I got these two emails from a friend of mine. Never worked on an external extractor 1911 before but I would think the theory of operation and fitting would be the same. Any ideas?
“I have a Llama 1911 with external extractor. It extracts spent cartridges unreliably. When I hold a cartridge against the bolt face the extractor hook bears against the forward side of the cartridge groove, and even slides up it a bit. A gap of .030″ -.040″ opens up between the hook and the case rim. Should the hook be tighter to the rim? How do I fix it?”
“I believe this will need a new extractor. The hook point lands halfway up the groove ramp on the cartridge, and there is a gap of .080 between the hook and the case head. Are replacement parts available, or will I have to weld this one up?” DC
The same principles should indeed apply; the extractor fit needs to pass the shake test.
Sounds like the extractor has been worked on, and too much has been filed under the hook. I would replace the extractor if possible. If not, I would file under the extractor body so that the hook can move in further, and hopefully that will close the gap enough to pass the test.
I think replacement extractors are still available. -TL
Answer
That is VERY common to the Llama auto pistols. Extractors and parts in general are getting harder to come by. Simply weld up that one and refit it correctly.
Extractors do need to hold the case on the bolt face but even when they are shaped wrong they will often pass the “swing” test, as the extractor tension simply holds the case onto the breech face or area of the bolt opposite the extractor. The fired case should be slid up under the extractor onto the breech face then pulled straight away from the breech face until the extractor hook stops the case from moving forward away from the bolt face. Then the slide or bolt is swung around to see if the case will stay on the breech face. So fit the extractor hook so it holds the cases where it should and has the correct tension. Ken
