Best 1911 Internal Extractor - your experiences

[jad0110]

Hello all,

I am the proud owner of a brand new SA M1911 Mil-Spec. One of the first things I had addressed with this 1911 was it's crummy trigger pull. Now, I would like to address the internal extractor. I have fired a mix of FMJ and JHP rounds through it for a total of 525 rounds. In that time, I have experienced 4 failures to extract, all with el-cheapo Blazer CCI 230 grain ammo. Basically, the spent case was being grabbed too tightly by the extractor to eject. In fact, the gun began to strip a fresh round off the magazine with the spent case still grabbed by the extractor! I figure it could be just the ammo I'm using, or I could play with the extractor tension a bit at some point. But given the critical role that the internal extractor plays in the controlled-feed 1911 design, I am interested in possibly upgrading this component in my 1911.

From what I have read, it seems that many of today's OEM 1911 internal extractors are a little too rigid. I assume the SA extractor is probably not the best, but correct me if I'm wrong. On the other hand, I have read many accounts of the original specification 1911 extractors lasting for many decades and tens of thousands of rounds. These extractors were properly heat-treated spring-steel of 1065 to 1090 variety (from 1911Tuner's website).

So, I'm looking to be pointed in the right direction. Your time is appreciated!

 

[Walkalong]

The Aftec is supposed to be the absolute best but it is very pricey. Ed Brown, STI, Cylinder & Slide, Wilson, Take your pick.

Sounds like yours would work fine with a bit of tweaking. Ask about it in the Gunsmithing and Repairs Section.

 

[Bob Hostetter]

SVI has recently released a new billet extractor for 1911/2011 style guns. I have been using them in one of my competition guns for the last several months with out any issues. Probably have 10,000 rounds on it so far. They appear to be super high quality, are properly machined, and have worked perfectly so far. It will be my choice for extractors from now on.........

 

[Sistema1927]

I have had very good results using the Wilson Bulletproof in my 1911's. I routinely buy these for my pistols now before I run into problems. They require little or no tensioning, and hold it once done.

 

[Father Knows Best]

I love the Para Power Extractor that came in all three of my Para Ordnance 1911's. It is a beefy piece of machined steel with a coil spring to tension it. The hook is a LOT bigger than you find on a traditional 1911 extractor. I have no idea whether the Para Power Extractor can be retrofitted to non-Para 1911's, though.

 

[jad0110]

They require little or no tensioning, and hold it once done.

A friend yesterday recommended the Wilson Bulletproof because he said it almost never requires any fitting. Have you found that to be the case?

BTW, thank you for all the suggestions.

 

[Boats]

My Wilson Bulletproof that I installed on my carry Springer was pretty much drop in as far as its claw shape was concerned. It did need to be correctly tensioned, which really isn't a difficult process.

I have a C&S extractor on one of my other 1911s. Some minor shaping was required, but I have no complaints at all about that one either.

Personally, I see no major difference between a spring steel extractor and a bar stock one if each is executed correctly. Maybe untold thousands of rounds will tell the tale, but I usually have extra extractors laying about in the event that one breaks.