1911 Extractor...Which to get?

[Stinger]

Ladies and Gents

I have been having a few FTE's in my Springfield Mil-Spec GI, and have decided to try a new extractor. I was looking through the Midway book, and they have two choices, Springfield or Wilson.

Which should I get? BTW, the Wilson has two choices, 70 or 80 series, if I get Wilson, which would fit my Springer?

Thanks,

Stinger

 

[wally]

Have you tried adjusting its tension first? Often this is all that is required.

1911Tuner has posted detailed instructions in the gunsmithing section.

Don't even need any tools for this one if your fingers are strong enough.

New ones usually need to be adjusted anyways so it's worth learning on yours even if you end up needing to replace it.

--wally.

 

[Ken Rainey]

Yep, try what wally said and see if yours just needs adjusting. If that don't last as it should and you have to replace it, I'd get a spring steel one from Cylinder & Slide.

Ken

 

[Stinger]

I will tinker with the current extractor, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and get another in case I need it.

Thanks,

Stinger

 

[gharsh]

The advice given so far will probably take you a long way. However, if you decide to get a new one, you may want to consider calling Springfield first. Why buy a Springfield extracter when they'll send you one for free since they have a lifetime warranty. If you decide to get the Wilson, or another brand, you'll want the 70 series extractor, not the 80 series. The 80 series has an additional safety that the others don't. If you do a search on this site, you'll most likely come up with a lot of information about these troublesome pieces. Learning to adjust one is a handy skill to have. Also, be aware that some extractors may need to be fitted and are not just a drop in piece. Again, doing a search here will yield a wealth of knowledge.

Good Luck.

 

[Shmackey]

The Series 80 extractors don't "have a safety." They have a cutout for the Series 80 setup; without the Series 80 setup, the cutout just sits there without doing any harm. You might as well get a 70, but it won't matter if you get an 80.

Keep in mind that even if you get a $30 new extractor, it likely won't work if you plop in in your 1911. Not only will it need to be tensioned, it will need to be radiused and polished. If I were you, I'd get a new one but experiment on the cheap Springfield one first.

 

[McNutt]

I agree with gharsh. One of the advantages of buying a Springfield is their warranty. Go that route first. I don't think you'll need to spend any money to get it working.

 

[1911Tuner]

Springfield Extractors

One caveat...

In the last two years or so, Springfield has had some problems with their
extractors. Improper heat-treatment...sub-standard steel...something.

They wear quickly and don't hold tension well. Since they may or may not have identified or depleted the bad lot, you may wind up with another one just like the other one.

Cylinder and Slide spring steel extractors are very good, but there have been reports of some being out of spec and causing problems with interference with the barrel. Warranty will replace any that are bad, but it's still a PITA to play mail tag.

Ed Brown Hardcore and Wilson Bulletproof are about on an equal par as far as quality...and both are very good. The Brown requires less prep
on average, while the Wilson has the advantage of more material in the
firing pin stop slot, which allows the smith to get a press-fit at the stop.
Properly modified and fitted, either can be made more "springy". I've
had good results with both.

Luck!

Tuner

 

[Wildalaska]

Not to argue with Tuner, over the past few years we have installed probably 50 plus C&S extractors and every one worked perfectly.

Any part can be out of spec...like the Ed Brown Tactical Safety that just cracked during firing last week..

WildstuffhappensAlaska

 

[1911Tuner]

C&S

WildAlaska said:

Not to argue with Tuner, over the past few years we have installed probably 50 plus C&S extractors and every one worked perfectly.

Notta problem, mah fren. They may have gotten it straightened out with
their vendor. I picked up on a few reports of out-of-spec extractors
here tnd there...Didn't know if it was a spot problem or a bad lot of parts.
Hope they nailed it, 'cause their extractors are the only proper spring steel
extractors on the open market.

Luck!

Tuner