tensioning 1911 extractor?

[GIJEW]

After some malfunctions 10 years ago I changed the extractor, recoil spring, and mag springs, on my 1911 officer model. All of a sudden the extractor started to slip and leave empties in the chamber. While reading some reviews on 'midwayusa', someone mentioned 'tensioning'. What's involved? Can I salvage the extractor I've got?

 

[VERT]

Everything I think I know about setting the tension on an extractor I read on the Internet. I have not had any problems on my 45 acp. But I have a 9mm 1911 that I think could use a tweak. It was loose and I may have got it too snug.

 

[jinks]

This may help.

Extractor Tuning Tips

 

[Leo]

the link posted by "jinks" is a good one. I have used those techniques for years and never had trouble.

 

[Spyco]

This is just what I needed. Not to thread jack, but was having problems with rounds failing to eject. Sometimes the rounds would get rammed right back into the feed lips on the mag. My slide is failing all the extractor tests. This brings me one step closer to figuring out my problem. Thanks Jinks.

 

[Drail]

You may be able to re tension the extractor but if it starts dropping cases again you will want to buy a good extractor. What happens many times is the extractor, which is nothing more than a leaf spring, was incorrectly tempered when it was made or was made from something other than actual spring steel and or has lost its temper over time. Wilson, EGW, Brown or an original Colt are very good extractors. I have to ask, do you ever drop a round in the chamber and then close the slide on it? That will kill an extractor very shortly because it s not designed to snap over the rim of a case. One other thing to look at - any time a round gets drug through the feed lips (known as an inertial feed) that's a sign of a weak magazine spring. Does that only happen on the last 1 or 2 rounds or anywhere in the magazine?

 

[GIJEW]

You may be able to re tension the extractor but if it starts dropping cases again you will want to buy a good extractor. What happens many times is the extractor, which is nothing more than a leaf spring, was incorrectly tempered when it was made or was made from something other than actual spring steel and or has lost its temper over time. Wilson, EGW, Brown or an original Colt are very good extractors. I have to ask, do you ever drop a round in the chamber and then close the slide on it? That will kill an extractor very shortly because it s not designed to snap over the rim of a case. One other thing to look at - any time a round gets drug through the feed lips (known as an inertial feed) that's a sign of a weak magazine spring. Does that only happen on the last 1 or 2 rounds or anywhere in the magazine?

The current extractor is a Wilson "bullet proof". I don't abuse it like you described, closing the action on a chambered round. I've had the extractor slip, leaving a case in the barrel, on just about any cartridge in the magazine but occasionally it will work for a full mag.

Thanks for posting that link Jinks. I tried putting more tension on the extractor. I see some 'gunsmithing' experimenting in my next range session. Anyone have any idea long the extractor will hold that tension before needing another tweaking?

 

[Drail]

Then it sounds like you have a deflection problem - the hook is not able to reach all the way to the case rim.

 

[praff]

Anyone have any idea long the extractor will hold that tension before needing another tweaking?

This is all going to depend on how fatigued the metal in the extractor is and how often you take it out to clean it. Taking an extractor in and out of the extractor tunnel a lot can also change the bend or tune of the extractor over time. If there is any question at all about the extractor and the life of it, I would replace it. Extractors are cheap. Tune that one and keep it as a pre fit backup in case you ever need an emergency replacement (that is if you can get it to work again). It likely has just lost some tension, but the hook can wear out as well.

 

[migunner]

1. Extractor adjust
2 recoil spring a ring weight
3 firing pin stop loose

Usually one of the above in order. As always cheapest part first.