I have a Model 39-2 that has recently started acting up. My son had it out today and reported numerous failures to eject, using three different magazines and several different brands of ammo. As he describes it, with the mags loaded to capacity, it fires and ejects fine until the last two to three rounds in the mag. it happens with the original mag, one aftermarket mag and with a newer, stainless 9-round mag. The mag springs have all been replaced, we've tried different weight recoil springs and it still continues. What happens is best described as a stove pipe jam, but the offending case ends up mouth down, rather than up.

Anyone have an idea where the problem might lie? Could there be a problem with the extractor not getting a good grip on the case? It looks OK, the hook not broken or chipped, so I don't know what to look for. I've had this thing for probably 30 years or so, never really shot it a whole lot, and it just started acting up. Might it be worth checking with S&W about sending it in for a check up?

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Gary

With the recent failures to extract/eject that you reported, I would look at the extractor. Soaking and cleaning with solvent would remove hardened oil in the extractor seat that should restore full function to the extractor.

Well, today I took the gun down and found some things. First, there is a removal of the anodizing on the rails. I would expect some wear in the rail areas, but these rails are almost bare of the anodizing. I also found the recoil spring guide rod to be scored lengthwise almost all the way around, and the bluing/anodizing worn off of it as well. It's been awhile since I've done anything with this gun, since it's been in my son's possession, but my thoughts are, he's been shooting it virtually dry. I can't come up with another explanation for the wear that I'm sure wasn't there when I passed this one on to my son. I did check and clean out the extractor and can't find any issues there. I lubed it up properly and if I get a chance this week, I'm going to take it to the range myself and see if I can duplicate what he's having happen. I sent an email to S&W and will try calling tomorrow to see if they still even service something this old. My inclination at this point is, if I can get Smith & Wesson to take a look at it and maybe restore some of its former glory, it's going to be staying with me, until I can impress upon my kid the necessity of properly caring for such a fine weapon...

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Gary