installing a new internal extractor in a 1911

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darko

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If I purchase a new extractor from Ed Brown is it a drop-in item? Is this something I can do myself or is fitting/smithing required?

My gun likes to throw brass in my face every one or two mags and after searching online I found that people were switching to Ed Brown extractors and the problems were resolved.

I haven't taken a 1911 apart beyond the normal field stripping... am I in for a major task here?
 
cornsidering the 1911 provides it's own tools , it REALLY depends on how far you can do a detail strip and be confident- there's a site with pictures on it somewhere ( probably surplus guns) that shows everything- i should think given lots of time , you should be able to do it- you can always take it to a smith if you get into trouble
 
I don't doubt that I can remove and install it myself... what Im questioning is whether adjustments and 'fitting' need to take place when installing a new extractor?

If its a simple re/re then I'll do it myself... however, if adjustments and various fitting/testing is required I'd rather let a pro handle it.
 
First, changing the extractor should not be a problem. I have done several over the years & they have all been drop in changes.

You state that you are getting brass in your face. The 1911 has several areas that control the extraction of brass. The extractor pulls the brass from the chamber by gripping the case rim. As the slide comes back the brass hits the ejector ( on the frame ). The ejector is what kicks the brass out of the ejection port.
Where it lands is controlled by the ejector angle, the force of the slide recoiling and the size of the ejection port.

I am not a gunsmith : So the above is an opinion only. My point however is that the extractor is only part of the equation.
 
The 'brass in the forehead' ejection only happens on the last round of the mag, and not every mag.

Reading forums for my specific 1911 I found that the fix for one or two people was changing the extractor.

Why does it only happen on the last round?
 
Just a guess as to why only one the last round.
Here goes.
When there are rounds in the mag the empty brass will bounce of the round in the the top of mag on the way out. That does not happen with the mag empty. So perhaps the angle of the empty case is different with an empty mag.

The slide will also lock open on the last round but by then the ejection cycle should be complete.
Again, I am not a gunsmith though.
 
Generally, you'll know if the part is a "drop-in" if you don't have failure to feed problems. You can also visually inspect the extractor to ensure the proper angles on its surfaces. There are a couple of angles on the extractor that may have to be adjusted if your rounds don't feed or eject properly.

If and when a gun experiences ejection problems, extractor tuning can be the least of your problems. Given the right extractor tension and angles, where the brass goes is also affected your ejector angles and whether the ejected case hits your slide on the way out. Brass flying in your face may indicate that it is striking the slide as it is ejected. Try a different mag and change your recoil spring to a new one as well, just eliminate those as a potential source.

If this problem only occurs with certain mags and you have verified that it is so, consider replacing those mags before you start swapping other gun parts!
 
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