I have a 645 that has intermittent FTF and FTE issues. Using Winchester white box ammo. Magazines are all S&W - not aftermarket. Problem occurs regardless of magazine. Problem occurs whether 5, 6, 7 or 8 rounds loaded. At some point in the string, a fired round will fail to extract leaving the case in the chamber and a new round trying to feed into the chamber. I've replaced the recoil spring with a Wolff spring rated for the true recoil weight and not a reduced power spring. I've also heavily sprayed w solvent from both exterior and interior (without removal of) the area where extractor spring sits. It seems to have sufficient response and the extractor appears undamaged. I don't think I am limp wristing the gun when shooting. I do have some other ammo brand but haven't tried to switch yet. Any thoughts welcome. If there is a video out there on removal/replacement of extractor and extractor spring on a 2nd gen? I'd appreciate the link if you know. Thanks in advance for responses.

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Keith Davis
SWCA 3049

I would guess the pecking order in diagnosis would be :
1. ammo
2. mags
3. springs
4 . intense cleaning
5. extractor

This may help, pretty much basic disassembly (2nd gen vs 3rd gen close in design ) for a thorough cleaning and inspection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ture=emb_title

Once you've tried to replace a worn out recoil spring ...

Is the extractor hook in good condition? Not broken off? No chips?

Is the ejector tip broken? The old style (original) ejector had a short tip, with a sharp cornered angle cut on the bottom of the tip, where it protruded forward from the body. After enough wear & tear that sharp corner might develop a stress riser and the tip might snap off. (Later ejectors had a curved angle to help prevent stress risers at that point, like the one in the top of the pic.)

The old style ejector is the one on the bottom in this pic.


If you can find a local gunsmith who has a Wagner Force Dial that reads low poundage tension, he could check the extractor spring tension, which ought to be 5 - 6 1/2 lbs. A weakened spring could allow the hook to bounce out and away from the case rim under recoil, leaving the case in the chamber.


The ejector is a drop-in part (if you know how to disassemble the frame to drop it in), but the extractor is a fitted (filed) part, and the extractors have been revised a bit over time.

You might also try to reach another member here who is a smith back in that part of the country. BMCM.

Just some thoughts.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I had 645 with extraction issues. The extractor looked fine. Changed the extractor spring. The issue continued.
Sent the gun to S&W. They replaced the extractor and test fired it. Cost about $100 as I recall. Maybe a bit less. It runs like a top now.
I suspect a previous owner loved to slam the slide with a round in the chamber.

I once had a transitional model, one of the pilot 4506's marked as a 645 and it would fail to extract. I blasted the extractor and extractor slot with solvent and what came out looked like crude oil. A good cleaning solved that particular pistol's problem. So, first thing to do is a good cleaning and inspect the extractor hook and ejector for damage and put in a stock weight (14 pounds) recoil spring.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Just for fun replace the extractor spring. Solved the same problem I had with my 1006.

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213th FBINA

My 645 when first bought and shot had that problem but cured when I gave it a really good cleaning. My used 4506 also did this and it was a chipped extractor, took a trip to factory and came back good as new. Jim.