I shoot with a bunch of old pharts who also are members of the local gun club. We all shoot 39s and 52s with long extractors.
Our Senior member all ways says as we step up to shoot
" Darn, I hope nobody breaks an extractor."
Do any members have personal experience with breakage?
Please post if you have.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

No personal experience.... had a pre-39 w/ the long extractor a 99% gun so I never shot it........ but the consensus of what I've read is breakage happens if you drop the slide on a chambered round.

The long extractor was the major change in the -2 guns.

I bought a 52-1 many years ago, heard the same thing a lot so over the years I picked up a couple extra extractors.

They sit in my parts bins probably there forever.

__________________
Goal Life Member
Traveling Man

The long extractor on the early 52s can be problematic. Since the extractor is slightly beveled, crud can build up underneath in the well of the extractor which can impede it's flexibility leading to fractures and breakage if not attended to. I recently disassembled a 52-1 that I had just purchased and found powder residue caked in the well under the extractor.

All extractors have crud build up. Clean the darn thing.
Im talkin about breakage. Nobody has stepped up yet.
Is this an old myth?

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Do you by chance have any documented proof of this ?

__________________
B.E.Master in&outdoor
D.R.#99

Yep, an old myth.

__________________
B.E.Master in&outdoor
D.R.#99

I have the same issue.

__________________
B.E.Master in&outdoor
D.R.#99

I understand what you are saying. You don't need to get snarky about it as I'm basically only offering advice. Very few owners of Model 52s would even attempt the removal of the long extractors fearing that they could possibly break it. The crud underneath I found to be pretty well packed in necessitating the use of a pick to get it out. Since I found the crud to be tightly packed in, the possibility of premature breakage, due to lack of flexibility, is there. I'm certainly not speaking as an expert, only trying to be helpful.

Hey kid, no intent to be snarky. I appreciate your helpful observation.
Im thinking the change to the short extractor was purely a financial one.
Since this post, I have received three PMs from members offering to sell the long extractors. I can understand an extractor breaking upon removal for maintenance.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I truly wasn't around nor aware when the 52-1 became the 52-2, but there is a longstanding member here named, if I recall correctly, "ISP Capt" and he has a lot of hands-on familiarity with the Model 39/59 service history with the Illinois State Police.

It is a good bet that when the 52-2 was rolled out, it had MORE to do with the upgrade of the very similar 39-2 extractor over the original no-dash 39 long extractor than it did about Model 52-1 extractor failure.

Yes, for certain, gunmakers often "evolve" designs based on financial advantages, no doubt whatsoever. The external extractor on a 1911 pistol is EXACTLY that (it turns off many 1911 fans) but in the case of the Model 52, I have a hunch that it was based on the 39/39-2 more so than anything having to do with 52/52-1 failures.

The other angle...
Back in the heyday of the 52 (1960's thru early/mid 70's), magazine gun writers were -GODS- and sometimes, their conclusions became fact, legend, or the ultimate answer. I believe it was perhaps gunwriters that made every 52-1 owner buy two extra extractors that to this day they never used. Just my guess.

Sevens, a most interesting opinion. Some of you and some of me.
All ways appreciate the different angle. You mentioned 1911 extractors.
Never saw a broken one. Lots that had been over modified that just did not work. So, is this old myth about extractors fading or is it dead?

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Fading or dead? I don't know, since over the years I have heard (NOT documented) many complaints about extractor failure on the early Model 52. Hopefully someone on this forum will read these post and offer their own personal experience with a broken extractor on a Model 52. I should mention that I also have a spare early Model 52 extractor in my spare parts kit.

Don't know about the durability of 52-1 vs 52-2 extractors but I have experienced a broken one on my 1911

The 52 extractor -- is it a myth? I can't be sure. Is it fading? I would say it is NOT fading. Folks that do not yet have a 52 and want one much prefer a 52-2 and that seems to be something most will agree upon.

Whether you have a 52-1 or a 52-2, if you DO need to replace an extractor, it's likely to be more difficult to find the older long extractor.

What's the "Senior member" have to say about it?

I'd be concerned about an extractor that has a reputation
for *breaking*, upon removal...

I did remove the long extractor from my 52-1 to clean underneath. It's a bit tricky to do but I did it. Reinstalling was the easiest part. I'm still nervous about possibly breaking it when removing it.

Just so i understand, 39/59/52 long extractors are the same, compatible across the different models? Picked up a 52-1, and would like to scrounge around for a spare, just in case. There is one on GB, for $150, yikes. Thanks in advance.

Well, the 59 never had the big, long extractor. But no, I really do not think that the 39 and 52 used the exact same extractor, when you consider the rim size of a .38 Special round versus a 9mm, it would seem hard to imagine they are the same at the hook end where the work is done.

I say this without having actual knowledge of it. I do own a no-dash 39 but all my 52's have been 52-2's.

Have had one broken extractor on a Colt 1911. Factory original parts. Hook just broke off. Replaced it. No further problems. Sincerely. bruce.

__________________
<><

Have never broken an extractor but have broken the ejector on a 52. Finally I was able to get a new one, think it was from Brownells. Little tricky getting it in but the 52 ejected pretty well without one. At the time numerous individuals had broken ejectors and couldn't find one.

Here is a picture of an IL State Police Mod 39 which just sold at auction this past Friday.

It brought $400 and I wonder if the buyer noticed the extractor.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/703412896

Thanks Sevens, I was looking at this gb ad

My PRE 39 has the long extractor of course.
It has been fired quite a number of times through the roughly 60 years I have it.
Spare extractor still in the package.

Hello Bob, I have been waiting for you to chime in. And a darn beautiful 9mm it is.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

At least for the Model 39 long extractor I don't think it's a myth. I bought one new in 1966 (foolishly traded in a 2nd generation Colt SAA) and used and carried it (Lawrence shoulder holster) for about 10 years with no problems. It then sat almost unused for about 20 years when I put about 3000 rounds through it. The extractor broke while at the range around 2001. I sent it to S&W without calling them first and they sent it back saying they no longer had the parts to fix it. Certainly made me feel old to think a gun I bought new was now obsolescent. A local gunsmith was able find the part and install it, but I rarely use the gun now. It now qualifies as a Curio & Relic (don't know where that leaves me)! I'd estimate about 5000 rounds before the extractor broke. I've shot a lot of 9's and .45's over the years (Sig, S&W, HK, Colt) and have never had another broken extractor.

Hello Mr. Smith, did the extractor break during shooting factory ammo?
Loading from the mag not the breech? Where exactly did it break during firing? thanks

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

It has been a month since I posted the myth question. Im chalking this whole thing up as a myth.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I would like to know more info on a model 39 I own. Model 39 without the dash serial number 656** I am not sure how to tell the difference between a long extractor and short. I'm new to the forum and I'm here to gain some knowledge.

Just a heads up in case of any confusion the ISP Model 39 had a unique modified two piece long extractor (pictured above) so it is not broken,
While I have not broken a 39 or 52 long extractor I really dont shoot the early ones much having a few shooter grade Model 39-2's and not wanting to find out the hard way how difficult to find that old extractor is .

Mike , On a side note I broke the internal extractor claw on a Colt MK IV series 80 Combat Commander back in the late 1980's to early 90's.

Engine49guy is correct about the ISP 39s. They were modified with the 2 piece wide extractors because there were some long extractors breaking. When we went to different models or retired we could buy our duty gun so it's possible there are some ISP 39s with the unmodified long extractors but I haven't seen any of them.
This one is my issued 39 with the 2 piece wide extractor.

Attached Images

S&W 39 106403.JPG (49.3 KB, 38 views)

__________________
183rd FBINA

Mr. Brad, great to hear from you. I have gotten no report during
shooting. I dont give a rats behind on some cheap Colt you bought. WINK
Arent you on nursing duty with your new job. best and hope to see you at
222 this Sunday/ Mike

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member