1911's Internal versus External Extractors

Are 1911 External Extractors

  • An improvement in design

    Votes: 8 21.6%

  • A problem/worse design

    Votes: 15 40.5%

  • No real difference

    Votes: 14 37.8%
  • Total voters
    37
enfielder

enfielder

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I don't think this has been discussed before.

What is the consensus here of the external extractors on the 1911's. I have read on other forums that they are less effective and more prone to stoppages than the old school internal extractors.

Anyone have experience with them? Any general comments?
 
I read that external extractors on Kimbers started to break around the 5000 rounds mark. These extractors were only made to lower the overall cost of the guns. I think Kimber didn't beleive in the KISS system.
 
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External extractor is the better design. Even SIG switched over to them on their P series (P220 still uses internal extractor though).
 
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I don't claim to be the ne plus ultra guru of auto pistols, but my thoughts are;

1) It would seem that on every autopistol, the extractor must be viewed as a wear point, and during it's service life it will need replacing.

2) During it's use, the extractor is bound to be subject to wear and abuse. The external extractors seem to be able to compensate slightly for wear and tolerate abuse better.

On a match pistol that is inspected regularly, I don't see how an external extractor is a must have item. Having a second fitted extractor isn't a huge burden. The same can not be said for a service gun.
 
It's funny how the internet gurus see change. When the BHP changed from internal to external design there was do nashing of teeth, same with the SIG P226. But everyone on the internat has a horror story about 1911 external extractors! I have run both types of extractor on my range Kimbers. There is no difference in service life or reliability.

The same is true of the so called "weak" MIM parts. I have replaced far more original COLT parts on our first fleet of range guns, than on the current "substandard by internet guru" Kimber guns.
 
Check out 1911forum.com
Lots of info and range reports under the Kimber section about both.
Looks like Kimber is switching back to internal. Some guys on that forum have sent there external in to Kimber for extracter problems and have had there upper changed out for an internal.
 
ottawaguy said:
Check out 1911forum.com
Lots of info and range reports under the Kimber section about both.
Looks like Kimber is switching back to internal. Some guys on that forum have sent there external in to Kimber for extracter problems and have had there upper changed out for an internal.
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You're right, i did read this thread too...
 
That reminds me of the external extractor on my H&K P7M8 which decided to launch itself into space one day never to return to earth again. You can imagine what fun I had getting a another extractor for this model. I like the internal extractors on my Colt and Springfield just fine. Never lost one of them in spite of having used them for almost some 4 decades. The Colt that is.
 
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ottawaguy said:
Check out 1911forum.com
Lots of info and range reports under the Kimber section about both.
Looks like Kimber is switching back to internal. Some guys on that forum have sent there external in to Kimber for extracter problems and have had there upper changed out for an internal.
Click to expand...

Yes, and if you look at the glock forums there are lots of guys with KBs and if you look at the SIG forum there are lots of guys having extractor problems etc. The problem is that folks want to blame the change for a performance problem rather than look at potential QC issues. It is probably easier for Kimber to just give them what they think they want. I also notice that there are lots of very happy S&W 1911 owners, and they use an external extractor too.
 
I doubt that unless your dunking your pistol in dirt everyday the internal/external will make a difference in any reliability.

External is easier to swap out for replacement.


However 1911 guns run by MEU-SOC, MARSOC, and USASOC all have internal...
 
texdores said:
That reminds me of the external extractor on my H&K P7M8 which decided to launch itself into space one day never to return to earth again. You can imagine what fun I had getting a another extractor for this model. I like the internal extractors on my Colt and Springfield just fine. Never lost one of them in spite of having used them for almost some 4 decades. The Colt that is.
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I've read that the P7 will extract even if the extractor is missing. Did you find this to be true, or did you not shoot it until it was replaced?
 
I had a kimber for a short time with the external extractor which was horrible, ended up selling the gun after a month...but i have heard great things about the S&W which has the external as well
 
To: Tapedeck74. Good question. Yes, the P7 kept on functioning even without the extractor. And I kept on using it until I had the new extractor. Frankly I don't recall if it was working 100% or not. It was about three years ago and I didn't pay much attention as long as I could shoot the pistol. Sure does get hot after 100 rds. of rapid fire!!!
 
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