When I took my Series 70 9mm Gov't Model apart for cleaning I was unable to remove the extractor at first. It appeared the hook was catching on the frame. I pushed the hook toward the center of the extractor tunnel while pulling on the end of the extractor and I was able to get it out.
I cleaned the extractor and tunnel and now find it difficult to push the extractor all the way back in with out a lot of pressure. I don't recall this problem the last time I cleaned it. (The last time I fired it was with Wolf ammo but a don't see how this would cause a problem).
My question is should the extractor easily slide in its full length back into the tunnel? If so I guess I need to straighten it out a bit. It must be "mis- tuned".
Do not straighten it out.
If it was working before you cleaned it, it will still be working after you cleaned it.
There should be some resistance due to the curved spring extractor going into the straight hole.
PS: Use a .22 cal bronze bore brush & pipe cleaners to make sure you have all the gunk out of the hole.
My 9mm extractor is the same. Needs the tension.
I have not done anything pending input. I have reinstalled the extractor and it holds a cartridge under the hook when I turn the slide 360 degrees. I have read that this indicates good tension.
This pistol has always hit me in the head with brass once every few mags.
Quote:
This pistol has always hit me in the head with brass once every few
mags.
That has more to do with the ejector than the extractor.
It can also be a symptom of the dreaded "Limp-Wrist".
It could be your grip.
If you let your wrist break, the gun recoils up to nearer vertical and torques over, and the ejection port is pointed more at your head.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48
The extractor is supposed to be curved as you described it is.
That does add a minor amount of effort to remove and replace, but that is the way it is supposed to be. The tension test, 360 degree rotation, is also correct as you described.
To stop brass hitting you in the head, other than ducking, a slight modification to the ejector is needed.
Is this a 9mm extractor quirk?
The extractors on other .45 1911-pattern pistols I have seen all come out easily with no binding.
The other extractors that you observed were probably for 45 ACP guns.
The 9mm, 38 Super and 10mm have smaller case diameters. The extractor has to be bent more than a .45 extractor to reach the case.