I wouldn't get too worked up about the 52/52-1 long extractor supposedly being prone to breakage... while it is true that you can't get a replacement extractor from S&W anymore, Numrich occasionally has them. Also, it is almost common to see 52/52-1 gun packages for sale where the original owner ordered a replacement extractor "just in case!" and never needed to use it.

There are 52/52-1's for sale all the time and all that I see have a fully functional extractor in them.

Frankly, I believe it's absolutely overblown.