1991A1 - which parts are castings?

The parts that I identified as castings are: hammer, sear, disconnector, extractor. I suspect that most new guns on the market have some of those parts cast. I used SVI for the trigger group parts, and a Cylinder & Slide extractor.

How can the extractor be cast? Its a spring.

Originally posted by BB:
How can the extractor be cast? Its a spring.

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It's supposed to be spring steel. On most new 1911s it isn't, it's just a casting with a slight amount of natural spring to it. Now you know why so many people have FTF/FTE problems with their new 1911s! Replacing the extractor with a new unit like a Wilson or Ed Brown is the first order of business.



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D. Kamm
USGI M1911/M1911A1 Pistols Website
http://www.geocities.com/M1911_M1911A1

FWIW, most of these parts seem to be fairly reliable. Big problem is how to tell, other than obvious signs, whether the part is about to fail? My oldest government model has all the original parts mentioned, and none of them have given a moments problem. The weapon has been carried cocked and locked for better than 10 years, and the mags stay loaded. Have heard the horror stories about extractors in particular, but I must be living a charmed life and glad of it. Bought a new 1991A1 last spring, and just for kicks, I replaced the plastic and cast parts with steel. One thing I did notice immediately is the difference in balance-a bit lighter in the muzzle which I like.

Originally posted by dsk:
Replacing the extractor with a new unit like a Wilson or Ed Brown is the first order of business.

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Wilsons and Browns are tool steel, if I recall correctly the only true spring steel extractor on the market right now is made by Cylider & Slide. Another way to go is with the Aftec, which is independently sprung. I'm not sure I totally distrust cast parts(aside from the extractor that is), it all depends on the quality of the casting.

[This message has been edited by PK (edited 08-02-2001).]