Setting the extractor tension

[Jim S.]

I was just seting the extractor tension on both of my Fairly new to me Mil-Specs.
I always replace certain parts on cheaper 1911's and the extractor is one of the parts I think need to be top of the line in quality.
I like the Wilson "Bullet Proof" parts when I replace the factory stuff.
Anyway, I was wondering how many other people actually set the tension on the extractor whether it is stock or aftermarket.
It is a pain in the posterior to do it right and takes me a long time even using the Weigand tensioning tool and guage.
Anyone else make the adjustments any other way?
I use to do it where you put the round into the extractor hook and shake it around to see if it will hold or not.
That is anything but accurate but I didn't know a better way at that time.
Hard to get the 28 oz's that I like to have on an extractor even with the guage and a good trigger pull scale.
It takes me a bunch of in and out with the firing pin stop and the extractor and firing pin, make the slight adjustment... back and forth and back and forth until you get it right. Sucks.
At least with the Bullet Proof extractor it will hold its shape for a long time.
I really hate this part of 1911 maintenance even though I do it.

[nolt]

obligatory post of the bill wilson guide...

http://www.m1911.org/technic2.htm

[Jim S.]

That is the way I used to do it from even back in the old days.
It really isn't a very accurate way to do it.
And that took a lot of patience also if you wanted it to be right.
I guess the proof in it being set right is actually in the way it performs.
It needs to be tight enough to eject the casing and loose enough to allow the round to be fed properly.

[nolt]

yeah it can be aggravating i agree lol

[BuckyP]

A different option would be to buy an Aftec Extractor (http://www.mcguns.com/product-p/ace00.htm). It is a drop in part and spring tension is done by two tiny coil springs which cost $6 to replace. I've never had to replace the springs in my Open gun in over 60K rounds.

Only thing is, they don't make them for series 80s pistols.

[BOGE]

Why guess?

http://www.jackweigand.com/eat.html

[Jim S.]

Why guess?

http://www.jackweigand.com/eat.html

What part of "Even using the Weigand tensioning tool and guage" did not register in the old brain.
That is the way I do it these days but it is a tedious pain in the butt job even with these tools.
It takes a lot of tries to get it on the money.
Also the old way may work but it is anything but accurate or consistant.

[BOGE]

What part of "Even using the Weigand tensioning tool and guage" did not register in the old brain...

Hahahaha!! I'm waiting on new bifocals. :whistling::embarassed: