Extractor fit in slide correct?

[larenegade]

I found this Colt Commander on Gunbroker.com and never have noticed an extractor fitting like this. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=87998851 Look at the pic showing the rear of the gun/slide area down in description. The extractor appears to be twisted or not fitting inside the slide. Is this a defect to say don't purchase? Has anyone seen this in a 1911 where the slide and extractor don't fit snug at the rear of the slide. I have heard of talk that Colt doesn't compare to some other manufactures before but never felt that way myself. Now I see this. Would this prevent you from purchasing this Commander?

[wichaka]

That doesn't look good. But is an easy fix. Hard to know if it came that way, or someone messed with it. I would hope to think it was the latter.

[berkbw]

And that is what is called "clocking"
b-

[anderson3754]

Well it's definitely in there twisted. Why I don't know. As far as buying; It is a red flag that something not right. But it should be curable. If the gun runs out fine it's simply a cosmetic problem. If the gun don't work, it will cost you some money for the repair whether you do it yourself or have to pay someone.
If your not versed in making repairs I would just move on to a different deal.
Gotta warn ya though right up front, I'm somewhat prejudice against Colts of that era, It created the birth of all these custom gunsmiths just to get them to work. Once this has been done their beautiful guns. Just hate to see ya get into a money trap.

[berkbw]

Sir, I do not believe that it is twisted. I do believe that it is rotated. This a common thing, normally cured by the fitting of an EGW over size firing pin stop. Unless the slot in the extractor is really over size, it's a quick (a bit of filing), cheap ($15), and easy fix.

Don't worry about that. It's probably why its for sale. :)

b-

[anderson3754]

Sir, I do not believe that it is twisted. I do believe that it is rotated. This a common thing, normally cured by the fitting of an EGW over size firing pin stop. Unless the slot in the extractor is really over size, it's a quick (a bit of filing), cheap ($15), and easy fix.

Don't worry about that. It's probably why its for sale. :)

b-

Okay...... rotated left, clocked to the left, twisted left the picture is clear that there is a problem there.
For some it would be a 15 min fix, for others it would be a difficult fix. I just don't want to see the guy buying a problem child if he's not willing or comfortable making the repair, thats all.

[1911Tuner]

Not only clocked, but the extractor channel itself is located way yonder too far to the right...which means that an oversized firing pin stop won't help.

And...by the way...That's not a Series 80 Commander.

[anderson3754]

Not only clocked, but the extractor channel itself is located way yonder too far to the right...which means that an oversized firing pin stop won't help.

Excellent, I did not see that when I first looked at the picture.

[berkbw]

I never fail to be astonished by 1911Tuner. ('course I' 1/2 blind) I was just thinking that the extra 10' might have been due to a too deeply cut slot!!

I wasn't looking at the print in the GB ad - should have.Yet another nice catch, sir.

b

[1911Tuner]

The slide can be serviceable, although it'll look a little strange from the rear, and the front of the extractor will likely require hand fitting and modification in order to function correctly.

The simplest approach would be to silver-solder a lump on the rear of the extractor to move it to the left so that the firing pin stop can bear against the floor of the slot.

Since we don't know if the channel is straight...which would also force it too far to the right at the front...or angled...which would make it less so...it's one of those wait and see things if you buy the gun.

At any rate, any collectible value goes straight south because of this problem...whether or not it's returned to serviceable status. The trained eye would spot it in two seconds...so that pretty much relegates it to range beater/carry/yeoman service. Still viable...but not collectible.

Don't worry about that. It's probably why its for sale.

Precisely, and very likely why it's in such pristine condition. Hard to put a lotta wear on a gun that won't run. I had occasion to tweak an older LW Commander for McEntyre for a repeated failure to go to battery issue. He bought the gun in remarkably good condition...and that was probably why it was in such good shape.

Caveat Emptor, and all that...

[F.D. Coonrod]

Proving once again that Tuner has his "herbs and spices" all together as usual. I believe I'd let someone else buy and try to fix this problem.

[wichaka]

Looked at the pic again.....caught the channel is a bit off from being cut proper. Looks like an oblong cut......

[1911Tuner]

caught the channel is a bit off from being cut proper. Looks like an oblong cut......

Yep. One or the other, mah brother. That's the only way the extractor coulda clocked that much.

[twin oaks]

So now the question falls to this: Can you argue the price down enough to where you're comfortable buying the pistol and knowing you'll need a new slide? I haven't been commander shopping recently, so I don't know the right price range... but is it a good price for a commander lower end and most of the internals for the top end? Maybe you should consider this a bulk buy on components- most of them preassembled.

[1911Tuner]

So now the question falls to this: Can you argue the price down enough to where you're comfortable buying the pistol and knowing you'll need a new slide?

Unlikely to be able to find a clean pre-80 Colt slide that not only matches the gun, but is for sale at any reasonable price...unless you get very lucky. Series 80 slides are probably available from Colt if you don't care about originality or correctness...but they're high-dollar items.

[auto45]

200 bucks...I'd buy it. ;)

[1911Tuner]

200 bucks...I'd buy it.

Well...yeah! The bare frame is easily worth that, or more.

[auto45]

That's why I never win bids. :D

That pistol looks like "trouble".

[larenegade]

Thanks for the back-up I think I am passing on this. Thank all for the response. I have found a Colt Custom shop Lgtwt and think I may get it. Going to email there next. Have wanted a Lgtwt Commander for long-time since I grew up shooting a stock one. All the talk I have heard about Colt quality I have never experienced anything but good with every one I have had. I shoot a Commander from age 8, 36 years ago, for 10 years and never had a misfire and shot my reloads, lead & Speer (200gr Ashtray). Seeing this extractor surprised me. I am going to try and do some digging just to see about this specific gun and if there were problems. ? will be if I am told the truth as the gun is for sale.

Hope this custom shop deal works out. Got 500 rounds I have been lugging around for 3 years and I am getting ready to move again. Just not many places to shoot here in SW Florida. To much SNOW BIRDS I guess. Headin back to the real swamp land in Central Louisiana where I know I can walk out side and not have a neighbor complain about shooting.

Thanks all for replying.

[niemi24s]

Doesn't look like the plunger is making contact with the rear of the slide stop.

And the ragged condition of the grip screw slots leads me to believe the gun had at least one owner who either didn't have the right size screwdriver or didn't know how to use whatever size screwdriver he/she had!

Would all of this keep me from buying this gun, being sold As Is with no refunds or exchange and reserve not met at US$605? Would Elmer Fudd like to get that wascal wabbit?

[Hill]

That widening or slanted cut at the bottom of the slide below the extractor made me go look at one of mine to see if they come that way in Commanders, and they don't. Should be nice and square just like all other 1911's.

Hard to imagine how that could have been worn so badly so I'd suspect that it was broken or chipped at that corner of the slide and then smoothed to try to make it look OK and keep the extractor supported on the end.

You know, it might just be my impression, but it seems like there's a lot more trying to pass off questionable guns to buyers (suckers?) in GunBroker than there is going on in Auction Arms. I could be wrong though, as I don't haunt either place much.

[1911Tuner]

Anybody else notice the description:

>This gun is similar to Government Model, except shorter and lighter. It has a 4.5 inch barrel...<

Seems that the seller doesn't know a lot about his Colt. It's also listed as a Series 80...which it's not. He may not even realize that the slide is out of spec. Probably got it on a trade and decided to try and make a buck.

Think somebody oughta put a bug in his ear?