Even a Wilson extractor would need proper setup. Tuning can be done on a stock part as well as an aftermarket. Once I learned enough I was able to use the stock part and get it working as well as the EGW and Ed Brown extractors in my last 3 pistols. It may be advantageous to fit a new firing pin stop if the stock one is a loose fit to the extractor (could cause clocking) or has too much fore and aft play in the slide slot (HTBD can change from shot to shot). You can use a new FPS to get the HTBD in spec and that makes everything else much easier. The locating pad can adjust deflection by filing it down if the deflection is less than .010" or by filing the tensioning wall itself if deflection is more than .010" although filing the tensioning wall is less commonly required.
Unless you are willing to get/make the required tools to measure the following you may never get it right. Out of 6 pistols, 4 had too long an extractor which caused too much HTBD, 1 was short and required a fitted FPS to move it forward, and 1 needed a lot of locating pad filing to get deflection correct. 2 of them also required a shim to adjust HTBD.
For .45 caliber:
1. HTBD (hook to breech distance, .075" minimum to .085" max)
2. Deflection (.010" preferred)
3. Hook height (.032" to .035")
4. firing pin stop and extractor fitting to prevent clocking
5. Tension
The bevel on the tensioning wall is important as well and does not have to be very large, I overdid this initially, too much and you can make the case rim contact patch too small and may not hold the rim properly. If the stock extractor has a bevel you can normally just radius the edges to get that correct or it may be fine.
I am not as eloquent as Steve's article. Read it, read it again, and again until you can mentally understand the relationship of the geometries presented. Yes you may drop in a new extractor and it may work, but properly not near as well and reliable as a 100% corrected and in spec part. My last new pistol, a SA Garrison, I didn't even fire it before I fitted a new FPS and tuned the stock extractor to Steve's specs. It was short on HTBD and the hook height was way too tall and was hitting the brass. When I shot it the first time, it ran flawlessly.
It's not as difficult as it sounds but it DOES require proper measuring tools.
Here are two of my experiences with tuning extractors:
Before I go out and shoot it, I said "why not" and wanted to report my findings. This pistol I just received last Thursday and again, I have not fired it yet. First, the deflection appears to be fine. My .466" gage just engages the tensioning wall, I would call it good, if even a TINY bit...
www.1911forum.com
I got out and shot it today. I put 75 rds through it and another 58 through my Carry model, to test the new Duty and also to test out my latest extractor tuning on the Carry. One was a total success. The Carry worked great. No misfeed, no bolt over base errors, 1 rd no mag shooting as well as...
www.1911forum.com
And of course Steve's article
Because of Photobucket's new policy of not allowing common folks like me to link our pictures on their site into discussion forums unless we gave them $400 all of my pictures here have been blocked. So at the request of several members I've spent time over the course of the past couple of weeks...
www.1911forum.com
