I have a 39-2 I am having extractor problems with. I have used a variety of ammo by manufacturer, bullet weight and bullet style. About 1 round out of 15 will fail to extract and of course the next bullet will stack on top trying to chamber. Once I drop the magazine and clear the jam the fired casing will just drop out so it is not getting stuck, the extractor just seems to fail to grab on. Are the extractors adjustable on these old guns like a 1911? Any other suggestions to cure the ailment?

To my knowledge the extractor is not 'adjustable' however if it's worn or damaged, it may need to be replaced. Do you have more than one magazine and if so, does the problem happen with each of them?

I'll mention with some trepidation limp wristing as well, although I suspect this 'problem' appears in print far more often than in real life.

__________________
So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Has a similar issue with my 39-2. A Wolff extractor spring resolved the problem.

__________________
"Your other right........."

I have a similar problem with my like new 39-2. It hates Blazer Brass and choke on every other round. Other ammo appears to work fine. I have replaced the extractor spring, a cheap and fairly easy job. This has helped slightly with the BB ammo.
I still need to address another issue and that's the high spot I seem to have in the chamber. If I drop an unfired round in the chamber I can feel it sticking or dragging so I definitely have a tight spot. I've tried polishing with little effect, I need to have someone run a chamber reamer through it and that should cure the problem.
Why BB ammo hangs up I don't know. Maybe the rim is a little undersized or maybe their brass expands a little more than others.
I also have a 39 that runs flawlessly and has no high spots in the chamber.
Start off with replacing your springs and go from there. Buy a complete spring kit and change as many springs as you feel you need to.
Enjoy your 39, they're a great pistol, 59s too.
Cheers

Good point - I forgot about the spring being a source of potential problems.

__________________
So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Both mags have the same issue.
I have intentionally tried limp wristing to the point of the gun nearly jumping out of my hand and it has no affect.
The gun has sat for many years as a safe queen. I stripped it down yesterday and gave it a good Hope's #9 bath. Since it is such an occasional issue there may have been some old powder deposits around the extractor hook. I will get it out to the range end of the week and see if the issue continues. If so I would guess it is the spring due to age as the ejector looks like new.

In following up on my extractor issue I found out information that may help someone else with model 39 extraction issues. I spoke with a retired S&W gunsmith that told me that the extractor spring was factory set between 7 and 11#. The main issue with extraction is the spring gets weak. I gave him my slide and he measured the extractor spring pressure at 3.5#. He replaced the spring resulting in 8# of pressure. 100+ round with zero failures. He said it is just an age issue with the spring. It made a believer out of me. I hope this helps someone else out there with model 39 extraction issues.