External extractor on a Wilson 1911?

[tacos3]

I just was looking at the new Wilson EDC X9. It looks like a redesigned 1911 to fit the 9mm better. Slimmer grip and configurable with backstop and trigger length options.

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/EDC-X9-Lightrail-Frame-Armor-Tuff-9mm/productinfo/EDCX%2DCPR%2D9/

I noticed that it has an external extractor like a Sig or S&W. Just wondering what people thought. I've always felt that extractor tuning was the key to keeping a 9mm running well. An external extractor makes that a lot simpler.....

[stormvet]

It's not a true 1911 design it's a variation of a 1911. It's purpose is a double stack high capacity carry gun, aside from the external extractor it also does not have a grip safety. Time will tell if it's a good variation or not, it's price tag will keep it from ever being tested by the masses.

I like it, to me it makes much more sense then a traditional 1911 in 9mm. Do I like it enough to drop three grand on it, probably not. I'd buy another traditional .45 1911 from them first.

[ABR]

I'd order one in a heartbeat.

[railroader]

I have a Sig traditional match elite in 9mm and a XO in 45acp. Both have an external extractor which work great. If it is done right I don't see this as an issue.

[Socratic]

John Brownings original 1911 design had an external extractor.

I have an S&W 1911 that has been 100% flawless. It has an external extractor.

When the S&W 1911 was introduced, gun writers opined that its external extractor would fail. It never did. So after a couple years, I bought one, the model that immediately succeed the original run of S&W 1911's. Besides being flawless in operation, it's one of the most accurate handguns I own.

[Socratic]

I have a Sig traditional match elite in 9mm and a XO in 45acp. Both have an external extractor which work great. If it is done right I don't see this as an issue.

You're 100% right. External extractors cause problems for those who have taken a disliking to them. For the rest of us who are more concerned with reliability, external extractors cause zero problems.

[IVC]

Both external and internal extractor designs have withstood the test of time so I wouldn't worry about it. In any new design, such as EDC X9, there are many other potential problems before extractors ever factor in.

Compare to, e.g., Kimber Solo. A mix of 1911 and a striker fired pistol. The two main issues were "forked feeding ramp" for reliable feeding of HP bullets, but causing problems with FMJs, and, a little spring that had to be positioned correctly during assembly from field stripping that would cause slide locking on almost every shot if installed incorrectly. The external extractor on Solo was never an issue.

[IVC]

For some reason, every time I see discussion about external vs. internal extractors it reminds me of discussion about front cocking serrations or 9 vs. 45.

[mjmagee67]

Wasn't the 1911 the last pistol JMB designed with an internal extractor?????Maybe he thought the external was better.

[QXSOUP]

External extractors on Smith and Sig 1911's are just fine. The Smith design is directly from the 3rd gen series of pistols which were arguably the most reliable external extractors ever designed. Sig's design was a Caspian design that was worked over by Bruce Gray. You have nothing to worry about.