I was surprised to find out that my Benelli MP 95E shoots well without an extractor. Is this common? I don't think it has ever had one since I owned it, but when my friend bought one like it, I noticed the extractor in his.

This is the pistol:

http://www.armyrecognition.com/europe/Italie/Armes/Benelli/Benelli_MP95-E_Nera_Pistol_italy_01.jpg

Believe it's a blow back...and most b low backs will blow the case out of the chamber, have it hit the ejector, and toss it out of the gun almost aqll of the time without an extractor to help it along. Will randonly toss ejected brass and it does make removing a chambered but unfired round a real trial.

The little Beretta pocket pistols (JEtfire and Minx) were desigined to work without an extractor...and they do just fine.

In blow-back operated semi-automatics the extractor usually only is needed to extract an un-fired cartrideg. Otherwise they usually function perfectly well without one. The small frame Beretta pistols, regardless of caliber, don't have extractors. But the cartridge can be removed easily with the fingers by popping the barrel up.

An old-old ASmerican Rifleman test (back in the 1950's or so) took several 9mm and .45 pistols, cut the extractor hook off, and tried them for functioning. Even though these are locked breech guns (Colt 1911, Browning HP, Walther P-38, Luger, etc.) the results were surprising.

ALL but one could be coached to stublem through a few repeat shots per magazine...the one that just flat refused to cycle was the Luger.

Eveidently, with most lcoked breeches, there is still some pressure left at the time of breech opening...not enough to be realible, but enough that the extractor doesn't do all of the work alone.
-----------
In the late 1960's and early 1970's, discovered that the lib. at Nicholles Stae University (thibodaux, La.) had the complete set of Ameriacn Rifleman in bound yearly volumes...between study sessions, beer, pizza, and other fun things, found time to go theough all they had on hand during my time there.

Thanks for the responses. I contacted the dealer and he said, "...It is possible for the pistol to operate without those parts, but not likely." This is the most reliable rim fire pistol I have owned. I've tried a fair number of different makes of ammunition and it handles them all well.

Is it cut for an extractor? If so, would suggest getting one installed if only to have a complete pistol. My shooting pard has a Benelli, will ask him about this.

Is it cut for an extractor? If so, would suggest getting one installed if only to have a complete pistol. My shooting pard has a Benelli, will ask him about this.
I can see where the extractor is suppose to go, just like the one my friend has, but I suppose it all flew out at some time in the past. I don't think it has ever been in the gun since I owned it. I bought it through gunbroker.com. The extractor looks fragile (as well as the firing pin). I suspect that this pistol is a high maintenance gun. But if it works so well withough the extractor, I think it is kinda cool. I've probably shot a thousand rounds through it.

Hard to argue with the concept of fewer parts and works just as well. ;)

Would caution you to ALWAYS look into the breech to make sure there is NOTHING in the chamber after a shooting session or anytime you handle the pistol. Can't trust an extractor (if you had one) to always clear the chamber and looking is the best assurance.

Good advice, Marshal Kane. Thanks.

MyGrizzly .45 Mag will NOT function without the extractor. Mine broke the tip off, and I was done. Darned aggravating, since I didn't know they could break. . .now, there are spares so that it will never happen again, of course.

If new or inexperienced shooters are using the gun, an extractor could help to avoid an accident. It's so easy to tip the gun sideways, trigger finger in guard, and turn to ask what's wrong--Boom!

I'd recommend having it function properly all the way around.