I think I need to tune the extractor on one of my 1911 pistols.  It used to feed perfectly but now it is starting to have failure to extract.  Also, all the brass from my reload used to drop about 4-5 feet to my right in a small area but now it flies all over the place including my face.

HELP!!  

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... I used to buy several steel extractors at fun shows for about $4 each and "tinker" with differing angles. The stiffness plays a big role on how far they land from you, have you lowered your port yet?

... Then I bought a Chip McCormick

Basically, you tune it by bending it.  Take it out, turn it around and put the back end in the hole in the slide.  Use the slide as a handle and bend the extractor a bit so that it grabs the cartridge rim with a bit more force.  Push near the end and go easy.  It takes a fair amount of force and you don't need to bend it much.  When it's reassembled, a loaded cartridge should be held against the breechface and just hang down a little.  

[url]www.brownells.com[/url] sells gauges to measure the force, as well a a neat tool to bend the extractor.  My thumb seems to work OK.

Sounds like yours might need a little more spring.  Also make sure your ejector is still on tight.  A loose ejector could add to the spray you're talking about.

Before you buy or do anything, I suggest you read the stuff on this page. Lots of really good articles, etc, about tuning and enhancing a 1911 pistol.
[url]http://www.m1911.org/technic.htm[/url]

Hey yobo!  I had similar problems with one of my Kimbers.  Sometimes not feeding, and other times throwing brass way out.  It had always been great and absolutely no malfunctions.  Then I read in my 1911 book that it was most likely the recoil spring.  So, I put in a new recoil spring and everything was back to normal.  You might try this.  It soesn't cost much and you can always use another spring.  Good luck and hope your problems is solved soon.

Bulletguy;

That was the first thing I tried.  I changed the recoil spring to a new one with same weight but it didn't do anything.  I still think the problem is with the extractor.

18 pound works for me, as well.  I also cut the extractor groove a little deeper.

Eddie

Have to make sure you use the chamber brush periodically also.......[:)]