Do you guys clean extractor channels?

sideKahr · December 1st, 2008, 05:34 PM

I bought an old beater Colt 1911 a while back to just have fun with, and I've been shooting it quite a bit lately.

I decided to learn how to completely disassemble the pistol, and the first thing I tried (beyond normal field stripping) was to remove the firing pin and extractor. Holy smokes, it was filthy in there! So dirty, I'm surprised these parts were functioning.

How often do you guys clean these areas? Are there any other parts I'm ignoring and should be disassembling after shooting? (Note: I DO disassemble magazines.)

Thanks.

JD · December 1st, 2008, 05:39 PM

YES! Funny thing is that I just wrote a blog entry on this very same subject.

Failure to keep the extractor clean can result in massive issues, like not removing the spent case.

On average I clean out the extractor channel and check the extractor for wear about every 1000 rounds.

I've also found that if it's really, really bad in there, that a .17 bore brush will fit in there rather nicely.

Regarding other parts, I do a full detail strip, again about every thousand rounds or so, some go longer, some go less.

Pending on what 1911 you have, there are different parts I would check for cleanliness and serviceability.

If it a Kimber or other 1911 with the Swartz safety, I will check the "lifter" for damage.

If it's got the "Series 80 Firing Pin Safety"

I will clean and check those parts.

IMHO, about every 1000 rounds, you should do a full strip, clean, inspect, and properly lube what needs lubing.

Some will say that 1000 is too many, some will say it's too few.

It really depends on how much shooting you do, what you shoot, and how you care for your gun, 1K is not gospel, but it's a nice average number in my opinion.

sideKahr · December 1st, 2008, 05:43 PM

Thanks, man. I had no idea there were blogs on this site.

JD · December 1st, 2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sideKahr

Thanks, man. I had no idea there were blogs on this site.

It's a newer feature.

Dieselnut · December 1st, 2008, 07:58 PM

I'm assuming this applies to handguns in general, not just 1911s? So, if one is a relative newbie and field stripping is as much as one knows... how would one go about further disassembly for the purpose of cleaning? Do manufacturers prefer you don't mess around with the more delicate parts?

JD · December 1st, 2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselnut

I'm assuming this applies to handguns in general, not just 1911s?

Yes and no, some guns require more cleaning than others.

Quote:

So, if one is a relative newbie and field stripping is as much as one knows... how would one go about further disassembly for the purpose of cleaning?

One would locate instructions on go to disassemble the gun further in order to clean all the parts.

Quote:

Do manufacturers prefer you don't mess around with the more delicate parts?

Generally, they prefer you to follow the steps in the book. That usually ends up with someone taking a dirty gun to a gunsmith if things stop working due to crud build up, and the smith cleans the gun, but if one knows or learns the proper way to do things, it's generally not an issue.

cphilip · December 1st, 2008, 08:25 PM

Most times I do

Dieselnut · December 1st, 2008, 08:26 PM

I have a tendency to disassemble things I shouldn't, which is why I ask

I'll have to investigate the matter a little further, I'd like to be able to give the gun a really detailed cleaning every so often. Thank you for clarifying things for me.

spooter66 · December 1st, 2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselnut

I have a tendency to disassemble things I shouldn't, which is why I ask

I'll have to investigate the matter a little further, I'd like to be able to give the gun a really detailed cleaning every so often. Thank you for clarifying things for me.

There are several very good videos on YouTube on how to completely break down and reassemble a 1911.

GWRedDragon · December 1st, 2008, 09:56 PM

I shot 10,000 rounds through my Glock before I ever decided to detail strip it to clean it (in a way the manual wouldn't like me to). The extractor was completely caked, only the little tip that does the work was clear. I kinda got the impression that it was designed so that the tip would clean itself as it extracts, but I cleaned it anyway. Took a good amount of Hoppes and wire brush.

As an aside, I also removed quite a lot of grime from the firing pin channel...so despite what Glock says, I really do now believe that detail stripping is a good idea and the only reason they tell you not to is so some moron doesn't fill the firing pin channel with grease.

December 1st, 2008, 05:34 PM	#1
sideKahr Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PA Posts: 28	Do you guys clean extractor channels? I bought an old beater Colt 1911 a while back to just have fun with, and I've been shooting it quite a bit lately. I decided to learn how to completely disassemble the pistol, and the first thing I tried (beyond normal field stripping) was to remove the firing pin and extractor. Holy smokes, it was filthy in there! So dirty, I'm surprised these parts were functioning. How often do you guys clean these areas? Are there any other parts I'm ignoring and should be disassembling after shooting? (Note: I DO disassemble magazines.) Thanks. __________________ He is a good man. But until all men are like him, we must keep our swords bright.

December 1st, 2008, 05:39 PM	#2
JD Senior Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 11,640	YES! Funny thing is that I just wrote a blog entry on this very same subject. Failure to keep the extractor clean can result in massive issues, like not removing the spent case. On average I clean out the extractor channel and check the extractor for wear about every 1000 rounds. I've also found that if it's really, really bad in there, that a .17 bore brush will fit in there rather nicely. Regarding other parts, I do a full detail strip, again about every thousand rounds or so, some go longer, some go less. Pending on what 1911 you have, there are different parts I would check for cleanliness and serviceability. If it a Kimber or other 1911 with the Swartz safety, I will check the "lifter" for damage. If it's got the "Series 80 Firing Pin Safety" I will clean and check those parts. IMHO, about every 1000 rounds, you should do a full strip, clean, inspect, and properly lube what needs lubing. Some will say that 1000 is too many, some will say it's too few. It really depends on how much shooting you do, what you shoot, and how you care for your gun, 1K is not gospel, but it's a nice average number in my opinion. __________________ Some Things Need to be Addressed... Iowa Carry.ORG: Promoting Weapons Carry Reform in Iowa Forum Customs & Courtesies

December 1st, 2008, 05:43 PM	#3
sideKahr Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PA Posts: 28	Thanks, man. I had no idea there were blogs on this site. __________________ He is a good man. But until all men are like him, we must keep our swords bright.

December 1st, 2008, 07:58 PM	#5
Dieselnut Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 118	I'm assuming this applies to handguns in general, not just 1911s? So, if one is a relative newbie and field stripping is as much as one knows... how would one go about further disassembly for the purpose of cleaning? Do manufacturers prefer you don't mess around with the more delicate parts? __________________ Don't ever underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

December 1st, 2008, 08:25 PM	#7
cphilip Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,727	Most times I do __________________ www.cphilip.com

December 1st, 2008, 08:26 PM	#8
Dieselnut Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 118	I have a tendency to disassemble things I shouldn't, which is why I ask I'll have to investigate the matter a little further, I'd like to be able to give the gun a really detailed cleaning every so often. Thank you for clarifying things for me. __________________ Don't ever underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

December 1st, 2008, 09:56 PM	#10
GWRedDragon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,155	I shot 10,000 rounds through my Glock before I ever decided to detail strip it to clean it (in a way the manual wouldn't like me to). The extractor was completely caked, only the little tip that does the work was clear. I kinda got the impression that it was designed so that the tip would clean itself as it extracts, but I cleaned it anyway. Took a good amount of Hoppes and wire brush. As an aside, I also removed quite a lot of grime from the firing pin channel...so despite what Glock says, I really do now believe that detail stripping is a good idea and the only reason they tell you not to is so some moron doesn't fill the firing pin channel with grease. __________________ "Trust in God with hand on sword" -Inscription on my family's coat of arms from medieval England

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