tuning extractor on colt 1911

DeerSpy · Post by **DeerSpy** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 4:28 pm

I put a redot on my 1911 series 70 and have ejection problems from what I have been reading I might need to tune extractor and lower ejection port
how much can you take off of port an still be safe?

Post by **Bullseye** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 5:17 pm

I lower them down to .470", measured from the bottom center of the ejection port to the bottom edge of the slide. The standard Government Model Series 70's have a .610" high ejection port. This is a difference of .140", or my typical final cutting depth once I index and zero my mill. The key is to not have any squared edges or the possibility of cracking is high. Then I bevel the bottom inside edge 1/8".

R,
Bullseye

DeerSpy · Post by **DeerSpy** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 11:05 pm

thanks Bullseye for info on how much to cut out of port.

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:16 am

If it's been worked right for some time and is now acting up I would only look at replacing the extractor. Make sure the ejector is not peened too, it can change the angle the brass comes out. Even though lowering the port is a good thing for reliable ejection. Once they start to give up it's time to replace them. Yes you can adjust them to bring back the tension but it will be short lived if the extractor is failing. Also check to make sure it's not clocking, this can cause problems too.

DeerSpy · Post by **DeerSpy** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:31 pm

I have put a new extractor in and over size firing pin stop old one was lose and extractor was clocking, also put a long ejector in, have not got to machine shop yet to mill port.

have another ? while doing above work and using a empty case with barrel installed in slide I noticed that the case was not held against bolt face there is a .020 to .016 gap when case is all the way in chamber, so my question is is this normal? It seams it might not head space off of end of case but is floating and this would cause inconsistency.

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 8:53 am

The 45acp head spaces off of the mouth of the case. The only correct way is to use a Go NO Go gauge. The gap at the extractor is normal and is required for the base to slip under while loading, feed angle. As long as the extractor hook is not too long to hit the base (above grove). If I recall they make a slightly shorter extractor one on the market or re-contour the older one a bit on the nose. As long as the tension is right it should be good.

I had to replace the FP stop on a Colt Commander I have here now. It also was clocking, too. I'm test firing it tomorrow to see if it function test after I retensioned the extractor and installed an over size FP stop. Want to make sure the timing is not to slow with the small radius slowing the slide down. The over size FP stops with a small radius are suppose to reduce felt recoil, I get to find out first hand shooting both.

DeerSpy · Post by **DeerSpy** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:47 pm

put the colt back together and shot it to day it now bends cases think it hitting on ejection port, I have not lowered port yet.

checked depth of chamber on barrel it measured .900 deep and cases measured .884 to .887 long so when barrel is lock up the case can float
.013 to .016 forward and aft when barrel is locked up it this normal?

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:37 am

That normal on most 45's. Make sure the end of the extractor is not hitting the front part of the extractor grove. Sometimes if there not shaped right on the end they hit the case and moves it forward. This will cause FTFire some times.

Depending on where it's hitting the ejector, low high you can make it throw at a different angel. Does it have the short or long style ejector on it?

DeerSpy · Post by **DeerSpy** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 9:23 pm

I put a new extractor and a extended ejector in and a over size firing pin stop and just tried it to see what would happen. It bent the cases but did not hit bottom of red dot, so I will lower ejection port next week.

DeerSpy · Post by **DeerSpy** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 8:10 pm

I got ejection port milled and beveled and it does not bend cases now, but the new extractor is making a little mark on bevel of the case not sure why I put old extractor back in it does not mark cases. Is there a way to hone the extractor to make it through lower?

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 9:28 pm

See if this will help you.

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=100822

Post by **Bullseye** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:13 am

Is the bottom edge of the extractor claw very slightly rounded?

http://www.sightm1911.com

If it is, then too much extractor claw tension could be your problem.

R,
Bullseye

DeerSpy · Post by **DeerSpy** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:01 pm

thanks blue68f100 and Bullseye
I tried to register at the 1911 site but the Image Verification thing would not work I could not read it.

but I had honed my old extractor to what I think they were talking about at 1911 site, I had a different diagram than Bullseye posted it had radius at corner where bevel is shown

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:54 am

You do need a little radius at that corner where the bevel is shown, which was what I was referring to in my question.

R,
Bullseye

DeerSpy · Post by **DeerSpy** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:06 pm

I think I will hone the new ED BROWN extractor on that lower corner on top and in area where bevel is shown, it shows a brass deposit on that corner,
does any one sell a extractor that is tuned to through lower for those that use a red dot with low rings?