Extractor Question

[josiah712]

I just broke the extractor on my series 80.  It has many rounds through it, so I'm not too disappointed.  It broke at the cutout for the safety plunger - probably a common spot for that.

I'm looking through my Natchez catalog at the Wilson "bullet proof", and the Ed Brown "hardcore".

I would really appreciate some opinions on these, or other choices.

I'm looking for (1)  easy fit - drop in, if possible.  (2) reliability, and (3) durability.
                   

[Questor]

I have bought parts from both and am satisfied. Just make sure the part is supposed to be a drop-in part. There is a technique for tuning the ejector to get the cases to land where you want them, so you may want to find out if it needs tuning.

[josiah712]

I have the 45 shop manual by Jerry Kuhnhausen and he tells how to tune an extracter by bending it foreward of the mid-alignment guide.

But he doesn't say what tools to use to make this bend. Can you tell me about making this bend without damage?  Also, the stock Colt extracter that I broke, never failed to hook up during it's usefull life.  And it looks to be perfectly straight.

This is only the second part I have boken on this gun, the first was the firing pin retainer.  Is there anything else on this well used pistol that I should think about upgrading before it breaks?  Like maybe the disconnecter, the firing pin, or even that little lever that pushes the safety plunger.

[BloomGrad]

The four problems I've had with my 1911 are in order of "rear sphinter discomfort" were:

Ejector breakage.  I had a Commader ejector in a Government model and it broke the tip.  Still ejected but every case went to hit my face.  Had a new one installed and reshaped shorter.

Grip screw bushings kept backing out.  I had them red locktighted and staked in.

The plunger tube on the side holding the safety and slide stop plunger and spring worked loose (read that as almost fell off) just before the gun went away for a carry bevel package and refinishing.  I had that fixed by Novacs 45 Shop but don't know what the procedure is.  Never has occured again.

The firing pin retainer got a little sloppy (real little) but did not notice it.  George at Evolution Gun Works did and I put in a new one.  No big deal.  I just substituted at the next full takedown and cleaning.

I expect the springs to all go sspprrooiinngg someday but my 1911 isn't shot as much anymore.  Only when I take one gun to the range does it go with me.

Hope this helps.

[Dee]

Put the extractor in the slide and push a casing up from underneath (just like the pistol were cycleing) and see if it holds the casing in place with only a little tension. If not take the extracter out and put it into a vise (not much pressure) all the way to the last alignment swell. Take a pair of needle nose plyers and flex the forward shaft of the ejector in slightly  (as it would be in the slide) which would be toward the bolt face and try the casing test again.  Repeat the process until it holds the case with JUST A LITTLE PRESSURE. As soon as it holds the casing on it's own it's going to be close. Another trick for good feeding is to take a flat swiss file and bevel the bottom of the extractor slightly and then polish it with either 600 grit paper or a dremmel wheel. Just a little!

[josiah712]

Thanks for all of the replies.  I think I'm ready to go.

[Flint]

An alternative to Dee's suggestion is to pull the extractor halfway out, until the center lug isagainst the edge of the hole, rotate the extractor 180 degrees, and bend the protruding portion with your thumb, pushing away from the firing pin hole to tighten, toward it to loosen.

This uses the slide itself as a holding fixture, and you don't need a vise.