Who makes the best EXTERNAL extractor 1911?

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Eightball

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Yeah, you read it right: who, in your opinion, makes the best External Extractor 1911 today? I have no particular affinity or attachment to EEs, but so many people, when 1911s are mentioned, instantly dismiss EE models for IE, end of story.

So, within the "EE" 1911 crowd--whose is the best, and why? Which model within the manufacturer?

And please don't say "just get an internal extractor model," that's not the point of the thread. Thanks!
 
S&w 1911

I had a S&W 1911 target model when they first came out about five years ago. it was hard to fault that pistol.
 
"but so many people, when 1911s are mentioned, instantly dismiss EE models"

There's a really good reason for that. I am very curious why you want to know?
-Brian
 
Kimberusa messed up with their extractor guns, gave most people a bad taste. With the HiPower it was part of a natural progression.
 
I'd say far and away it's S&W...the only other one I would compare might be Sig, but I've heard their 1911s are sometimes a little...fragile might be a good word. Again, I've never owned a Sig 1911, but that's what I've heard. I do, however, own a S&W PC1911, and I can't find a fault with it, except that it's so nice that I don't even want to put it in a holster for fear of getting a tiny scratch on the frame. The gun shoots like a million bucks, and is boringly reliable. I love the external extractor as well. If you have the few extra bucks to shell out for a PC model if you go the S&W route, do it, you will not be disappointed. I just wish they made a PC model with a rail...
 
Another vote for Smith & Wesson. It appears to be the same design as their other autos, which are very reliable. A disadvantage is that it requires a skilled gunsmith or the factory to install and "tune".

I had a SIG Revolution 1911 which also had an external extractor. It broke off the claw after about 350 rounds. This is not likely due to its being an external type, but poor quality metal or design.
 
Hands down, Smith & Wesson. Enough said.

As previously noted, Kimber almost screwed up the entire market for external extractor 1911's.
 
As previously noted, Kimber almost screwed up the entire market for external extractor 1911's.
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Just out of curiosity, what did Kimber do to their external extractor design that made them so terrible? In other words, how did they almost screw up the entire market?
 
S&W make the best External Extractor of a 1911 because they based the design of the one they use in the DA/SA pistols which they've been prefecting since the '50s
 
Just out of curiosity, what did Kimber do to their external extractor design that made them so terrible? In other words, how did they almost screw up the entire market?
Click to expand...

I am not an engineer, so I cant tell you how they fouled up the manufacturing and fitting process. But the end result was that the external extractor did not extract as reliably as Kimber's already crappy internal extractor.

Kimber is not know for its quality control, and are even less known for their original engineering.
 
Just out of curiosity, what did Kimber do to their external extractor design that made them so terrible? In other words, how did they almost screw up the entire market?
Click to expand...

Scroll down to the pic in this thread and you can see the "evolution" of the Kimber external extractor. IMO they probably rushed some of them into production before getting it right, and left a sour taste in many folks' mouths when it comes to external extractors. They can obviously be made to work correctly, as S&W, SIG (for the most part), and some of the early DWs prove.

JMHO, YMMV.

Jason
 
The best 1911 on the market has external extractor because it is a S&W and the EE is the natural progression if JB had wanted to come back and improve the 1911 model. Just remember that FTE is most common failure of the 1911 design and the other is ammo design failures. The gun was designed for round nose FMJ ammo and anything else will never be as reliable.
 
S&W utilize the Schwartz safety system and have had numerous problems with their external extractor. Those who are so quick to point out their greatness need to learn a bit more of 1911's. Hilton Yam amongst a great deal many others will tell you that the S&W is NOT the ideal external extractor design.

The Sig for all of their initial problems (2004-2006) has never had external extractor design problems. EGW and Capian got the angle and length correct. The so called "fragility" of Sigs (speaking of the full size 5") were due to SIGs initial reasoning that quality outsourced parts from many quality vendors could just be assembled with little to no fitting and sent out into the publics arms. Obviously they were incorrect and since Sig has brought all manufacturing, fitting, and finishing under one roof, they have suceeded in building a fine firearm.
 
Ten bucks says that if Ruger ever did make a 1911, it would have a external extractor. Probably a ramped barrel too.
Any thoughs on why that hasn't really caught on?
Aside form it not being true to Browning's design? The ramped barrel that is. Seems to me it would be good 'Natural Progression' due to improved feeding characteristics.
 
GASP...he used the words Ruger and 1911 in the same sentence
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What do you want to bet one's in the works? Other than a pump and auto shotgun, 1911s are about the only firearm genre Ruger doesn't or hasn't made. A Ruger 1911 would be very interesting.
 
i'd also be interested in seeing how they would overcome the handfitting needed to make a early 1900s design function.

i'd venture to say that they haven't offered one because they can't make it as rugged as they'd want it to be
 
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