From what I understand, the "classic" 1911`s have an internal extractor, while the newer models come with an external. What are the advantages/disadvantages of both systems?
The new external extractor is an attempt to cure the believed flaw of the problematic internal extractor of the more clasic desing.
The internal extractor usually needs tuning and it can be dificult to do. It is in there under TREMENDOUS force. You MUST load these guns from a magazine. You can NOT drop a round into the chamber and allow theslide or run home. Doing this will eventually casue damage to the extractor and most likely break it.
The external extractor can be easily removed for cleaning. It can be modified easily if needed and you can load it by dropping a round into the tube and dropping the slide without breaking the extractor.
Honestly, I can't say that I have found a big difference between the two designs functionally. I have my traditional extracors tuned by my smith, I won't do it. I have had the para with the external extracor and loved it also.
I think I would choose the external extracor just becasue I like to be able to take everything apart myself and feel comfortable doing the operation. I also like the idea that I could replace a broken one myslef and that I wouldn't be breaking my gun if I shot it without the mag by loading rounds into the tube by hand.
Good luck, there will be many with an opinion on this one I'm sure.
Some view the internal extractor as a weak point in the Colt. OTOH, I have heard from more than one owner that the short barreled 1911s with external extractors experience more feeding issues - never owned one so can only repeat what I have been told. Call me a biggot but if it (internal extractor) was good enough for Browning it's good enough. External extractors may be nothing more than a marketing differentiator or not.
O.K. Here's the deal, internal extractors are easy to adjust if need be without tools. The tension applied to the casing comes from the amount of arc or bend in the internal extractor. Too much or to little tension causes problems, so does dropping a round in the tube and letting the slide go (can break or weaken the extractor /tension). To check the internal extractor if your having problems: Remove slide, place a live round under the extractor hook in the center of the breechface, shake it side to side-if the round drops out you need more tension. External extractors are removed with tools and contain small parts, tension is set by spring assistance. externals vary in design from one to another maker where most internals are the same. Externals that operate correctly are pretty much maintenance free, other than cleaning. The Kimber externals had issues so they came up with (3) seperate hook designs then gave up and went back to selling internals again because they couldn't get it right. Sig and S&W external designs seem to work well. For myself, I prefer the internal design (easy to change without tools,parts are easy to get and adjusting is easy too). Go to WWW.1911 forum.com for all kinds of info. on the 1911 (it's a great site dedicated to the 1911).
Depends on the gunmaker. I have both in my safe. My springer is internal and works great, no stove pipes, no extraction problems in 3 years. My S&W has the external, very good. Only had it a couple of months, shot two ISPC matches with it and used it at NTI this year. No failures, no problems. Remember, the HiPower was a Browning design and it ended up with an external extractor. I suppose if I was in Mesopotamia right now, I would go with the internal, perhaps because of the sand and dirt. I don't know really. My kid has taken an armourer class in the 1911, he tells me there is no problem other than the problems associated with Kimber because of their design.