Fitting Extractor for a 1911

[Jason762]

I need a new extractor to be fitted to my 1911.

I'm taking friends shooting this weekend so I'd really like to have it done by Friday.

Can any of you guys recommend a good guy to file away on it? Yes, I know about that tutorial (and printed it out), but I'd like to watch it being done (if possible) before taking it on for myself.

-Jason

[Jason762]

No recommendations?

[rabagley]

Ask in the gunsmithing forum.

[Army]

Buy a new one, insert it, shoot, be happy.

Unless it was intentially made without the arc and intended to be hand fitted, a new one will fit and function fine right out of the box..

[Jason762]

Buy a new one, insert it, shoot, be happy.

Unless it was intentially made without the arc and intended to be hand fitted, a new one will fit and function fine right out of the box..

It doesn't fit. The firing pin stop won't even go in. Extractor is a Wilson Combat Bulletproof extractor.

[xxdabroxx]

what does the stop fit like when it is out of the slide? Stop to extractor? Can you get it to fit while apart? File slow, take your time.

[zman]

Buy a new one, insert it, shoot, be happy.

Unless it was intentially made without the arc and intended to be hand fitted, a new one will fit and function fine right out of the box..

Which brand/model do you suggest? I would like to stock at least one. Oh and do 9mm and 22LR 1911s use the same extractors as 45acp 1911s?

[Jason762]

Mine in bold

what does the stop fit like when it is out of the slide? Sorry, what? Stop to extractor? Again, sorry what? Can you get it to fit while apart? Yes File slow, take your time. Not willing to do my first extractor on my own. Want to watch & learn then do it on my next extractor (hopefully there won't be a next extractor, but we'll see).

[Army]

Wilsons are drop in.

Check that the pin stop fits the groove. If not, LIGHTLY file or stone the groove until it does.

Use a brass or soft hammer to seat it in the slide. Make sure the groove is slightly past "12:00" so the pin stop will start into the groove easily.

Drop in parts do not require gunsmithing, per say, but occasionally need a little encouragement

[Jason762]

Firing pin stop fits the groove just fine (as it did with and without the Colt MIM extractor).

As-is I can only get the pin stop in far enough to cover half of the firing pin "head". I cannot get it past that.

Do I hammer on it or file down the firing pin stop?

[ojisan]

As-is I can only get the pin stop in far enough to cover half of the firing pin "head". I cannot get it past that.

Be sure the extractor is positioned straight up...if it is twisted to the side, the internal friction is usually too much to allow the plate to fit in...remove plate and make sure the groove in the extractor is vertical, and not too far forwards or back.

Too bad you are not closer...I could show you how.

Keep trying, keep posting...

[Jason762]

As-is I can only get the pin stop in far enough to cover half of the firing pin "head". I cannot get it past that.

Be sure the extractor is positioned straight up...if it is twisted to the side, the internal friction is usually too much to allow the plate to fit in...remove plate and make sure the groove in the extractor is vertical, and not too far forwards or back.

Too bad you are not closer...I could show you how.

Keep trying, keep posting...

Nah. Groove is too small/extractor too big. I tried to mate the stop to the extractor, and it simply won't go no matter what. I'll get the stop halfway up, but no further. It's wedged in so tight, it has to be hammered out.

[ojisan]

Nah. Groove is too small/extractor too big. I tried to mate the stop to the extractor, and it simply won't go no matter what. I'll get the stop halfway up, but no further. It's wedged in so tight, it has to be hammered out.

This is made this way so you can remove metal from the front or rear of the groove to properly position the end of the extractor (front-to-back) at the breech face end.
You need a set of jeweler's files to reach inside the groove to widen it.
In a pinch, you could file the stop edge a bit, and get a new stop later.

The new part is not bad, it is made to be matched to 1911s of various manufacturers and dimensions.
Not every 1911 has all tolerances to spec.

[ar15barrels]

This is made this way so you can remove metal from the front or rear of the groove to properly position the end of the extractor (front-to-back) at the breech face end.

How is the "proper" front-back dimension determined?
Brass fit?

[ojisan]

How is the "proper" front-back dimension determined?
Brass fit?

Yes.
Get the hook tip centered in the extractor groove on the case, when the case is pushed solid up against the breech face.
If you get it too tight, some brass won't slide up under it, or the hook will not be all the way down in the extractor groove on the case.
Too loose...I haven't set (messed)one up this way yet, but way too loose could push the case away from the breech face, reducing the firing pin strike energy. Depending on tolerances, you could have fail to fire.

Welcome back, Ban-Man!