve, Chamfer, Cut-Sweep, Mirror

15. Link, Barrel

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Chamfer, Fillet

16. Lock, Magazine

Commands used: Revolve, Fillet, Chamfer, Cut-Extrude, Boss-Extrude

17. Lock, Safety

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Revolve, Fillet, Cut-Sweep, Mirror, Cut-Revolve, Chamfer, Cut-Extrude

18. Mainspring

Commands used: Helix/Spiral, Sweep

19. Pad, Trigger

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude, Chamfer, Sweep, Loft

20. Pin, Barrel Link

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Chamfer

21. Pin, Ejector

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Chamfer

22. Pin, Firing

Commands used: Revolve, Chamfer, Fillet

23. Pin, Hammer Strut

Commands used: Chamfer, Boss-Extrude

24. Pin, Hammer

Commands used: Revolve

25. Pin, Magazine Base

Commands used: Revolve

26. Pin, Mainspring Cap

Commands used: Revolve

27. Pin, Mainspring Housing

Commands used: Revolve

28. Pin, Retainer Mainspring Housing

Commands used: Revolve, Fillet

29. Pin, Sear

Commands used: Revolve

30. Plug, Recoil

Commands used: Revolve, Cut-Extrude, Boss-Extrude

31. Plunger, Safety

Commands used: Revolve

32. Plunger, Slide Stop

Commands used: Revolve

33. Reciever

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude, Cut-Sweep, Sweep, Chamfer, Loft, Cut-Revolve

34. Safety Grip

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude, Fillet

35. Screw, Stock

Commands used: Revolve, Cut-Extrude

36. Sear

Commands used: Cut-Extrude, Boss-Extrude, Chamfer

37. Sight, Front

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude

38. Sight, Rear

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude, Fillet

39. Slide

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude, Cut-Sweep, Mirror, Cut-Revolve, Chamfer, Fillet

40. Spring, Firing Pin

Commands used: Helix/Spiral, Sweep

41. Spring, Magazine Catch

Commands used: Helix/Spiral, Sweep

42. Spring, Magazine

Commands used: Surface-Sweep, Surface-Extrude, Intersection Curve, Sweep

43. Spring, Plunger

Commands used: Helix/Spiral, Sweep

44. Spring, Recoil

Commands used: Helix/Spiral, Sweep

45. Spring, Sear

Commands used:Boss-Extrude, Chamfer, Cut-Extrude

46. Stock LH & RH

Commands used:Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude

47. Stop, Firing Pin

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude, Chamfer, Fillet

48. Stop, Slide

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Revolve, Fillet, Cut-Extrude

49. Strut, Hammer

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Revolve, Chamfer, Variable Fillet

50. Tube, Magazine

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Extrude, Loft, Fillet, Cut-Sweep, Boundary-Surface, Surface-Extend, Thicken, Combine(Subtract), Linear Pattern

51. Tube, Plunger

Commands used: Boss-Extrude, Cut-Revolve, Revolve, Linear Pattern, Fillet

IMAGES:

Trigger Sub-Assembly: (1)Mates used: Concentric, Coincident, Parallel (2)Components assembled: (i)Pad, Trigger; (ii)Bow, Trigger

Magazine-Subassembly: (1)Mates used: Concentric, Coincident, Parallel, Tangent (2)Components assembled: (i)Tube, Magazine; (ii)Base, Magazine; (iii)Follower, Magazine; (iv)Spring, Magazine

Final Model (Front View)

Cross-Section of Final Model (Front view)

Final Model (Exploded view)

PROJECT SCOPE:

• Modelling a pistol teaches us what an engineering marvel it is along with its intricate working.
• Modelling a small component guides us towards importance of smaller dimensions and smaller components and what a critical role they play.
• This basic model will be very helpful and can be used as a reference in designing advanced and innovative versions of various pistols in future with ease.
• Also working with such complex parts helps us to use various commands of software to a greater extent.

REFERENCES:

• Drawings of Government Model M1911-A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol, Originally Designed by John Browning for Colt Firearms Company, Redrawn with Present-Day Standards and Technology by Rio Benson, Benson Consulting, LLP.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGrH33uWCVk (for assembly)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjQrhDKDWFk (for working)