Round in the chamber lead to extractor problems?

[VMJade]

Hey All,

Was wondering- does anyone know if a round in the chamber for long periods of time (i.e. weeks) will cause an extractor to stop functioning?

Here's the story:

Kept my 1911 ready to go for about 2-3 months straight, unloaded it, threw it in the safe for about 6 months. Took it to the last group shoot, and the damned thing refused to extract brass from 2 different boxes of ammo. Didn't happen often, about 1 round a mag, but enough that I know it's not a reliable carry weapon now.

I'm wondering if keeping a round in the chamber damaged the extractor somehow? It doesn't seem to be a problem on my Glock, but the Glock has an external extractor, whereas my 1911 has an internal. Thoughts?

Best,

Jade

[gf45acp]

Best I can say is that it never did in my Colt Combat Commander, and it was, at time's, ready to go for months at a time. I got it in 1979.

[Lycanthrope]

Lube in the chamber get cold and get sticky?

Otherwise...no.

Lycandon'tsayyouusegreaseanywherethrope

[Pa. Patriot]

Typically, No.

You will first want to disassemble the slide and make sure the extractor channel is clean. That's one of the places in a 1911 that collects an incredible amount of crud, brass/coppe shavings, etc.
Also inspect the extractor claw for damage/grime.

Barring that, next most common problem in my experience is extractor tension may need adjusted.. Best to take to a knowledgeable smith for that.
Obviously there are other possibilities, to which I will not e listing those are the two most common that I see.

ETA: I thought about adding the mention of lube in the chamber (a no-no) and grease. But lycan already covered that..

[marinakorp]

Depends n how you got hte round in to the chamber.

If you dropped the slide on a round in the chamber... then this could lead to extractor problems.

Other common problems are cleaning and proper tension of the extractor.

Otherwise...no just leaving a loaded round in the chamber will not cause a problem.

There are may be other things going on here.

My carry 1911 Stays loaded with a round in the chamber for extended periods of time without problems...sometimes a few months.

[VMJade]

I'll have to check the extractor channel- but on the bright side, the only places I use lube (never grease) are the slide rails and maybe a drop rubbed into the barrel where the slide rubs it.

Thanks for all the responses!

Now that I look at it, the extractor does look a bit worn down.

Lycan, would you mind taking a look at the next group shoot?

ETA: It's always loaded by putting a mag in and dropping the slide, never shoving a round directly into the chamber.

[Lycanthrope]

Originally Posted by VMJade

Thanks for all the responses!

Now that I look at it, the extractor does look a bit worn down.

Lycan, would you mind taking a look at the next group shoot?

ETA: It's always loaded by putting a mag in and dropping the slide, never shoving a round directly into the chamber.

I can look it over anytime, but grease on a 1911 in any sort of cold can lock it up fast.....even the rails. It's hard to wear an extractor hook. Break one, yes...wear one....well not in 30,000 rounds in my experience.

Cleaning the extractor channel is a must. Use a Q-tip with lighter fluid.

Lycandon'tsmokethrope

[Adam M Geer]

i would say clean it up every 2-3 weeks even if you did not fire it... dust and fuzz will get in and cake... so just lube it and use it!