If cleaning the extractor, channel, and springs does not correct the problem, then you may need to modify or change some parts.
Built-up dirt may be limiting the movement of your extractor and its parts. If you determine you have insufficient extractor tension, I recommend conducting a detailed disassembly and cleaning of your slide. If it falls free, there may be insufficient extractor tension. Once in place, shake the slide in your hand. If you recall from previous discussions, proper extractor tension can be determined by removing the slide from your pistol and pushing a loaded cartridge case against the breech face with the case rim under the extractor claw. A visual inspection may not allow you to ascertain proper extractor tension. In the case of a failure to extract, there just isn’t enough tension at the extractor claw to pull the case from the chamber. Whether internal or external, too much extractor tension may cause a failure to feed, but too little extractor tension could cause both a failure to feed and a failure to extract. External extractors rely on leverage and a spring to provide proper tension. When designed external to the slide, such as Glocks and Sigs, the extractor is one or more pieces of metal also with a claw protruding into the breech. The degree of the “bow” determines how much or how little tension is applied to the cartridge case. As such, the internal extractor itself can be considered a spring. A “bow” in this solid piece of steel provides tension to the cartridge case. When designed internal to the slide, such as most 1911s, the extractor is typically a solid piece of steel with a claw protruding into the breech. Since these are such an important item, it is a good idea to keep a spare extractor or two in your range bag. Wilson Combat 1911 extractors are in the mid-$30.00 range and Glock extractors are just under $20.00. They can range from $15.00 to $45.00 depending on the “name brand” you go with. The good news is that most manufacturers produce quality extractors that are very affordable.
The only remedy to this problem is a full replacement. The photo to the right compares two 1911 extractors. Working in unison, the extractor continues to pull as the ejector pushes the spent cartridge case through the ejection port and away from the pistol… just in time for the slide to begin its forward motion which will feed the next round.Ī brief visual inspection of the extractor claw can indicate excessive wear, damage, or a clean break.
As the slide continues its full rearward movement, the extractor maintains proper tension on the cartridge case holding it in position against the breech face until the continued rearward motion thrusts the base of the cartridge case against the ejector.
In Part 3, we will discuss the extractor’s profound role as the extractor claw “grips” the cartridge rim as the firearm unlocks and the rearward movement of the slide “extracts” the spent cartridge case from the chamber. In both Part 1 and Part 2 of the series, I described the extractor’s role in properly guiding a cartridge case along the breech face during the feeding cycle as well as its role in firmly holding the cartridge in place centering the primer in front of the firing pin hole. Within this category of stoppages, I will analyze the three main causes: (1) failure to extract (2) double feed and (3) stove pipe.Īs we begin this discussion, I believe it is important to once again emphasize the preeminent role of the extractor and highlight its counterpoise with the ejector. In Part 3, Failure to Eject, we will discuss the remaining three elements within the cycle of operation: extracting, ejecting, and cocking. Part 2, Failure to Fire, covered the fourth and fifth elements: firing and unlocking. Part 1, Failure to Feed covered the first three elements: feeding, chambering, and locking. To cover the wide range of topics in this series, I have broken the 8 elements of the cycle of operation into the three commonly accepted types of pistol malfunction. Welcome back and thank you for returning to read the final installment in the Diagnosing Pistol Malfunctions series. By Howard Hall MaDiagnosing Pistol Malfunctions – Part 3: Failure to Eject