The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: TSB on September 20, 2008, 08:50:35 PM
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Question!
Is S&W the only pistol maker still using external extractors on their 1911 pistols? If so, why? The overwhelming majority has stayed (or returned to) the internal type. I've a PARA with the PXT and have never had a round FTF or FTE yet.
While on active duty, I don't believe I ever had a problem with an Colt 1911A1 either. I guarantee those guns probably had fewer than 100 rounds through them before we got to play with 'em! My daughters "Meathead" had a heck of time with his Smith today! It does shoot straight, when it shoots!
Tim
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Why? It's CHEAP to make! There's less machining, and the extractor itself is basically a piece of stamped out sheet metal. I believe I saw another 1911 clone with an external extractor but can't remember what kind it was. I also heard that dirt gets into them easier since there's so much exposed. My experience with non-1911s with external extractors backs that up. Some guns will have problems if they get a grain of sand in there. It more of a PITA to pull the extractor off and clean it out too.
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Llama has external extractors. My Kimber BP Ten II has one. (They're a PITA to take out, but a little easier to get back into place right.)
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Yea, they would be cheaper to fabricate but S&W is one of the priciest out of the box models on the market. Personally, I've never been a fan of their autoloader line of guns. I suppose there is an arguement for both designs but when your paying a grand for a supposed "quality" firearm, I would expect a little more.
Walt,
Llama ain't around any more, they went OOB in 1999 and all due respect to your Kimber, like my PARA, it's a basic pistol with no frills.....
Tim
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I think the external extractors are much easier in the manufacturing process...much less hand work! Of course, the whole Kimber "experience" external extractors was a huge cluster-F, but I have never had a bit of trouble with my S&W GUNSITE 1911 and I have put a lot of rounds through it.
Given my druthers, though, I'm with TSB...I'll take a Para (and when we finish the Para Michael Bane/SHOOTING GALLERY Signature 1911, I guarantee you it will NOT have an external extractor!).
Michael B
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OK, for us idiots can some explain or better yet post pictures of internal and exteral extractors? That way if I look at a 1911 style I'll know what I'm looking at.
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An external extractor is the small flat bar behind and below the ejection port on the slide. A gun with an internal extractor will have nothing visible. The design of the two are completely different.
Here's a picture of a S&W, if I attached it correctly.
t
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Thanks TSB! This means my little KelTek P3AT has an external extractor, too.
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Exactly Right!
There is nothing wrong with the design, if the materials and workmanship are primary consideration, it should work. I had a Beretta 92FS back in my youth and It worked fine if it was kept clean. You'll find that design more than the internal I would expect.
T
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Yea, they would be cheaper to fabricate but S&W is one of the priciest out of the box models on the market. Personally, I've never been a fan of their autoloader line of guns. I suppose there is an arguement for both designs but when your paying a grand for a supposed "quality" firearm, I would expect a little more.
Walt,
Llama ain't around any more, they went OOB in 1999 and all due respect to your Kimber, like my PARA, it's a basic pistol with no frills.....
Tim
I know they aren't. And I'm telling you, My BP Ten does NOT have the traditional 1911 type extractor. I know some of them did have this, but mine has an external extractor that doubles as a Loaded Chamber Indicator. I'm not bashing external extractors, and CERTAINLY Not bashing Kimber. It's an excellent gun. But at first the external extractor confused me when I took the gun apart.
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I know they aren't. And I'm telling you, My BP Ten does NOT have the traditional 1911 type extractor. I know some of them did have this, but mine has an external extractor that doubles as a Loaded Chamber Indicator. I'm not bashing external extractors, and CERTAINLY Not bashing Kimber. It's an excellent gun. But at first the external extractor confused me when I took the gun apart.
Walt,
You misunderstood me. I'm not bashing your Kimber either and what I meant was, it's a "BASIC Pistol" (BP) in the sense that it has no bells and whistles to make it expensive. I'm sure it is a fine shooter since Kimber is one of the better manufacturers on the market.
I'm aware that it has an external extractor and from Micheals' response, I can gather that Kimber had some trouble with them and eventually stopped using them. I have no knowledge of this but that's what I infer from MBs' message.
Tim
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FYI, Sig Sauer 1911s, as well as all their other pistols except the P220 and X-5, have external extractors. And they have had enough issues with internal extrators on the P220 in the CNC machined slides that they are converting those to external extractors. There are pros and cons to both designs, but I am not going to get into a .45 versus 9mm type debate. There are many that would argue that the Sig external extractor is extremely reliable, even Mr. Bane keeps a P226 in his nightstand, which I doubt would happen if he had a moments doubt about reliability.
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FYI, Sig Sauer 1911s, as well as all their other pistols except the P220 and X-5, have external extractors.
True, but when I think 1911, I seldom think of SigSauer! Fine firearms and I've shot several but I think they may have gotten into the business of 1911s for purely marketing purposes. I'm probably wrong but it's only a guess!
Tim
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[/I've got a Sig 1911 that is really well put together, and I've had every old timer who ever fired it tell me how great the trigger is. I don't think it's just marketing...color]
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I've got a Sig 1911 that is really well put together, and I've had every old timer who ever fired it tell me how great the trigger is. I don't think it's just marketing.
I'll have to take your word for the quality of your 1911. I can't buy one or even see one up here, they are not an "Approved" firearm in MA. I do like the SA trigger on the P225, P229 and the P239 I've used, if that's any indication, yours must be sweet!
I'm not bashing any particular firearm folks. I've shot a lot of guns over the years, some I liked, some not so much. I do know what I like and so does everyone else. We don't have to get into another definition of what a "TURD" is. I have my own definition and so does my dog!
:D
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I'll have to take your word for the quality of your 1911. I can't buy one or even see one up here, they are not an "Approved" firearm in MA. I do like the SA trigger on the P225, P229 and the P239 I've used, if that's any indication, yours must be sweet!
I HAVE heard of some problems with some of the Sigs, but mine is really nice. In fact, I bought it after standing there with a Kimber in one hand and the Sig in the other. The SA triggers on their other models are ok....my SigPro is a little sloppy but I'm used to it, and at about 4.5 pounds its easy to shoot. The 1911 trigger is very short in travel and really crisp in the break. Nicest trigger I own so far. The gun is generally tighter than the Colts and Taurus I"ve handled.
It's hard to believe that a 1911 would not be on an approved list...it's old technology.
Anyway, I like the Sigs- pretty much all of them. I would own more, I think if so many of the models weren't so similar.
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It's hard to believe that a 1911 would not be on an approved list...it's old technology.
Being on the list has nothing to do with technology. It has to do with $$$$ and having certain characteristics to get approved. I don't know all the particulars but, it's about $5000.00 per handgun model (autoloaders) handed over to the state and at most, those with a loaded chamber indicator will make the list. It's painfully obvious, based on the list available, that S&W gets a "PASS" because every single autoloading handgun they make is on that list. It's also rather a pain that although a SigSauer P229 IS on the list, not all P229s make the cut! One thing changes and you gotta send the state more money!
Most, if not all wheel guns are approved because you would have to be blind to not know they were loaded. (And then maybe you shouldn't be carrying anyway!)
My Para has a little, bitty, teensy, weensy little slot cut into the top of the barrel which makes it conform. What the frig does that do for me in the dark? Who would rely on a simple minded little bitty hole? NOT ME, I rack it and stick my little finger in there and check it the way my Pappy and my favorite Uncle Sam taught me!
Bottom line? It's all about who's in charge and in this state, I don't need to tell you that my vote on the first tuesday in November will mean nothing...But I'll show up none-the-less!!!!
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Walt,
You misunderstood me. I'm not bashing your Kimber either and what I meant was, it's a "BASIC Pistol" (BP) in the sense that it has no bells and whistles to make it expensive. I'm sure it is a fine shooter since Kimber is one of the better manufacturers on the market.
I'm aware that it has an external extractor and from Micheals' response, I can gather that Kimber had some trouble with them and eventually stopped using them. I have no knowledge of this but that's what I infer from MBs' message.
Tim
Yup. Misunderstood that one didn't I? ;D