I'm new to the forum and have a no dash Model 39 that I picked up in the early 70's. Only recently started shooting it with some regularity and experiencing issues with extracting consistently. I can't figure out how to remove the extractor to check/replace spring. Any suggestions on how to remove the extractor or where I can find any printed instructions on how to perform a complete breakdown of this great shooting little beauty. Thanks, CWB

A 39 no dash has no separate extractor spring in that the extractor is the spring. It is removed by first removing the safety and then flexing the extractor in order to slide it back out of its mortise. This is quite involved and may be unnecessary anyway.

Here's what I suggest. First, make sure it has a hook on the end that will pull the case from the chamber. If it does not, you need a new one. If it does, then clean the chamber meticulously. Check the walls of the chamber to make sure they are smooth. Then test fire again.

If it still does not extract, try different ammunition. Something else to try if it still does not extract is to put a very light coat of lube on the case only. If the rounds are lightly lubed, almost any old hook will do and that is a good idea for defensive use anyway.

Uh?! No oil on cases!!!! It can cause excessive back thrust onto the breach face.

Breach loading firearms rely on the case expanding, momentarily, to minimize back thrust.

This is a very common misconception that has no foundation. Designers always decide on steels, heat treatment, and dimensions as if the case was not even there. That is because they have to.For instance, how many people actually chemically degrease the chamber after cleaning with solvent or something similar to Break Free? Thus every first and probably second or third round from a freshly cleaned barrel is fired from a lubed chamber.

Sure, there will be more back thrust and that is the whole idea. The lubricated empty case will then be extracted with less resistance. Not only that advantage applies, but if the case is bottle necked such as in rifles there is less chance of a case head separation.

A failure to extract is very serious in a defensive situation, and lightly lubing the case minimizes this possibility.

Welcome to the best gun forum extant, cwb. I hope you stick around, despite the fact that I envy you that nice pistol.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions. I had previously checked to make sure that the extractor was still intact, has tension and it will hold an empty casing. I have also tried 2 different magazines and 3 different brands and types of ammo with similar results. I've hand racked several magazines loaded with snap caps and it never failed to extract a single one.
Can you tell me what the trick is to remove the safety to get the extractor out if that becomes necessary? Is there any printed material out there that identifies how to perform a complete breakdown of the no dash 39? CWB

Clean your 39 no dash thoroughly, and apply a nice coat of Renaissance Wax. Now, either offer it for sale here in the Marketplace, or find a spot to display it prominently with the rest of your collection. Then, buy yourself a nice 39-2 and enjoy!

Best of both worlds.