Question on extractor designations for 1911's

[DaveInOroValley]

Looking on the Wilson Combat site for a replacement extractor for a Kimber Custom Hero 1911. The list two different designations. One is a "70 series" and one is a "80 series". How do you tell which one you need for a specific 1911?

Thank you!

[Subotai]

Your Kimber probably takes the 80 series. Check Kimber specs on their website.

Edit - don't like my answer, let's wait for others to chime in.

This is the one I bought, I have a spare - https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1070314889?pid=314889

[Bullwinkle]

Series 80 1911's have a firing pin block safety, and hence there is an extra cutout in the rear of the extractor. Series 70 1911's do not have a firing pin block.

If you don't know which you have, here is a video showing an easy way to make the determination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIcrzDMjoAI

You can also look at the top of the frame (while the pistol is field stripped) on the right side toward the rear. If there's a little hole there with a plunger that rises up from it when you pull the trigger, or if there's no hole but there is an arm that rises upward when you pull the trigger, then you have a Series 80 pistol. A Series 70 1911 won't have either of those mechanical devices.

As Subotai surmised, your Kimber is probably a Series 80 (utilizing the Swartz safety system, which is the hole/plunger method I mentioned above).

[Sailormilan2]

If your 1911 has the firing pin block plunger, then you need a ?Series 80? extractor. This can be determined by locking the slide back and looking at the under side for the plunger. The plunger, if there, will be right next to the disconnector cutout.
FWIW, a standard 1911, often called a ?Series 70?, can take either one.

[newbie1234]

Find out your 1911 is Series 70 or Series 80 then buy parts according to your gun.

[DaveInOroValley]

Thank you all very much, that makes it easy to check. Much appreciated! It is a series 80, you guys are all awesome.

[L-2]

The Kimber "Series II", aka "Swartz" type can use either the 70 or 80 type 1911 extractor.

[Mute]

^^^This is correct. The Swartz safety is grip safety activated. It doesn't operate in the same manner as the Series 80. Either 70 or 80 Series extractor will work.

[1911whore]

Kimber has a Schwartz style FP safety. 70 or 80 series will work

[DaveInOroValley]

Thankfully either one will work since I ordered an 80 after watching the video then I get an email today from Kimber customer service saying it's a 70. Which from what I gathered from the video that's technically incorrect even if both styles would work. I guess I'm glad "The Schwartz is with me"

[KrizB]

Kimber didn't fix it the first time and they don't know what series it is.
Not exactly brand trust building, innit?

[Bullwinkle]

Kimber didn't fix it the first time and they don't know what series it is.
Not exactly brand trust building, innit?

I'm going to give Kimber the benefit of the doubt and assume they were talking specifically about the extractor style they use in their production guns, rather than the firearm designation in general.

But yeah, we hear what you're saying.

[L-2]

Post 10,
Terminology becomes confusing as "Series 70" and "Series 80" are generally Colt-brand designations.

Series 80 often means to many folks a 1911 has Colt's trigger-activated firing pin safety, although there can be other attributes to a Series 80 Colt 1911 besides just the firing pin safety.

Although Kimber has a Series II, aka Swartz, firing pin safety, it's not mechanically identical to Colt's Series 80 firing pin safety.
Kimber's "Swartz" firing pin safety doesn't need to use a special "Series 80" extractor and the Swartz firing pin safety is actuated via the grip safety, not the trigger.

I'm being careful not to abbreviate firing pin safety as there's another part called a firing pin stop which would have the same acronym (FPS). A firing pin stop is yet another part which can have a Series 70 or Series 80 version. Just don't get too confused over things and study up later on all these details if it should matter to anybody.

[DaveInOroValley]

Kimber didn't fix it the first time and they don't know what series it is.
Not exactly brand trust building, innit?

My thoughts exactly!

[Sailormilan2]

Technically, a "Series 70" is a Colt made 1911 that used a Collet style barrel bushing. This bushing used spring tensioned fingers to center the barrel. Instead of the standard solid style bushing. Used by Colt in the 1970s. Hence the term "Series 70". Those spring tension "fingers" were prone to breakage, so the idea was dropped.
But, pretty much everyone uses the term "Series 70" to designate any 1911 without the firing pin block safety. Even if it is not correct.