Broken extractor on 1 year old Colt 1911 Combat Commander

[sjack003]

I have a Colt 1911 Combat Commander that is only a year or two old. It was purchased new. After about 600-700 rounds, I had FTE and upon further inspection, found that the extractor had broken and the break looked like the piece was cast. Is this common? I have replaced it with a new factory extractor from Colt, but I dont like the idea of this happening. I fire only factory ammo and less than 100 +p rounds have been fired through it.
Advice?

 

[1911Tuner]

Busted

You probably got one left over from the short-lived bunch that had MIM extractors. Those broke early on...usually within a thousand rounds.

 

[sjack003]

MIM Extractor?

Does this mean that the new one that Colt sent me is bad too? Or did they fix that problem?

MIM extractor? What is that?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

MIM=Metal Injection Moulding

Pro's, keeps price of guns down

Con's, not nearly as durable as forged or milled

 

[DFW1911]

My *guess* is the new one is not MIM, but you may want to call and verify.

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[BIGDADDYLONGSTROKE]

Just a question here not trying to hijak but who makes a good replacement extractor that would be better than factory, I mean a drop in replacement. I have a Colt Cammander too but not FTE yet but mine is also a sereis 70 so its a bit older.

 

[HSMITH]

The honest answer is that there is no drop in replacement extractor. That said, Brazos custom does a really nice job tuning extractors for most guns. If I had to drop one in and hope it ran right I would pick his. His extractors are remarkably similar to SVI extractors but with a little extra attention, and it just so happens that SV makes my second favorite traditional extractor. Caspian makes a really good extractor too, seems like if you can get a Caspian to last 3500 rounds it will probably last a lifetime.

45 seconds with a file and extraction problems can be gone. I have put an Aftec extractor in every gun I really care about. They are beefy, strong, tuning is not needed, and they provide VERY strong extraction. All that is needed is a small bevel cut into the firing pin stop for it to pivot on, not a big deal at all. They are expensive, about $60 a copy, but worth every penny to me on competition and carry guns.

 

[Kestrel]

I had the MIM extractors in several Colts. I had all of them replaced. The current Colt extractors are not MIM.

HSMITH - How long do the AFTEC extractors usually last?

 

[paul45]

You probably got one left over from the short-lived bunch that had MIM extractors. Those broke early on...usually within a thousand rounds.

May I disagree....sjack says the Colt is a year or two old. MIM extractors went away a good deal earlier, did they not? As you know a Ed Brown hardcore or a Wilson bullet proof can fail as well......

 

[1911Tuner]

Colt MIM

Paul...You may. But many older Colts are still in the pipeline, sitting in distributors' warehouses. I've seen the MIM extractor appear in Colts that were bought as recently as this past summer.

The machined extractors that Colt is currently using seem to be exceptional, and have a decent spring temper.

Note that an improperly functioning gun can break even the best of extractors. So, if you have one that breaks'em while you wait...look elsewhere for the cause.

 

[XavierBreath]

not trying to hijak but who makes a good replacement extractor that would be better than factory, I mean a drop in replacement

Cylinder & Slide makes extractors from spring steel. $23.50. Click here.

How to fit an extractor.

 

[HSMITH]

Kestrel, I don't know for sure. I know of a couple that have 100K or more rounds on them in really high pressure rounds, and don't know of any that have broken. Between the added grip they get on the case and the lack of tuning for life I was sold, the fact that I can't find anyone that has had a failure with one was just icing to me.

If they will live for 100K rounds plus in a Super that is pushing over 50K psi the 45 acp will be real walk in the park.

 

[PX15]

Colt Customer Service

FWIW:

I purchased a Colt Detective Special off GunsAmerica from a gentleman in SanAngelo Tx. (BT). The pistol was basically as new, altho it may or may not have been fired.

I do not collect save queens, I just buy what I like, with the intention of pleasure plinking in mind. When I shot my DS it was WAYYYY off.. It was high/right/left, something.. Anyway comparing it to my other 5 snubby's it was easy to see something wasn't right.


I called Colt Customer Service and they said to send it to them for evaluation, and they would advise what needed repair and how much it would cost to do so..

I shipped my DS to Colt (@$35), and a week later got a nice, brief letter saying the barrel was not "indexed" correctly (or something like that). The problem could be corrected, and at no charge.

Two weeks later the DS was returned, pre-paid, with a nice letter saying the accuracy problem had been corrected, and the da trigger action had been smoothed and improved.. All no charge.

This was a used Colt firearm, decades old, and it was repaired free.. In fact better than repaired because the da action job was just icing on the cake.

All to say I wouldn't get too excited about your present Colt pistol problem. I feel certain Colt will fix it for you free, and just be thankful it's not a Beretta you are having a problem with..

JMOFO

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy