WWYD- Broken extractor rods

[Lou_the_welder]

Hello all,
I'm developing a problem with my 8 shot 357s. I'm starting to break extractor rods. I've broken two of them. On two different 8 shot guns.

Is this such a rare occurrence that I should just proceed with new extractor rods?? And move on??

Is the added weight ( resistance)of 8 long magnum shells contributing to the problem?? The length of extraction as opposed to using special cases for example???

Should I be looking for pre- mim extractor rods? Maybe the older ones pre-mim are harder?? Will last longer??

I've given alot of thought on this and would like my revos to not break down as much.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[firebreather]

Is this a "L" or "N" frame revolver? In all my years shooting S&W's I've never seen a broken extractor/ejector rod, several bent ones for sure, but never broken. If the length and threads are the same I think I'd try an older one.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Is this a "L" or "N" frame revolver? In all my years shooting S&W's I've never seen a broken extractor/ejector rod, several bent ones for sure, but never broken. If the length and threads are the same I think I'd try an older one.

N frame. 327 and pictured above , the 627.
I've had bent ones before. But never two broken ones.
I definitely want to try an older one if this problem persists. But for now, I installed the one smith and wesson sent me.

Also, before anyone asks, I use my fingers to extract .

 

[Vtgw938]

Don't know if it would cause your problem but I'd go more than finger tight.

 

[DWalt]

I have never seen that happen before. Only extractor rods that unscrew. And a tiny dab of clear nail polish cures that.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I just wanted to say, thank you to all who responded. Almost 1k views in my thread in the Revolvers 80s and up forum, and 200 views here at this time here. Leads me to believe, this isn't a very common problem.
No one has broken them. So, I don't know.
I'll leave that revolver be for now and hope that this time , it will not snap off. ( I tightened this one myself) after receiving a new one from the factory.

Fingers crossed! Thanks again!!

Lou

 

[steelslaver]

I think it is probably a result of you interpretation of "hand tight" being different that most peoples

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Been carrying Smiths for over fifty years and a academy instructor/department armourer for 18. I've seen slightly bent and loose rods but never broken.

In your photo the broken one looks like there may be some very slight damage to the knurling on the rod. Has a pair of pliers every been used to tighten the rod?

 

[chief38]

I enlarged your photo and it seems that the treads might have been cut a bit deeper than normal, weakening them a bit. I wonder if the extractor rods you have are cast and not forged. I am not privy to how they are making them these days, but they could have also been manufactured out of a more brittle metal and make them more susceptible to sheering.

I have been shooting S&W revolvers for 50 years and own enough to know the extractor rods normally last the life of the revolver (including Magnums), at least the vintage ones do. I have even straightened a few bent ones out over the years and they are still in one piece, never broke from the straightening process.

If it were my gun I'd try and find out if the spec's and or manufacturing process has changed and if a vintage part will fit the 8 shot revolvers. Since I have never owned an 8 shot, I have no idea if they are interchangeable.

I have also never used Locktite on an ejector rod and personally would not do so because if they are properly tightened, they never come lose by themselves in my experience. Yes, I have had a few come lose (from the factory) but once I properly tightened them, they stay put until I want them apart.

The fact that you have had several ER's break from 8 shot revolvers tells me it might not be (probably not) a coincidence. Again, don't know what he new ones are made from, how they are made and how they cut the threads, but I do suspect there is a real difference from your report. Hope you get to the bottom of this and solve the issue.

 

[stang1911]

Just thinking maybe try a blued carbon steel rod.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I think it is probably a result of you interpretation of "hand tight" being different that most peoples

I did tighten this one , using just the tips of my fingers. So, well see if this one, that I tightened will last.

Been carrying Smiths for over fifty years and a academy instructor/department armourer for 18. I've seen slightly bent and loose rods but never broken.

In your photo the broken one looks like there may be some very slight damage to the knurling on the rod. Has a pair of pliers every been used to tighten the rod?

The tip of the rod hasn't been put on a vise or anything. I use a brownells Vise- smith(?). It tightens the rods by clamping down the rod towards the base of the cylinder. It could be dirt in the picture?

I enlarged your photo and it seems that the treads might have been cut a bit deeper than normal, weakening them a bit. I wonder if the extractor rods you have are cast and not forged. I am not privy to how they are making them these days, but they could have also been manufactured out of a more brittle metal and make them more susceptible to sheering.

I have been shooting S&W revolvers for 50 years and own enough to know the extractor rods normally last the life of the revolver (including Magnums), at least the vintage ones do. I have even straightened a few bent ones out over the years and they are still in one piece, never broke from the straightening process.

If it were my gun I'd try and find out if the spec's and or manufacturing process has changed and if a vintage part will fit the 8 shot revolvers. Since I have never owned an 8 shot, I have no idea if they are interchangeable.

I have also never used Locktite on an ejector rod and personally would not do so because if they are properly tightened, they never come lose by themselves in my experience. Yes, I have had a few come lose (from the factory) but once I properly tightened them, they stay put until I want them apart.

The fact that you have had several ER's break from 8 shot revolvers tells me it might not be (probably not) a coincidence. Again, don't know what he new ones are made from, how they are made and how they cut the threads, but I do suspect there is a real difference from your report. Hope you get to the bottom of this and solve the issue.

No, I would never put anything on the threads. But your thinking is where mine is at the moment. Could these rods be machined too much and leave too little material on the rods themselves? Should I be looking for Maybe older steel parts, if I manage to break another?? And do they fit also?

Just thinking maybe try a blued carbon steel rod.

The ejector rod on my R8 was carbon steel. It snapped off at the base of the ejector star, soo deep I couldn't unscrew it out. That one had to go back to the factory. At least they fixed it and put it back together.

 

[MygunisaS&Wrevolver]

The only broken extractor rods I have seen is a result of me using the wrong bushing in my Power Custom extractor rod straightening fixture. I had several break at exactly the same spot as pictured. I called Power Custom and they immediately sent me out another bushing and I havent had any break since and thats been years ago.