As noted, the 1911 extractor is essential to the function and reliability of the pistol. Like I mentioned, the purpose of the extractor is to extract spent cartridge cases from the chamber of the firearm. Sounds simple enough; but why is that important? Any case that remains lodged in the chamber will prevent subsequent cartridges from being loaded and will therefore inhibit further use until it has been cleared. This was a major issue associated with the M16 in its early days.

So how does the 1911 extractor work? The 1911 extractor is located inside the slide of the pistol. Upon each discharge, the slide is forced rearward. During its travel, the claw of the extractor will latch onto the rim of the cartridge case. As the slide continues its rearward movement, the case will be removed from the chamber and readied for ejection. This newly-manufactured part was manufactured to mil-spec 1911 specifications and features a black oxide finish. Note that some gunsmithing may be required for a perfect fit in your pistol.

Spare parts are an important consideration when it comes to firearms. Like any machine, firearms rely on a series of parts to function properly, especially all components that impact the firing sequence. In general, if a part breaks or fails, a repair or replacement becomes necessary immediately – not only to keep a firearm functioning properly but also to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.

It is also important to consider availability. At this time, Keepshooting.com is seeking to provide our customers with a wide selection of replacement parts for the M1911 pistol. Several parts are now readily available on our website at an affordable price. If you have any need for spare parts, now would be a good time to take advantage of this offering.

Continued use of a pistol results in the wear of critical moving parts. When an extractor wears down, it could cause reliability issues. This makes it a good idea to keep spare parts on hand.