1911 extractor: internal or external?

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waffentomas

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I'm thinking about buying another 10mm 1911 pattern pistol, but it has the external extractor. I've never owned a 1911 with one of these - they've all been of the internal variety.

Is there an advantage or disadvantage to the external type?

Does it matter?

Thanks

Tom
 
Popcorn -- check
Coke -- check
Comfy chair -- check

:)


In all seriousness -- I've had guns with both design varieties. The only ones that have had any issues with FTE or broken extractors have been of the internal 1911 variety.

Mind you -- my favorite autopistol of all time, the P220 -- has an internal extractor. There's really nothing wrong with either design. The only real difference (to my way of thinking) is that the internal variety is a bit more sensitive to single-round manual feeding, and prone to damage in that scenario.

Single-round feeding is a lousy way to operate an autopistol, so is it even a relevant objection? Probably not.


Best of luck,
Rich
 
Since every maker of a 1911 with external extractor felt it necessary to re-invent one, replacements are a from the factory only. I prefer to stick wtih internal extractors because they work fine if made right and are easy to replace right with a better made one if they weren't.

Problems Kimber has been having with their external extractors are made more agrivating since the only replacements you can get have to come from Kimber.

--wally.
 
I have one of both. Both my 1911's have performed perfectly relative to extraction. As near as I can tell, both are equal in terms of performance.
 
Dan wesson makes a 10mm 1911 with external. I have never heard anything bad about them. Kimber has internal and external. If it doesn't work they will fix it and it will. Up to you.
 
Disadvantage of the external is that it will be specific to the manufactor. Internals will work in any brand.
 
Popcorn -- check
Coke -- check
Comfy chair -- check


:neener:

Personally, I suspect that the manufacturer, the materials used and the fitting/installation of each have much to do with the successful function of either design ...

When I bought my various Colts I expected a quality internal extractor, and when I bought my SW1911Sc I expected a properly fitted external extractor of the type for which they're known ...

I have no particular expectation for any other product, although I'm somewhat cautiously skeptical by nature ... and have no immediate plans to purchase models by any of the other manufacturers.

Carry on, I'm going to get a beer.

The popcorn sounds good, though. :D
 
I like the internal for 2 reasons: First, being concealed tends to keep grit, dirt, and "gunk" from getting lodged in the extractor pivoting point and second, a single, shaped piece of spring steel is one part, how many parts are the external extractors comprised of? More than one. One time less is better! ;)
 
I have about 8000 - 10000 rounds through my Dan Wesson with an external extractor, no problems yet. I do have a question though. All of the Mfgrs. that went external did because S&W wanted to and they bought their slides from Smith. Do they all do the extractor differently?
 
If I get another 1911 in the future, it'll be original design. Why, you ask? Because of all the parts available, surplus parts, new parts, custom parts, parts, parts, parts, and because there's so much of it on the market, they're CHEAP!

I had to fit an extractor once. You can't just put it in, you have to file/stone the thing until it has enough clearance to pick up a round when feeding. You could get lucky, I guess, but I wasn't. :rolleyes: Neat thing is, it's ultra easy to do.
 
I like what works. I figured the internal extractor is what JMB intended when he designed the damn thing and he was a whole lot brighter than me.

I'm a traditionalist and I like my 1911s that way. I'll concede that the beavertail grip saftey, high cut frame, extended safety, commander hammer and beveled mag well are genuine improvements. But I eschew full length guide rods, supported barrels, bobtails, Series 80 safeties, etc.

A properly tuned quality extractor (Ed Brown Hardcore for me) is tops. If however you have a penchant for dropping a cartridge in the chamber and then closing the slide on it (which is totally wrong), go for the external because you will throw an internal out of tune in short order.
 
6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

Internal- less likely to get gummed up
External- won't get hosed in single round manual feeding

Internal- more replacement part availability
External- because you have to go to the maker, you don't have to tune or fit the thing

Internal- "The way JMB wanted it", and for the most part, it works fine
External- "The modern way", and for the most part, it works fine

My 1911 has an internal extractor, but I wouldn't drop a new one from consideration because of an external one.
 
I like what works. I figured the internal extractor is what JMB intended when he designed the damn thing and he was a whole lot brighter than me.
Click to expand...
So when a later design of his (Hi Power) had an external extractor he was taking a step back. :rolleyes:
The reality is that both designs work well so it shouldn't be an issue unless it is going to be a NRA Hardball gun where it has to look like GI issue.
 
Have 1911's with both; my Dan Wesson with internal extractor has been problematic at times....my external extractor Dan Wesson has been uber reliable.

I'm comfortable with the designs, potential issues, and performance of both.

C-
 
Catholic or Protestant?

While you're at it, ask about Full Length Guide Rods......
or ask if there is a Jesus.....

You've opened the Holiest of Holy Pandoras Boxes with this one.

Internal, since you asked :evil:

My favorite 1911, the Dan Wesson 10mm Razorback, has internal but some of DW's offerings use external.

Truth is it probably doesn't matter any more than that silly MIM or FLGR argument, but it's fun to watch!
 
Fatelvis said:
I am anti-full length guide rod, and I believe in Jesus. ;)
Click to expand...

(me too)

However. The above mentioned Razorback DOES have a ONE PIECE FLGR, and I can't find anything to complain about. The 2 piece, well, we'll have another religious war on that one some night when we're all bored..... :D

A question - What do the Glock people argue about?
 
Actually JMB did design it with an external extractor. The Army made him change the design.
 
jefmad said:
So when a later design of his (Hi Power) had an external extractor he was taking a step back. :rolleyes:
The reality is that both designs work well so it shouldn't be an issue unless it is going to be a NRA Hardball gun where it has to look like GI issue.
Click to expand...

I thought he was working around his own patents held by Colt when he started the HiPower. He died before it was complete and the HiPower design was completed by ... I sure can't spell the guy's name so I won't even try, but I'm sure someone else here will know.

--wally.
 
Ed said:
Actually JMB did design it with an external extractor. The Army made him change the design.
Click to expand...


First I've heard of this claim. Got anything more on that? I've truly never heard that before.
 
Last edited:
When was the external extractor added to the High Power? Long after JMB's death, wasn't it?
 
IIRC the BHP extractor was changed in the '60s. Kimber has given up the external extractor after 4 tries !
 
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