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tuning a 1911 extractor

staind460
how do i go about tuning the extractor on my SA mil spec 1911?

would like to learn how to do it myself to save a lil bit of money plus i am interested in getting into basic gunsmithing
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  • perry shooter
    Hello I don't know how much you know about a 1911/1911A1 The extractor has alot to do on how your Pistol feeds as well as ejects.The best way to Tune is to take the slide off the frame. take the fireing pin out by removeing fireing pin retainer this also holds the extractor in . With the slide held upside down take a round and slide it along the breach face as it goes under the HOOK of the extractor it should just flex the the shank of the Extractor a very small amount and hold the case when you turn it back right side up. It there is too much flexing /tension there will be a problem in feeding the round out of the magazine and into the chamber of barrel. If there is not enough tension then after fireing as the slide moves back the empty case will fall down before the ejector can flip it out of the ejection port. The bottom edge of where the round contacts the extractor can be smoothed /rounded and the tension can be changed by Bending /Forming the extractor over it's entire lenght. hope this helps Karl quote:"PRAISE THE HARDBALL GUN"
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  • heavyiron
    Hi staind460,

    Here is an excerpt from

    http://forum.m1911.org/index.php


    Extractor Tuning Tips

    By Bill Wilson

    A well fit extractor is essential to the reliability of any M-1911 pistol. The following guidelines apply to fitting a new extractor, or properly tuning the one you have in your gun.


    1. Correct Tension
    With the slide taken off the frame and with the barrel removed, slip the rim of a LOADED cartridge under the extractor hook and position it so that the extractor is gripping the case at the center line. You should now be able to lightly shake the slide in any direction, without the cartridge falling off. If this test is unsuccessful, you will need to adjust the tension.

    For tension adjustment, place aprox. 1/2" of the tip of the extractor into the extractor channel and apply just enough pressure to slightly bend the extractor. Be careful, a little goes a long way!

    Do not put more tension than needed to perform this simple test - too much tension will result in feeding malfunctions whereas too little tension can cause failure to extract and/or erratic ejection.

    2. Positioning of the Extractor
    The locator pad (the radiused lug behind the extractor groove) determines at what point the bottom of the extractor groove contacts the rim of the cartridge and puts tension on it.
    Slide the rim of an EMPTY case under the extractor hook and position the case so that the extractor hook grips it at the center line. Now pull the case downwards approx. .075 - .1000"; there should still be tension, enough to keep the empty case in position even when the slide is lightly shaken. The same test performed with a loaded round should result in the cartridge falling off. This equals roughly to 1-1.5 lbs tension on the case.

    If you have correct tension on the case when it is centered on the breechface, as described in (1) above and little to no tension at all, with the case being pulled down approx. .075 - .100", you need to bring the extractor groove closer to the firing pin hole.

    This is done by removing a small amount of material at a time, from the locator pad, while maintaining the radius. Constantly check for correct tension, so that you don't take too much material off. See sketch below.

    3. Fitting the Firing Pin Stop
    The fit of the Firing Pin Stop to the groove at the rear of the extractor is crucial to the correct extractor positioning. If there is a loose fit, then the extractor will move or twist, causing inconsistent ejection.

    With the extractor installed, the firing pin stop should slide into position using normal finger pressure. If the firing stop binds (when installing a new extractor), you will have to reducve the width of the firing pin stop, by removing material from its right side, where it contacts the extractor.

    Remove only a few thousandths of an inch at a time, while being careful to keep the right side parallel to the left side. When correctly installed, the firing pin stop will fit snugly into place, which prevents the extractor from twisting.

    You should be able to find some useful information on this website.

    Regards,

    Heavyiron[8D]




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