Smith/Wesson 1911 ?
- Thread starter RHall
- Start date
Actually, there's not too much to removing the traditional extractor on a 1911... with slide off the pistol, depress the firing pin protruding thru the firing pin stop from the rear... slide the firing pin stop out from the bottom of the side... the extractor then can be pulled out from the slide from the rear... pretty simple really...
hardballer
Member
I had the same curiosity awhile back and i found info on the net on several forums (THR, m1911.org). But the debate tends to develop into a "new design vs traditional design" rather than a "pro vs con". On the other hand, I don't see too many folks complaining about the external extractor as it looks easier to maintain and adjust, but some say it has more failures (loses tension quicker). Read for yourself. It seems only the high-end (S&W, Kimber, Dan Wesson) pistols feature this and it is marketed as an improvement to the 1911.
For casual shooters, I suspect there is no difference but perhaps someone here has first hand experience and can elaborate further.
hb
For casual shooters, I suspect there is no difference but perhaps someone here has first hand experience and can elaborate further.
hb
Actually, I think Star started it all back in the day. But they probably copied it from someone else too. - dan
Ive never owned one but had the chance to fondle one that had the crimson Trace grips. Everything looked and felt okay execpt i was very disapointed with the slide to frame fit. I know it doesnt bother some people but part of a pistol being accurized is no left to right or up and down movement between the slide and frame. Theres an old debate that is still on going that loose fits are better for reliability as opposed to tight fits but that's just a myth that stems from the early days of 1911's including the milsurps that were all rattly but were extremely reliable. Anyways, for a 1911 of that price I would have thought that the fit would have been better. Its easily fixed though but if you've never peened your own slide before it would be best to send it off to a gunsmith. I personaly would try it on a Norc to practice but I wouldnt trust myself yet to do it on an expensive ( over 1000$ ) 1911.
Last edited:
Browning's subsequent design to his 1911 was the High Power and that has an external extractor. If you believe he's a genius then the external extractor must be better.....
Smith's been using external extractors for a LOT of years, going back to the 50's methinks. So the external extractor is a proven design.
Internal extractors? Well I think that in the last hundred years we've learned how to make them work pretty well so the final choice seems to be up to you. Which do you like better?
then the external extractor must be better.....Smith's been using external extractors for a LOT of years, going back to the 50's methinks. So the external extractor is a proven design.
Internal extractors? Well I think that in the last hundred years we've learned how to make them work pretty well so the final choice seems to be up to you. Which do you like better?
"Browning's subsequent design to his 1911 was the High Power and that has an external extractor. If you believe he's a genius then the external extractor must be better....."
or maybe that was Suave (sp?). - dan
or maybe that was Suave (sp?). - dan
They both work. I personaly think you should be more worried about other components as opposed to the extractor. I mean, it is an important part but both in and out have been tested and proven.
May I be bold and even suggest that you look at getting a different brand of 1911? So many other companies out there that have been making 1911's far longer then S&W has. Springfield Armory, Dlask, Kimber, STI, Dan Wesson (CZ). Depending on your budget, then there's the cadilac's like Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, Novak etc.. So mamy... even Norinco to be honest.
For example, Sig decided to make their own line of 1911's and from what Ive been told they are awful. I would spend the money on a manufacturer that are known for their 1911's.
Just my 2 cents.
HAPPY NEW YEAR by the way.
May I be bold and even suggest that you look at getting a different brand of 1911? So many other companies out there that have been making 1911's far longer then S&W has. Springfield Armory, Dlask, Kimber, STI, Dan Wesson (CZ). Depending on your budget, then there's the cadilac's like Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, Novak etc.. So mamy... even Norinco to be honest
.For example, Sig decided to make their own line of 1911's and from what Ive been told they are awful. I would spend the money on a manufacturer that are known for their 1911's.
Just my 2 cents.
HAPPY NEW YEAR by the way.
External extractor is tensioned by a small coil spring, internal is basically a piece of bent spring steel. I do think external are more duarable in the long run.......
On that S&W 1911, I'd be more concerned about the cheap MIM safety and slide catch....hammer, sear, disconect is likely MIM as well. Most folks don't have any problems with MIM parts, but I don't want to see them on a $1000 gun
On that S&W 1911, I'd be more concerned about the cheap MIM safety and slide catch....hammer, sear, disconect is likely MIM as well. Most folks don't have any problems with MIM parts, but I don't want to see them on a $1000 gun
