I was given an old WWII 1911 and I knew the extractor was messed up. So I had to fix it. I took it out and cleaned everything real good and I got like 15 rounds through it no problem. Then I had a FTE. When it would extract, the casings would fly straight back and hit me in the face. I shot it without the mag in it and also got a stovepipe once and another that just fell through the mag well.

So can I bend the extractor slightly? Or should I just look for a new one?

I see 2 potential issues.

1. The extractor has weakened over the years and needs to be replaced. Don't worry, they are really inexpensive and easy to replace. Just about any gun shop would have them in stock.

2. You are limp wristing the gun. Stove pipe jams in 1911's are typically cause by an improper grip. You need to make sure that you have a firm and proper grip on the frame and don't let the recoil flip the muzzle up. In most cases, it is because your grip is too low. Make sure that your hand is far enough up that the web of your thumb is against the beaver tail. This will help prevent rotation and the stove pipe jamming. A bad extractor will not cause ejection issues. It will leave the case in the chamber. A bad ejector will cause ejection problems. Make sure that is not worn or broken. Unlike the AR, the ejector is just a piece of metal that sticks up and hits the back of the case as the slide is retracted/recoils. It is not a spring loaded plunger.

What I would do:

1. Try taking it out again and concentrating on proper grip fire a couple of mags.

2. If you problem is not solved, replace the extractor.

Ive been shooting pistols for years, including 1911s, and I never get stovepipes. So I doubt my grip is the issue. I always shoot with two hands and have a really firm grip on it. I was thinking that maybe the extractor was too worn and wasnt catching the rim all the way and not throwing it out right. And keep in mind it only did this WITHOUT a mag in it.

An extractor can be tensioned to see if that is the problem.

Pull the slide off of the pistol and put a loaded round on the breach face with the extractor over teh rim of the cartridge. There should be enough tension that the round should stay there after a hit or two of the slide against the palm of your hand.

If it fails this test you can withdraw the extractor part way and bend it in the appropriate direction to add a bit of tension until it will stay in place. The round should also be able to slip up under teh extractor fairly easily though, so you don't want to over tighten it.

Also check the face of teh ejector to make sure the ejector isn't bent broken or worn to the point that the shell is hitting it too late in the extraction cycle or being directed into the slide.

A longer ejector often clears up stovepipe issues that aren't caused by extractor, recoil spring, or limp wristing issues.

My bet is on extractor tension though. The extractor design is tougher than a lot of folks give it credit for.

I also do need to change the guide rod spring now that I think about it.

Ok I took the extractor out again and was looking at it very closely for cracks, and I noticed that the part that grabs the rim is very worn on the bottom side. Almost to nothing. This seems like it would explain the casings flying straight back too maybe.

Sounds like that could be your problem alright.

I've owned a Colt MK IV, Series 80, Officer's ACP for 20+ years (my first 1911); during that time, I've experienced a number of failures, notably shearing the lug on the recoil spring plug. I put the gun away for several years when I transitioned to a G19. I would now like to make some modifications to the Officers ACP to enhance performance and reliability - Wilson Guide Rod, Spring and Plug. Gunsmithing - Trigger, Throating, Ramp Polishing and tuning the Extractor (http://www.m1911.org/technic2.htm). I switched to Wilson Combat Officer's 7 round magazines recently - nice improvement. Colt discontinued production of the Officers ACP sometime between 1993-1996 and I'm wondering if this particular gun has greater intrinsic value as a stock piece (Original Box and Paperwork). Should I modify the gun or leave it alone?

Thx,

Talisman

My Colt 1911 ejects the brass straight back towards me as well. When I wear a hat it usually lands on the bill and rolls off. I look at this as a benefit. I don't have to look far to collect my brass.

It could be the previous owner was reloading and didn't have a good taper on their brass and forced the slide shut. This may also cause the ejector to become defunct and require replacement I believe.