I'm considering a Caspian slide for a 1911 build.
I'd like to know what the pros and cons are for the external extractor design versus the original Browning internal one.
It's easier to get extractor tension right on an external extractor -- just replace one little spring. it's also easier to make an external extrator.
1911-style extractors are easier to deal with in terms of installation, maintainance, and cleaning. I find them more durable.
quote:
"I'd like to know what the pros and cons are for the external extractor
design versus the original Browning internal one."
Some beleive its an improvement, I dont really see it that way as I never had any problems polishing and tuning the stock ones. Once an internal extractor is set up properly it will run for a long time. But the new external extractor is starting to gain in popularity, time will tell if it is as reliable or will stand the test of time.
I beleive that the reason some in the industry are going to external extractors is because it is one less thing that needs to be massaged at the factory. I have gotten many pistols on my bench with zero extractor tension and these were either new or almost new pistols.
I think either direction you go with the Caspian slide as long as it is set up properly you will have no real issues with so the real decision is which one looks better to you.
I have to agree completely with Chris. The newer external extractors "work" and they work without any tweaking. Even though they do "work", I myself tend to believe they will not stand the test of time, not on the 1911 anyway.
I have to admit, my opinion is bias when it comes to the 1911 pistol. I am somewhat of a purist. The old extractors are quite easily tuned and as Chris has mentioned, a properly tuned extractor will last tens of thousands of rounds. Most 1911 owners on average, will NEVER put enough ammunition through their 1911's to come even REMOTELY close to wearing down an extractor.
Don't get me wrong, I do not believe the exterior extractor to be inferior in any way on the 1911 pistol, in fact if a slide comes with this extractor, especially one from Caspian, the extractor should prove to be a real "worker"!