Fitting a 1911 Extractor

[MikeRush]

Hello everyone,

I know that dumb questions do exist, so here goes one-

I have been reading everything I can find on fitting 1911 extractors. My new extractor fits the firing pin stop well, and the firing pin stop (a fitted oversize EGW) fits the slide well, but I can't seem to get all three components to agree. I am pretty sure I need to file the FPS groove in the extractor deeper, however the Brazos guide to fitting extractors suggests I should remove material from the FPS. That seems counterproductive to me as the FPS fits the slide perfectly. I just want to know if I am breaking some kind of 1911 commandment by filing the groove on the extractor deeper.

My last USPSA match I took second place in single stack despite 2 time consuming failures to eject- I really want to see what I can do when the gun runs.

Thanks for any and all ideas!

[feederic]

I am not sure you are breaking a commandment by filing the extractor. I had the same issue when installing a new Aftec and FPS, I filed down the right edge of the FPS and it worked out fine.

Another SoCal shooter! Were you at Pala?

[feederic]

Dup!

Edited August 1, 2012 by feederic

[OperationHitFactor]

You fit the firing pin stop. The extractor needs to be able to pivot on the FPS. The reason you don't file on the extractor is if you don't do it perfectly it will break or crack. Hate to be blunt, but 99% chance you won't do it right. FPS $12-20 if you screw up, extractor $50-$80 if you screw it up.

[MikeRush]

Thanks for the replies! So if I understand correctly, I file down the firing pin stop enough for the extractor to fit, even though it is the extractor that is protruding into the fps groove. This will make the factory extractor too loose, so I can't use it as a spare. The firing pin stop can be loose if the extractor is not inserted- correct?

P.s. hello feederic

I didn't Get to make it out to Pala- I am recovering from a broken toe and doctor said I shouldn't run on it. I should be good to go for the match at the end of this month. I usually shoot the rainbow combat shoot as well as the Thursday night matches at iron sights.

[OperationHitFactor]

I just read the Brazos extractor fitting article, which is very good. He even covers the where and how to fit the extractor. If I were you I'd follow this advice, unless it's an Aftec then follow the included instructions.

Edited August 2, 2012 by OperationHitFactor

[Pat Miles]

Here is Bob's article on fitting and tuning an extractor.

http://www.brazoscustom.com/magart/0811.htm

Pat

[MikeRush]

Thanks again for the responses! I now feel comfortable that I know what I need to do. I had found a Brazos article http://www.brazoscustom.com/magart/0609.htm Fitting a New Extractor- and it only mentioned the FPS side of things. The article provided "Get your extractor right the first time" is a little more in depth (and newer to boot) and addressed the questions I had. I wonder what it would take to get the new article to show up as the top result in google- the old article was helpful, but not as thorough as the new one in my view.

I really appreciate the feedback! I only have one more match with the POS kimber extractor (which works, but has to be retensioned every 200 or so rounds or I get FTEjects).

[JCReid]

The way to do it is fit the FPS to the slide, then fit the extractor to that.