whats the life expectancy of the extractor?

mr bolo · February 10, 2018, 11:41 PM

How often have you had to replace a worn or broken extractor?

what was the round count?

Ive never had to replace an extractor yet on any semi auto handgun

hemiram · February 11, 2018, 12:42 AM

I've had a couple of them that failed almost out of the box. One was a .22LR "FTL Auto-Nine", which was just a total dud. The other one was an S&W 59 that failed about 60 rounds after I opened it The claw just disappeared. S&W fixed it and I soon sold it off, I just didn't trust it. My trust came back later on, and I have a police trade in 5906 now that I totally trust with my life.

Other than those two, I haven't replaced an extractor yet. I had to replace the spring in my old EAA Witness .45, which broke about 1000 rounds in.

sigarms228 · February 11, 2018, 12:52 AM

Well it depends on the pistol and design and quality of the extractor. Todd Green did endurance tests of the HK P30 and HK45. The test ended at 91,000 rounds for the P30 and the extractor was original. The test ended at 50,000 rounds for the HK45 and the extractor was original.

Classic P series SIGs also have shown that the extractor lasts tens of thousands of rounds also with recommended replacement interval of 20,000 rounds. The one exception was when SIG first made the P220 with the stainless steel slide it originally had internal extractor which could be problematic. SIG then changed it to external extractor.

In general on compact and full size pistols the extractor seems to be a very long life component.

Extractors can be damaged if a round is manually loaded in the chamber and then the slide released but I would consider that an abuse issue.

BigJimP · February 11, 2018, 01:37 AM

I have only broken one....it was on my wilson combat full sized gun in 9mm....at about 8 yrs old and 175,000 rds....

Wilson insisted I retun gun to the factory in Arkansas...( they repaired it and i got gun back in about 10 calendar days...)....100% paid by Wilson.

Wilson rep told me they expect 250,000 rds out of their extractors.

FrankenMauser · February 11, 2018, 01:52 AM

I've never had an extractor fail.

Even the 130,000+ round Buckmark is still running on the original extractor (and plunger and spring). ...As is the 'brother'/'sister' pistol that's at an estimated 87k rounds.

tallball · February 11, 2018, 04:18 AM

I have dozens of handguns. Some of them I've owned for 30 years. I have yet to replace an extractor.

1goodshot · February 11, 2018, 06:12 AM

broke the extractor on a old Glock 22 after around 20000 rounds

Ibmikey · February 11, 2018, 07:37 AM

There is no true answer to your question due to the many variables involved. Narrow it to a particular firearm or extractor style in a firearm ( some change through the production life of a weapon) and it can be evaluated, otherwise my answer would be “ I don’t know”.

mr bolo · February 11, 2018, 10:50 AM

I have spare extractors for my M1911A1's but never needed to use them, but I guess it's still good to have a spare extractor in your repair / spare parts kit.

rodfac · February 11, 2018, 11:28 AM

In guns that I have personally owned, I have shot Remington Rand WWll vintage 1911's as well as Colt, Ruger and Sigs and have broken one (1) extractor, and one (1) front sight on a Colt in 50+ years of shooting them. A conservative estimate would be in excess of 120,000 rounds. Pretty reliable in regards to parts failure problems.

The front sight on the Colt Combat Commander in .45 wasn't really a broken part as it had only come loose and needed to be re-staked. If you count my two sons, that number would be over 175,000 rounds in 1911's.

If you add in Sigs, Berettas & Glocks, add another 25,000 rounds to the above number.

HTH's, Rod

Damon555 · February 11, 2018, 01:10 PM

I've worn out a few on 22 lr pistols.....but haven't had one fail on any other pistol.....yet

Arkhog · February 11, 2018, 01:56 PM

This is one of the most original questions that I have seen in a long time. I have been a gun owner for 45 years. I have never broken an extractor. Yet.

rock185 · February 11, 2018, 02:26 PM

I've replaced two chipped extractors on the German SIG X-5. I was a PD armorer and replaced a couple chipped Glock extractors. Replaced the sometimes problematic internal extractor on an officer's stainless slide SIG P220. The Stainless slide P220 SIG internal extractor is the same extractor used in the original German X-5s. Extractor design has now been changed in both pistols.

Lexspeed · February 12, 2018, 08:49 AM

As already pointed out in posts above, there is no simply answer to this question. I replaced a badly chipped extractor on an ERMA Luger KPG68 and dramatically improved the pistols functioning. I have also replaced a number of worn extractors that I suspected were contributing to cycling performance problems (e.g. Browning Hi-Power). Was the worn extractor replacement absolutely the culprit? Perhaps, but I am not really positive. But, I at least ruled it out with replacement. I have a feeling many pistol parts get blamed and replaced when the actual issue was something else (i.e. mag spring, ammo type, etc). Regardless, as to when the extractor must be replaced is up for debate.

hdwhit · February 12, 2018, 09:17 AM

Never had to replace an extractor. Even the one on the 1911 I inherited from my grandfather that went through World War II and Korea is still working.

Bartholomew Roberts · February 12, 2018, 09:46 AM

Broke an extractor on a Browning Hi-Power at around 37,000 rounds? I have a more detailed number in my shooting log. In this case, there were a number of factors at work. The barrel in question was the original factory barrel and had been left in a Texas garage during the summer for six-seven months unattended early in its life. It had some light surface rust when it was put back into action (the chamber may have been affected also). On top of that, the Hi-Power had been so reliable that I had taken to only boresnaking it, and even that only occasionally.

Between age, wear, and crud buildup, eventually cases started to get stickier. Didn’t notice the problem until the original extractor broke. Instead of breaking the replacement extractors kept slipping off the case rim occasionally until the whole barrel was given a vigorous cleaning (took a while to diagnose during which time I purchased multiple extractors and extractor springs trying to correct the problem).

A gunsmith had tuned the original extractor for reliability. Whatever he did worked because it kept on pulling cases out of the chamber with 100% reliability until the hook snapped off.

RickB · February 12, 2018, 11:18 AM

I had to replace the extractors on two G.I. pistols, a 1918 M1911 and a 1942 M1911A1; don't know the round counts, but the guns were about 85 and 60 years old, respectively.
The extractors were "worn out" rather than "broken".
A new 1911 extractor, that I'd bought from a respected source, lost its hook after a few hundred rounds.
The replacement has survived a few thousand rounds.
I've never had to replace a multi-piece, pivoting extractor, but I don't have tens of thousands of rounds on any extractors of that type.

Ignition Override · February 12, 2018, 02:04 PM

Has anybody shot a few thousand rounds with Steel-cased ammo in a Sig P229 or M11 A1 or CZ PO1 (compact)? Steel-cased ammo has cheaper commercial steel than what is used in our high-quality handguns.

I'm 62 years old and used thousands of steel rounds in Mini 14, 30, SKS, AKs with no damage. This is one subject with which many people simply repeat anything they read/hear.

The topic here is Extractors. We're very familiar with the other possible issues (yawn...most people can Not differentiate between an issue with the case, vs. the bullet).

Chui · February 12, 2018, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignition Override

Has anybody shot a few thousand rounds with Steel-cased ammo in a Sig P229 or M11 A1 or CZ PO1 (compact)? Steel-cased ammo has cheaper commercial steel than what is used in our high-quality handguns.

I'm 62 years old and used thousands of steel rounds in Mini 14, 30, SKS, AKs with no damage. This is one subject with which many people simply repeat anything they read/hear.

The topic here is Extractors. We're very familiar with the other possible issues (yawn...).

Depends. Nowadays there is a lot of MIM (metal injection molded) Extractors. They have a very thin hard case and the rest is relatively porous, soft and lacking grain structure. So I would imagine, as a mechanical engineer, I would have to modify my existing Preventative Maintenance schedule if I were to use steel cases ammo.

Why?

Obturation. The Cu-Nickel case expands and then returns, more or less to its original dimension. Steel won't do that and places more stress on your extractor.

I do use Apex Extractors in all of my Glocks. If I lived back in the Detroit Metro Area I'd have CNC tooled 4140 alloy Extractors in all of my pistols (as many machine shops would do it for a price).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mr bolo · February 12, 2018, 05:02 PM

I only shoot steel cased ammo from my Com Bloc pistols that were designed for it

like the Tokarev or the Makarov , they commonly used copper washed steel cases in those types.

I dont hear of worn out or broken extractors on those type very often

Ignition Override · February 14, 2018, 12:44 AM

Chui: Nobody else seems to know about the different materials used in some modern extractors. Or they don't find it worth describing.

Thanks for the info from an actual engineering perspective.

100% of the ammo I'm using in two of these newer guns is US-made, simply to test reliability.
The 2,500 rds. of Brown Bear was bought simply as long-term reserve in case of a *Possible* (*note*) future tariff or ban on imported Russian ammo. Stored 7.62x39, very much more.

February 10, 2018, 11:41 PM	#1
mr bolo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2012 Posts: 432	whats the life expectancy of the extractor? How often have you had to replace a worn or broken extractor? what was the round count? Ive never had to replace an extractor yet on any semi auto handgun

February 11, 2018, 12:52 AM	#3
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	Well it depends on the pistol and design and quality of the extractor. Todd Green did endurance tests of the HK P30 and HK45. The test ended at 91,000 rounds for the P30 and the extractor was original. The test ended at 50,000 rounds for the HK45 and the extractor was original. Classic P series SIGs also have shown that the extractor lasts tens of thousands of rounds also with recommended replacement interval of 20,000 rounds. The one exception was when SIG first made the P220 with the stainless steel slide it originally had internal extractor which could be problematic. SIG then changed it to external extractor. In general on compact and full size pistols the extractor seems to be a very long life component. Extractors can be damaged if a round is manually loaded in the chamber and then the slide released but I would consider that an abuse issue. __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin Last edited by sigarms228; February 11, 2018 at 01:10 AM.

February 11, 2018, 01:52 AM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I've never had an extractor fail. Even the 130,000+ round Buckmark is still running on the original extractor (and plunger and spring). ...As is the 'brother'/'sister' pistol that's at an estimated 87k rounds. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

February 11, 2018, 11:28 AM	#10
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,624	In guns that I have personally owned, I have shot Remington Rand WWll vintage 1911's as well as Colt, Ruger and Sigs and have broken one (1) extractor, and one (1) front sight on a Colt in 50+ years of shooting them. A conservative estimate would be in excess of 120,000 rounds. Pretty reliable in regards to parts failure problems. The front sight on the Colt Combat Commander in .45 wasn't really a broken part as it had only come loose and needed to be re-staked. If you count my two sons, that number would be over 175,000 rounds in 1911's. If you add in Sigs, Berettas & Glocks, add another 25,000 rounds to the above number. HTH's, Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

February 11, 2018, 02:26 PM	#13
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	I've replaced two chipped extractors on the German SIG X-5. I was a PD armorer and replaced a couple chipped Glock extractors. Replaced the sometimes problematic internal extractor on an officer's stainless slide SIG P220. The Stainless slide P220 SIG internal extractor is the same extractor used in the original German X-5s. Extractor design has now been changed in both pistols. __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

February 11, 2018, 12:42 AM	#2
hemiram Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Location: Toledo, ohio Posts: 762	I've had a couple of them that failed almost out of the box. One was a .22LR "FTL Auto-Nine", which was just a total dud. The other one was an S&W 59 that failed about 60 rounds after I opened it The claw just disappeared. S&W fixed it and I soon sold it off, I just didn't trust it. My trust came back later on, and I have a police trade in 5906 now that I totally trust with my life. Other than those two, I haven't replaced an extractor yet. I had to replace the spring in my old EAA Witness .45, which broke about 1000 rounds in.

February 11, 2018, 01:37 AM	#4
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I have only broken one....it was on my wilson combat full sized gun in 9mm....at about 8 yrs old and 175,000 rds.... Wilson insisted I retun gun to the factory in Arkansas...( they repaired it and i got gun back in about 10 calendar days...)....100% paid by Wilson. Wilson rep told me they expect 250,000 rds out of their extractors.

February 11, 2018, 04:18 AM	#6
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I have dozens of handguns. Some of them I've owned for 30 years. I have yet to replace an extractor.

February 11, 2018, 06:12 AM	#7
1goodshot Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2001 Location: chandler,az Posts: 929	broke the extractor on a old Glock 22 after around 20000 rounds

February 11, 2018, 07:37 AM	#8
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	There is no true answer to your question due to the many variables involved. Narrow it to a particular firearm or extractor style in a firearm ( some change through the production life of a weapon) and it can be evaluated, otherwise my answer would be “ I don’t know”.

February 11, 2018, 10:50 AM	#9
mr bolo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2012 Posts: 432	I have spare extractors for my M1911A1's but never needed to use them, but I guess it's still good to have a spare extractor in your repair / spare parts kit.

February 11, 2018, 01:10 PM	#11
Damon555 Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2012 Posts: 384	I've worn out a few on 22 lr pistols.....but haven't had one fail on any other pistol.....yet

February 11, 2018, 01:56 PM	#12
Arkhog Member Join Date: August 8, 2006 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 99	This is one of the most original questions that I have seen in a long time. I have been a gun owner for 45 years. I have never broken an extractor. Yet.

February 12, 2018, 08:49 AM	#14
Lexspeed Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2015 Location: Southern IL Posts: 152	As already pointed out in posts above, there is no simply answer to this question. I replaced a badly chipped extractor on an ERMA Luger KPG68 and dramatically improved the pistols functioning. I have also replaced a number of worn extractors that I suspected were contributing to cycling performance problems (e.g. Browning Hi-Power). Was the worn extractor replacement absolutely the culprit? Perhaps, but I am not really positive. But, I at least ruled it out with replacement. I have a feeling many pistol parts get blamed and replaced when the actual issue was something else (i.e. mag spring, ammo type, etc). Regardless, as to when the extractor must be replaced is up for debate.

February 12, 2018, 09:17 AM	#15
hdwhit Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2017 Posts: 1,011	Never had to replace an extractor. Even the one on the 1911 I inherited from my grandfather that went through World War II and Korea is still working.

February 12, 2018, 09:46 AM	#16
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	Broke an extractor on a Browning Hi-Power at around 37,000 rounds? I have a more detailed number in my shooting log. In this case, there were a number of factors at work. The barrel in question was the original factory barrel and had been left in a Texas garage during the summer for six-seven months unattended early in its life. It had some light surface rust when it was put back into action (the chamber may have been affected also). On top of that, the Hi-Power had been so reliable that I had taken to only boresnaking it, and even that only occasionally. Between age, wear, and crud buildup, eventually cases started to get stickier. Didn’t notice the problem until the original extractor broke. Instead of breaking the replacement extractors kept slipping off the case rim occasionally until the whole barrel was given a vigorous cleaning (took a while to diagnose during which time I purchased multiple extractors and extractor springs trying to correct the problem). A gunsmith had tuned the original extractor for reliability. Whatever he did worked because it kept on pulling cases out of the chamber with 100% reliability until the hook snapped off.

February 12, 2018, 11:18 AM	#17
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I had to replace the extractors on two G.I. pistols, a 1918 M1911 and a 1942 M1911A1; don't know the round counts, but the guns were about 85 and 60 years old, respectively. The extractors were "worn out" rather than "broken". A new 1911 extractor, that I'd bought from a respected source, lost its hook after a few hundred rounds. The replacement has survived a few thousand rounds. I've never had to replace a multi-piece, pivoting extractor, but I don't have tens of thousands of rounds on any extractors of that type. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

February 12, 2018, 02:04 PM	#18
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,887	Has anybody shot a few thousand rounds with Steel-cased ammo in a Sig P229 or M11 A1 or CZ PO1 (compact)? Steel-cased ammo has cheaper commercial steel than what is used in our high-quality handguns. I'm 62 years old and used thousands of steel rounds in Mini 14, 30, SKS, AKs with no damage. This is one subject with which many people simply repeat anything they read/hear. The topic here is Extractors. We're very familiar with the other possible issues (yawn...most people can Not differentiate between an issue with the case, vs. the bullet). Last edited by Ignition Override; February 14, 2018 at 12:37 AM.

February 12, 2018, 05:02 PM	#20
mr bolo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2012 Posts: 432	I only shoot steel cased ammo from my Com Bloc pistols that were designed for it like the Tokarev or the Makarov , they commonly used copper washed steel cases in those types. I dont hear of worn out or broken extractors on those type very often

February 14, 2018, 12:44 AM	#21
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,887	Chui: Nobody else seems to know about the different materials used in some modern extractors. Or they don't find it worth describing. Thanks for the info from an actual engineering perspective. 100% of the ammo I'm using in two of these newer guns is US-made, simply to test reliability. The 2,500 rds. of Brown Bear was bought simply as long-term reserve in case of a Possible (note) future tariff or ban on imported Russian ammo. Stored 7.62x39, very much more. Last edited by Ignition Override; February 14, 2018 at 12:50 AM.