While the Colt .22 Long Rifle is almost identical to a standard M1911A1 on the outside, internally there are key differences, most notably the frame-mounted fixed 5-inch barrel and blowback operation.

Cleaning requirements can be met at this stage of disassembly. The .22 Tactical Colt M4 uses straight blowback operation rather than direct gas-impingement found in most standard AR-15s.