External 1911 extractor.

[dahermit]

Dehermit: I've owned a half dozen or more 1911's with the original internal extractor and have had to tweek or replace 3-4 of them. Breakage primarily. But have had zero problems with a Sig 1911 RCS fitted with an external extractor, nor with any of my other 4 Sig's from the DA/SA "P" series. I'd opine that it's a better design in that regard, at least in my examples. YMMv.

To be honest, I am convinced that an external extractor with its coil spring is likely an improvement (less problematic, more reliable) over the original design, internal extractor. However, I am such a traditionalist (an emotional response, not a logical one), and the fact that I would not likely every carry a 1911 for defense, I don't think I would ever buy a 1911 with an external extractor...but then again, Tom Selleck and his gun in the Jessie Stone series may have had an influece on me if I saw one in good condition for sale.

[Jim Watson]

I've got upper slides/barrel assemblies in 9mm & .38 Super for a Colt Combat Commander that work flawlessly with the original .45 ACP Ejector. Slide lock back sometimes doesn't happen, but they run very well, as good as with the original .45 upper. These same uppers work equally well with a Ruger CMD in .45. Any thoughts? Just curious....Rod

The Commander was designed as a 9mm. When they brought it out in .45 they stayed with the same width ejector. Length varies with caliber but is pretty forgiving.

[totaldla]

I'm going to watch the Jesse Stone series again because Jesse's gun was a bone stock Colt Commander.
Unless there is some print media showing an external extractor, the premise of the OP question is false.

[RickB]

imfdb says S&W SW1911SC, "Gunsite model".

[dahermit]

Originally Posted by totaldla

I'm going to watch the Jesse Stone series again because Jesse's gun was a bone stock Colt Commander.
Unless there is some print media showing an external extractor, the premise of the OP question is false.

If you read my original post carefully, I did not offer any premise...only seeking information. Here is what I asked:

So to the point, how frequently are extractors found with too little tension? Is the S&W "external" extractor a better idea/improvement? What has your experience been?

The thing about Jessy Stone's gun was just an aside that got me to thinking about 1911 extractors.

[Alan0354]

I am no expert, but I do a little gun smithing on my own guns, I don't see advantage or disadvantage of external or internal extractor, it's all individual AND more importantly, depends on adjusting.

I have Colt Gold Cup that is internal extractor, it's definitely not inferior to my S&W659. In fact, after adjustment and polishing the ejector port, the shell flew out much farther than the 659 and not tumbling when coming out.

If you were to doing your own modification on the extractor, I would buy a new extractor to do all the adjusting and keep the original one untouched. So if you screw up the new one, you can always go back to the old one and you're good to go.

I've seen video in adjusting the tension on both kinds, you can easily find those.