Need help with Model 41 Extraction

[Krash51]

My 41 has of late become unreliable at 2 matches in a row. My major problem is taking a shot and no case is ejected. The empty case seems stuck in the chamber. The extractor will not pull it out and I have to drop the mag and lock the bolt open. Insert a wooden skewer in the muzzle to push the empty case out with much resistance. I have replaced the extractor, extractor spring and spring plunger with new parts including a Vorquartsen extractor. I clean after each range session with special attention to bronze brushing the chamber area. Help, Paul

[chief38]

Just for the hell of it and certainly before doing anything else to the pistol, I'd use a completely different lot of ammo of the same brand and configuration you always had success with. I know some M41's are very finicky as to what you feed them. My personal version runs 100% with CCI 40 grain Std. Vel. ammo however even CCI can have a lot that varies once in awhile. I had one brick of CCI (at the height of the ammo crises) that contained more "duds" due to badly primed cases than all the CCI ammo I have ever shot!! Hey, it happens - worth a try.

I'd also check the Chamber, Extractor, Slide Face, etc for any peening, burrs, or anything out of the ordinary. Use a magnifoer and a bright light to inspect. I've seen a recoil spring change to a 1/2 pound lighter version work sometimes. Just make SURE you install the spring in the proper orientation IF you go with one of the Wolff after market springs with an opened coil on one side. The opened coil MUST face the rear of the pistol or it will jam the gun up in short order. If you do use one of these one side unfinished springs, mark it so you NEVER instal it the wrong way. NOTE: Factory springs have both sides finished. Wolff may have corrected this issue - I have not checked their new production.

It sounds like you have had this M41 for a while and so if it ran great for a long time, obviously something has suddenly changed. Do you know approximately how many rounds have been shot through the pistol? I'd also (just to be positive) install another Volquartsen Extractor. Maybe the one you did install is not to spec or has a slight malformation - leave nothing to chance. Once in a blue moon even the best manufacturers have a bad part. I have had bad parts some from top notch manufacturers - not very often but it has happened! For the inexpensive cost and 20 minute of your time it's worth a try.

[series guy]

I had the same issue with the same ammo, CCI SV. I started dumping around 300 rounds in a small plastic container. I then spray a little Ballistol on them and shake them around. No more issues. The little bit of lube the I get on my fingers loading the magazines gets wiped on the outside of the mags and makes them insert and drop free easier.

[Model52guy]

Chief38 covered it pretty well. I would pay particular attention to the bolt face recess for the shell. I use a sharp pointed pick to clean the corners of the recess, especially right behind the extractor If the shell head doesn’t go all the way into the recess the extractor won’t fully engage the shell.
George

[Kp321]

Brush the chamber well with a .24 cal brush. Some ammo causes a carbon ring to build up at the case mouth which hinders extraction. Might even take a soak with carb cleaner on a gun cleaning Q-Tip to soften it before brushing.

[gmborkovic]

Asking, is the tightness upon firing due to the brass expanding?
Or the fouling? Or the brass is being sized upon entry into the chamber?
I dont know!

[AveragEd]

I have a new Model 41 that is back at the factory right now for a problem of not ejecting extracted cases - they hang up across the shell being loaded from the magazine. I called a few weeks before returning it and it was suggested that the recoil spring be replaced with a 7# one - Wolff was recommended. I bought the spring kit but thought it best for the manufacturer to diagnose the condition first.

Ed