Short range afternoon - Taurus 1911 fared well

[Pistolpositive]

I had headed out to the range for a short session to to try out my newly acquired and seemingly well operating Dan Wesson 15-2 with six inch barrel. I threw in a couple of nines (Pt1911 and CZ 75B) and a new Charter Arms Pathfinder just for grins.
Glad I did the Dan Wesson fell on its face in its second cylinder of 357s.
On the other hand my Taurus 1911 proved once again it will eat my reloads set to standard OAL. Not the case for CZ 75b (older model). On round noses, the 75B, along with my other CZs need lead round nose a tad shorter. Did not run them through my carry gun - the Walther PPS, but I recall it was the same.
Still, it had been a while since the 9mm 1911 had been to the range and I had forgotten how much I liked to shoot that firearm. The only oddity. On the last round in multiple mags, the case never fully ejected. Of course the cz, when loaded with "properly sized" ammo and all factory ammo was a joy to shoot.
The new-to-me DW 15-2 was a real disappointment. I know it looks a little rough on the bluing, but showed no signs of abuse and the action was good when purchased two weeks ago. Oh well. Will see what I can do to resolve.

 

[Steve in Allentown]

Still, it had been a while since the 9mm 1911 had been to the range and I had forgotten how much I liked to shoot that firearm. The only oddity. On the last round in multiple bags, the case never fully ejected.

The last round in multiple mags is what I assume you meant. This is a common symptom of extractors that lose control of the extracted case. The reason you don't see it with the previously fired cases is that the next round coming up from the magazine pushes the case out of the ejection port.

The simple solution is to bend the extractor a bit more to add enough tension that it holds the fired case firmly. After you add more tension to it you can do a field expedient test to determine if it's enough.

1. Remove the slide from the pistol
2. Slide a fired case under the extractor
3. Shake the slide

The fired case should remain captured by the extractor unless the slide is shaken vigorously.

Of course, the ultimate test is to put rounds down range.

To do the live fire test:

1. Load a single round into the mag
2. Chamber the cartridge
3. Remove the magazine
4. Fire the round
5. Observe the flight of the fired case
6. Repeat the process seven more times

If any fired case falls out through the bottom of the magazine well or flies off in weird directions, then the extractor still needs attention.

 

[Pistolpositive]

Thanks Steve in Allentown for the recommendations. Hope the guys over in the Dan Wesson have as good prescription for my revolver maladies.
Will give it a try during the week.
Edited my post - bags not mags - sheesh.

 

[Steve in Allentown]

Let us know how the next range session goes.

Now for the bad news.

Most 1911 manufacturers outsource the extractors they use in their pistols. Typically this means they solicit bids from small machine shops and end up choosing the lowest bid. This often results in less than high quality parts. Even if you solve the last-round-ejection problem, it may be a temporary fix as the extractor won't hold the bend (tension) that you apply to it. Down the road you may end up having to replace the OEM extractor with a high quality one from EGW, Harrison, Wilson, etc.

Be sure the lower edge of the extractor claw is radiused to avoid digging into the brass case as it feeds.

Here's a tutorial on fitting an extractor that may be useful. While it focuses on the .45, the concepts are the same for the 9mm. The few of the details are different for 9mm.

 

[Pistolpositive]

Steve, thanks for the additional information. If it gets to replacing the extractor (way with a Wilson Combat), do I only need to specify caliber? For example at Midway this is what I came up with https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1070828848/.

 

[Steve in Allentown]

To be safe you should always specify the caliber. A .45 extractor won't work for a 9mm and vice versa.

However, the 9mm, .38 Super, .40, 9x23, and other less than .45 caliber cartridges use the same extractor. So the one you show will work for both the 9mm and the .38 Super.

I wouldn't buy one until you need one.