The only Kimber I have with an external extractor is a TLE II I've owned shot, carried and taken to classes for the past two years. I have had zero trouble with the extractor.
I wish I could say the same for the Series II firing pin safety.
While my extractor has worked fine, the fact that Kimber has produced revisions of the design seems to indicate there is a problem. The last I knew, there were four variations of the extractor floating around. I doubt they would go to that trouble and expense if there weren't enough problems to warrant it.
Not trying to beat on external extractors. Overall, I like external extractors on 1911s. I'm usually traditional-minded when it comes to guns. Although I don't think there is a thing wrong with a properly made internal extractor, I see an advantage or two to the external extractor.
If nothing else, I see them as being more idiot-proof than the original design when it comes to people dropping the slide on a chambered round. I know that's a user issue rather than a design flaw, but it helps the next owner of the gun. The only 1911s I've had whose extractors needed any attention at all were internal extractor guns. They were also bought used. In each case, I believe the extractor had been abused. None needed any more work after correcting the problem they came to me with.
I wish I could say the same for the Series II firing pin safety.
While my extractor has worked fine, the fact that Kimber has produced revisions of the design seems to indicate there is a problem. The last I knew, there were four variations of the extractor floating around. I doubt they would go to that trouble and expense if there weren't enough problems to warrant it.
Not trying to beat on external extractors. Overall, I like external extractors on 1911s. I'm usually traditional-minded when it comes to guns. Although I don't think there is a thing wrong with a properly made internal extractor, I see an advantage or two to the external extractor.
If nothing else, I see them as being more idiot-proof than the original design when it comes to people dropping the slide on a chambered round. I know that's a user issue rather than a design flaw, but it helps the next owner of the gun. The only 1911s I've had whose extractors needed any attention at all were internal extractor guns. They were also bought used. In each case, I believe the extractor had been abused. None needed any more work after correcting the problem they came to me with.
