Some of the newer 1911 platform weapons use the pivoted extermal extractor claiming better reliability.. I've not had tremendous problems with the normal 1911 extractor if well made. The external extractors are coil spring operated and that's usually a good thing. If buying a new weapon it would not influence me a great deal but if all else were equal, go for it. Full length guide rods are another story.. In some designs they are necessary. In the 1911 they aer not but they are some help in making them a bit more reliable. No spring kink equals less spring drag.. That makes the weapon more reliable. I like reliable, A LOT!!!! I do not like 1 piece full length rods. I use the Brown 2 piece design and use a drop of removeable LockTite to ensure that it stays together.. I've not had a problem for many years and take downs a snap. Does require an allen wrench to seperate the rod but that's not a biggy and it can be taken down without the key, just a bit more trouble.. The designs that demade a guide rod usually have a captive system where the entire slide assembly is removed as a unit. The full length rod facilitates this assembly staying together during the disassembly/assembly processes.. When all is said and done, I would not feel the least bit shorted with a rock stock 1911 45 with hardball. It's very reliable and shoots pre-expanded 9mm..
