I have a pre-war N frame smith that I have rebarreled. My question is how does one adjust the overall length of the extractor rod to match with the locking lug in the barrel extractor cutout? Is it possibly done by shortening or lengthening the extractor tube collar in the cylinder? I would rather not alter the original rod as finding right hand extractor rods for N frames is hit and miss at best. Thanks riversalmon

Yes, that would be the easiest way of shortening or lengthening the rod slightly. S&W used to make three different length collars, a .150", a .179"(standard), and a .190", although I'm not sure if the different collars are still available. The collars could then be fit to the individual barrel length depending on the exact location of the locking lug's final position.

I'm assuming the collars were available for situations when barrels were turned back, etc.

Some lattitude is also available by "fine tuning" the business end of the locking lug itself.....and, it can be let-out some if needed, by opening the slot where the locking lug pin rides.

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Ret LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer