Original link: http://modernserviceweapons.com/?p=131
I’m a bit confused, do I load 1 round in a magazine, insert it into the firearm, chamber the round, drop the mag, and fire?
I’m a bit weary having the slide drop after the round is fired with no mag to catch the slide lock.
Yes, the test is performed without a mag in place. If the extractor is functioning correctly, the empty will eject out of the ejection port between 2 and 5 o’clock.
Yes you fire the weapon with no magazine inserted. The whole purpose is to check extraction/ejection without a magazine follower supporting the round. I will not be a problem to fire 14 to 16 rounds with the slide going home on an empty chamber.
My Sig scorpion carry has never malfunctioned with metalform mags, but will drop the round down the magwell everytime doing this test. Our old armorer at work use to perform this test on every pistol he replaced the extractor in. Not sure why, probably just habbit. David
Great test. Took his 1911 armorers class and feel confident with my Springfield professional now.
He’s talking about the slide dropping without a round in it.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=121153
^
Like that.
MS: It is used as a diagnostic “test” to see if the extractor is functioning properly.
Dropping the slide with no round on to of the follower is a surefire way to FU a Wilson 47_ magazine follower to were it will not raise the slide stop enough to engage the slide stop cut out on the slide. Worse yet it partially raises it and it just catches the bottom edge of the window and peens it.
I know that. I’m just trying to clarify about what the OP is asking.
I know that my 1911 passes the extractor test. But he’s talking about it being detrimental because of hammer follow if you do it.
As a 1911 owner you do have a valid concern. On a user level this is considered a no no. On an amorer level it is a useful tool to diagnose an extractor problem. It is also similar to checking a pistol for hammer follow after adjusting lock work. They are not talking about going to the range an doing 50 extractor ‘drills’, just a couple times and you should have your answer. The same for checking hammer follow. Do I advocate doing a hammer follow check every time I re-assemble my pistol after cleaning, no. I do recommend it though after altering sear & hammer hook geometry. These tests are diagnostic/ necessary evils.
When an extractor is installed in a pistol, there are several checks performed and modifications made to the extractor to help guarantee reliable extraction. When the gun is proofed you run it hard, soft ect trying to choke it. If it fails you diagnose the problem based on where it happened in the firing cycle.
Failure to extract can have several causes, a worn/broken hook, clocking, weak tension either from improper initial set up or loss of tension due to metal fatigue which is the general death of extractors at 7-10k. Another is ammo, in particular excessively reloaded brass with dinged up rims. God I hate throwing that stuff out after I’ve spent the time to deprime and clean even if its tough to get in the shell holder.
Understood. So I guess the consensus is it’s okay to perform the drill?
I currently just got a new Colt and would like to check if the extractor is properly functioning. Tension seemed good with a snap cap, but I wanted to be sure.
Yes it’s ok to do the test. Over time, letting the slide slam forward on an empty chamber can damage the sear nose, doing it a few times won’t hurt anything. 1911s aren’t nearly as fragile as some folks make them out to be.
Are you having extraction problems on the new Colt? If so please elaborate.
I actually have not been able to shoot the Colt since I got it about a week ago due to ammo shortage.
I do have other 1911’s where I’ll get a stovepipe or FTF about every 400-700 rounds with CMC magazines though and I decided that it may be a good idea to diagnose and find out what may be the problem.
I checked extractor tension, seemed to be good, and I currently have 18.5lb recoil springs on the way from Brownells. I would post a picture of the feed ramp and barrel but I am currently not home.
If the extractor is the issue, I may get the EGW HD Extractor or Wilson BP Extractor and have a smith tune and fit it.
I’d like to add a comment here if that’s okay ? I will assume it is so I will proceed;
There is no reason to do it from slide lock - insert a magazine (on a slide forward pistol) with at least one round loaded in the magazine, cycle the slide (thus chambering the round), and then drop the mag to perform the live fire extractor test
Watch for ejection - it should be consistent with ‘normal’ ejection ( meaning live fire with a mag in place )
Repeat the procedure
I do this for one complete magazine - in my experience , for what that’s worth, one or two rounds is not sufficient
Also to clarify Hilton ( and Tim by proxy ) got this test from me - I in turn got it from Ken Hackathorn
Credit where credit is due
As I understand it: There is a difference in the effect on the gun between dropping the slide on an empty chamber with the trigger forward and doing the same thing with the trigger back.
If you fire a round with no magazine the trigger is back when the slide drops. The sear doesn’t get “pounded” if the trigger is back.
Thats exactly how it was taught to us in the 10-8 class. Nice to know the origin of the test.
Very cool to know that Ken was behind it. I guess I’ll give it a go the next time I hit the range.
Oh? What do YOU know about 1911s? :p:D
Never mind… Not apples to apples…
If you were worried about damage to the sear couldn’t you just put upward tension on the slide stop as you pulled the trigger? I’ve never tried that, but seems like it would work.
I’ve never done this test and ill do it next time I go to the range.
Unless you have an ultra light trigger job somewhere around 2# you’re not going to hurt anything.