Colt series 80 Extractor issue

[smle-man]

The Series 80 .45 Government model I recently obtained went to the range today for a spin. It failed to extract about 90% of the WWB ball I tried. At first it extracted 100% of my ball reloads but that declined to about 50% after 30 rounds.

The fired case can be pulled out of the chamber with my fingernail so they aren't stuck. It appears that the extractor just slips off the rim.

I'm leaning to the extractor having insufficient tension although the pistol appears to have been barely used. I guess it could have been bad from the factory.

Your thoughts? The extractor hook is intact and the notch is completely clean.

[ojisan]

Yes, sounds like extractor needs more tension.
Pull the slide off than try sliding a case up the breech face under the hook.
There should be some drag as you slide the case through the hook.
How much drag?
About the drag that you feel pulling the cap off a new stick ink pen.
There are you tube videos and measurements that can be made, but if the case stays in place when you moderately shake the slide then there is enough tension.

Note: if someone has been chambering rounds by dropping them directly into the chamber then letting the slide go, then the extractor is bent outwards every time because it has to bend outwards to slide over the case rim.
The 1911 extractor is not a pivoting design, it is a spring that should not be bent out of place beyond its design range.
The 1911 design (and frankly almost every semi-auto pistol) should be thought of more as a controlled feed Mauser rifle action where the proper way to load is from the magazine only with the case head sliding up the breech face behind the extractor.

[Denver Dick]

If the extractor claw looks good, it sounds like the extractor needs tuning. Here is a "how to" video from Wilson Combat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOSmJd7HaDY

[eaglemike]

You could start by cleaning the extractor tunnel if that hasn't been done. I've seen many 1911's that ended up with powder residue/gunk in there, keeping the extractor from working properly. Just a place to start. An old .22 brass brush works pretty well.
After that, check to see if it looks worn. Once in a while a piece breaks off.
They are pretty easy to tune, lots of videos out there.
If you end up needing a new one, watch for the forward end being too long, and pushing on the forward side of the case groove when the case is against the breech face. Brett Cifialdi has some pictures up in his thread showing proper extractor position and shape.

[smle-man]

Extractor tension is correct. I cleaned everything but it wasn't dirty at all. Who knows, maybe taking it apart and putting it back together is what it wanted? I'll find out at the range next time.

[FeuerFrei]

Systimatic logical approach on trouble shooting the common 1911 maladies...

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/1911-clinic-troubleshooting.58497/

Sent using a long string and 2 used soup cans

[Colt]

Is extractor clocking?

[smle-man]

I took it apart and put it back together. Checked the extractor tension and all was good. Took it to the range today and it extracted and ejected just fine except the ejection pattern was weird: some cases went to 12 o'clock, some to 3 o'clock and a few to 6 o'clock. At least it extracted perfectly and I didn't get hit in the forehead with the fired cases as happened regularly with another Government model I once owned.

[FeuerFrei]

Try more extractor tension and test again. Check for brass marks on ejection port.
Ejector angle is off if the cases hit the shooter in the face.
Combo of both could be the reason it's not consistently dumping cases starboard side.

Sent using a long string and 2 used soup cans

[cannon]

I took it apart and put it back together. Checked the extractor tension and all was good. Took it to the range today and it extracted and ejected just fine except the ejection pattern was weird: some cases went to 12 o'clock, some to 3 o'clock and a few to 6 o'clock. At least it extracted perfectly and I didn't get hit in the forehead with the fired cases as happened regularly with another Government model I once owned.

No expert here so feel free to ignore me but it sounds like like you need a RCH more bend in the extractor.

At least that is what worked for me in that situation.

[Colt]

Yes, could be ejector as well. Is it factory ejector? Gov’t. Model? Extended ejector? May need to tweak or replace ejector

[redcliff]

Any idea when the recoil spring was last replaced? A fresh spring is helpful while troubleshooting used pistols.