Hi all,
I just became the proud owner of a Model 41 pistol. Shoots great when it runs but unfortunately it has serious extraction problems. From what I have found searching online it seems to be a common problem where the spent case gets turned around without being fully ejected, blocking the next round from being chambered.

My first thought was an issue with the extractor, since it felt extremely loose with no real tension on it. I stripped down the gun and removed the bolt and the extractor claw.

Here is where I am a little confused. After I removed the bolt from the slide, I did not see the extractor plunger or spring come out. I shined my flashlight inside the crevice where they should reside and couldn't see anything. After adding some penetrating oil and lightly scraping with a pick I got to what you can see here:





I am sorry for the quality of the image, but it is very difficult to get a good angle on this! My question is as follows: Is this the actual extractor plunger rusted into place? Looking at the images from the camera it looks much rustier in there than I can see with the naked eye. Or are the plunger and spring simply missing and this is what the bottom of the extractor spring rests against? I don't have another 41 to refer to and I couldn't find any close up images online of this specific area. Thank you in advance for any advice!

Instead of modifying the extractor you might want to consider either different ammunition or a different recoil spring. My 41 is very reliable with Aguilla SV ammo but has the ejection problem you describe with Federal HV bulk pack ammo. A fellow shooter has installed a heavier Wolf recoil spring and uses the Federal bulk pack HV ammo.

It appears your extractor spring & plunger are frozen in place, probably by rust. I'd suggest first placing the slide vertical in a padded vise and letting PB Parts Blaster soak into the area. Flood the area, leaving a puddle on top of the extractor plunger and repeat for several days.

Alternatively, you could put the slide in a bucket of kerosene for several days to accomplish about the same thing.

Attempt to work the plunger/spring about once per day until things work freely. After you get the plunger/spring out, clean the hole thoroughly and I'd replace at least the spring. I'd suggest a dry film lube for the plunger & hole.

If you want a skematic, go to the Brownells website and check the factory parts section for S&W model 41.

nope thats the end of the plunger ya see in there...

it's stuck down in place due to rust, mine did the same thing.. don't know why ,but it did..

Anyhow, penetrating oil and a small punch or other suitable tool , work the plunger in and out, keep flooding the area with oil,untill it comes free.. then I used a small drill bit to clean out the plunger/spring hole
(watch for the spring flying out). I used a small dab of RIG when I reassembled the plunger and haven't had a problem since..

ACE - what is the SN range of your 41. Guessing a fairly recent one as extractor area machining appears unlike earlier slide milling. With the extractor being "loose", would guess it is a manufacturing fault. Older slides could take a lot of abuse before crud affected the extractor, and never had one stuck as you describe. If a new piece - back to S&W for correct fix.

__________________
TOMBECK

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies! I thought it looked like the top of the plunger but just wanted to be sure before I spent a lot of time trying to get it out! I'll keep soaking it in penetrating oil and working it a little until I get it out. Tom, according to the serial it was made in 1979-80 I believe. If this doesn't resolve the issue then I'll probably send it back to S&W but if I can fix it myself with a replacement spring then all the better. Thanks again!

Edit: Kritter, after you cleaned it out and replaced the spring did it resolve any issues you were having with the pistol?

yes, it solved the extraction problem I was having..

Great, thank you. I picked this up with a Model 52 which I haven't shot yet... hopefully it will function without issue! But just wanted to say that this forum has already been invaluable in gathering information on these two firearms as well as the Model 10-5 I picked up a few years ago. Thanks again to everyone for all the great advice.

Just a quick update and one more question; after soaking for days in a penetrating oil, then trying again for a few more days in WD-40 I still cannot remove the plunger. This guy is really stuck! I spoke to Smith & Wesson and they sent me a Fedex label for free return shipping to their service department but since it was purchased used it will not be a warranty repair. Since I will be paying for the repair out of pocket anyway, is there anyplace else you Model 41 guys recommend I send it or is S&W factory service the best option? Thanks again!

S&W prices aren't that bad plus they have all the parts and the expertise to solve your problem. I'd send it to S&W for sure.
In the future if you need a good penetrating oil then use a 50/50 mix of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and acetone. Penetrates twice as well as Kroil and almost five times better than WD-40.

WD-40 is not a penetrating oil. Acetone/ATF is best, as said above, but AeroKroil is great stuff; give a good penetrating oil a chance.

__________________
Member NRA, VSSA & Cavalier R&P

Ace;

You won't like this remedy, but I have been successful removing these, by setting the slide up and boring a small hole at 45 degrees to the plunger bore. I then fish a small wire thru and push the plunger and spring out..if the slide is a pristine safe queen, the little hole can be tig welded closed, faced off, reblued..Good as new..

Good luck
Jerry