Sick of getting hit in the face with brass from my 1911

[decodeddiesel]

Here's the story, I finally got my Park Loaded back form the Custom Shop/Warranty repair after a 10 week wait. I must say I am very impressed and pleased with the Custom Shop work. I wish I could say the same with the warranty work.

Among the reasons I sent it back in was the fact that the pistol has a nasty habit of hitting me in the face with hot brass. I had hoped they would have gotten it sorted out at the factory, but they did not.

Last night I fired 200 rounds from the pistol at the local indoor range. I shot 100 rounds of 230gr WWB FMJs and 100 rounds of 220gr PMP FMJs. The pistol was amazing in every way....except for the fact that I got nailed in the face at least 6 times by hot brass, and I had one fly just past my face, down the back of my shirt and burn the crap out of me. Yes I was wearing a ball cap (which deflected a number away from my face) and wrap around safety glasses luckily. The RO saw it happen and came over to commend me on my muzzle discipline while getting the hell burnt out of me. He is a retired LEO and a 1911 aficionado. He told me I probably needed a new extractor. I offered for him to fire the pistol, and sure enough on his second shot he got nailed in the face too. We both had a laugh about it, but needless to say this is wearing on my patience.

I don't want to send the pistol back in, so last night I fired off an order to Brownells for an EGW firing pin stop and an Ed Brown "Hardcore" S70 Extractor.

I have found some good "how to's" on fitting the extractor, but my one question is, how much fitting and shaping/polishing does the extractor need out of the box? I know I will have to adjust the tension and I am comfortable doing that, but changing the geometry of the extractor is something I am not too comfortable with. Also if people who have used both the Wilson "Bulletproof" and the Ed Brown "Hardcore" can tell me one is better than the other I will send back the Ed Brown and get the Wilson.

Thanks.

[JiMfraRED1911]

I think this is where the EJECTOR comes into play, not so much the extractor.

FWIW, I have Wilson's Bulletproof extractor fitted to my Loaded, along with a fitted spare. So far, so good, but I've only put 300 downrange since I got it back from Quantico. The real test comes this weekend at South Hill.

[JiMfraRED1911]

"but changing the geometry of the extractor is something I am not too comfortable with."

If you doubt yourself, hire a focused student of the 1911. Just my .02 cents.

[Thomas M-4]

I think this is where the EJECTOR comes into play, not the so much the extractor.

FWIW, I have Wilson's Bulletproof extractor fitted to my Loaded, along with a fitted spare. So far, so good, but I've only put 300 downrange since I got it back from Quantico. The rest test comes this weekend at South Run.

Thats what I thought too.
I am not a 1911 expert but I always thought the ejector had more control over ejection pattern than the extractor.

[Business_Casual]

Shop manual says check the bottom angle on the extractor and stone (dress) to correct. Ejector is not mentioned in that context, only in the context of shells having "poor" ejection.

M_P

[decodeddiesel]

Shop manual says check the bottom angle on the extractor and stone (shape) to correct. Ejector is not mentioned in that context, only in the context of shells having "poor" ejection.

M_P

That was my understanding as well.

[Thomas M-4]

Just looked through the 2nd edition gunsmithing pistol & revolvers
states that standard ejectors are designed to toss empties up and out. The extended ejector is designed to toss empties to the side.
The angle on the ejector is there to lever out empties cases.

I am by know means a 1911 expert it could very well be the extractor.

[Hersh]

My guess is that if the extractor is clocking, or rotating in its tunnel, it might play a part in erratic ejection. The EGW fp stop will probably correct that. Here's a pic describing all the surfaces of an extractor.



You might also send a PM to Wichaka. He's a 1911 armorer and has helped me out a lot on one of the 1911 forums.

Hth

[decodeddiesel]

My guess is that if the extractor is clocking, or rotating in its tunnel, it might play a part in erratic ejection. The EGW fp stop will probably correct that. Here's a pic describing all the surfaces of an extractor.



You might also send a PM to Wichaka. He's a 1911 armorer and has helped me out a lot on one of the 1911 forums.

Hth

Hersh, the more and more I am reading about this the more and more I think you are correct.

I wish I had the pistol in front of me to better diagnose the problem, but shouldn't an oversized FPS and new extractor fix the problem?

[Hersh]

Hersh, the more and more I am reading about this the more and more I think you are correct.

I wish I had the pistol in front of me to better diagnose the problem, but shouldn't an oversized FPS and new extractor fix the problem?

Yeah in theory if the fp stop is fitted really well to the extractor it should eliminate any clocking. I'd strongly urge you to contact Wichaka also. I understand the theory behind these modifications, but he's forgotten more about 1911s than I'll ever know and could help you with the finer points.

He carries a 1911 for his duty weapon and has helped me diagnose several problems. He's GTG and always glad to help!