Mdl 52-2 extractor problem

[Gimble88]

My 52-2 won't extract the case from the chamber when cycling after firing but never fails to extract and eject if hand cycled.

I know the case isn't getting out of the chamber because the slide strips another round out of the magazine and tries to load it in the still full chamber. If it were a case of extracting and not ejecting, I believe the slide wouldn't be able to pick up a new round from the magazine.

The recoil spring is correct for the load and new. Before this started to happen the gun cycled flawlessly. Now it never extracts.

The extractor appears undamaged and not too worn. With the slide off the frame the extractor will hold a cartridge just fine.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Spence

 

[smithfan4152]

extractor

What type of ammo are you shooting, Factory, or your own Reloads?

 

[Gimble88]

Both factory Remington and reloads. Both cycled fine until this started.

Spence

 

[GBertolet]

Without examining the 52-2 I can only offer two possible causes. First, the hook on the extractor has become worn, just enough, causing the hook to slip off the case rim. Secondly, and I believe most likely, is there is dirt behind the extractor in the frame. This prevents the extractor from coming in far enough, restricting tension on the case rim, allowing the extractor to slip off. I hope this helps.

 

[Gimble88]

Thanks for all the great information. I've been using 2.8 Bullseye in the reloads. Gun is clean in the chamber and under the extractor. Happens with all 8 magazines that I have.

As I said in the first post, what is weird to me (maybe not to others) is that I can still hand cycle and get perfect function it's only when firing that it has issues. I did some more firing tests today and I going to look into a weaker recoil spring. I have a set of various weights to try. The thing that makes me wonder about that is that if I really concentrate on a very, very stiff wrist I *think* I get a little better function. It would make sense that if it short cycled it wouldn't eject and the case could end up back in the chamber. What I don't see is how that could happen AND the slide could strip a round and try to put it in the chamber in the same cycle. By the way, no stove pipes. Just doesn't extract.

Tomorrow I try the weaker recoil spring and report.

Spence

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

What happens on last round? Shoot several rounds with one in mag and drop slide to load.

 

[Gimble88]

Tom,

I changed the recoil spring and then I shot some rounds with only one round in the magazine with the following results:

1) Case ejected normally. Slide locked open.
2) Case failed to eject but the rim remained under the extractor. This looks like a short cycle.
3) Case failed to eject, slide locked open, fired case still in the chamber.

If I loaded one round in the magazine and then removed the magazine as far as I could and still engage the magazine safety, most of the time the case would eject normally. But not always.

With the lower power recoil spring, I could get two and sometimes three shots in a row with normal extraction and ejection.

This was all with reloads. I'll try again tomorrow with factory ammo.

Gun still cycles flawlessly by hand. Could be a combination of slightly week reloads and some extractor issues.

I realize this is a pretty goofy set of symptoms. It may be time for it to go to a gunsmith.

Thanks for your patience.

Spence

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Third case is a real puzzle - locked slide and case still in the chamber????????? Factory rounds sounds like good approach - same trial. Try several mags also? Might take it down and look for signs of some odd wear. Assume smooth with no catches when hand cycling. Keep us posted??????? Good luck!

 

[boatbum101]

If you can't find a 52-2 extractor , one from a 39-2 can be made to fit . Use your old one for a pattern , you'll see where you've got to file . I'd also change the extractor spring . Have you tried a little hotter load , I wouldn't use more than 3.0gr Bullseye with a 148 HBWC . Mine groups better with 3.2 W231 .

 

[310Pilot]

I suggest replacing the extractor spring with an "extra power" extractor spring from Wolff. They sell it in a kit, if not individually. I'll bet it cures your problem. Probably a good idea to change to a new ejector spring while you have it apart, too.

 

[Gimble88]

A new day at the range.

Five shots Remington factory ammo:
On the third shot, the case didn't extract and the slide stripped a new round on top of it. Rest of the magazine was fine.

New reloads. Fifty rounds. I went up to 3.0 BE and a lighter crimp. I had had a few 5 shot strings with no issues. But often I had the usual no extract-jam on a stripped round event. Rest of magazine would be ok.

I had one regular old stovepipe. It was so normal I almost cried.

Once, on the last round in the magazine with the slide locked back, the case came a little over half way out of the chamber and got bound between the inside of the chamber the top of the mag follower. This can only happen when, as the slide lock comes up into the notch on the slide, it allows the follower to rise up enough to pinch the case that is halfway out of the chamber. Otherwise, the follower is nowhere near the case as it's being extracted. Only happened once in 55 rounds.

Slide always locked back on the last round.

Occasionally even with the 7lb spring and 3.0 BE load I would get the event where the empty was still in the chamber but the extractor still had a hold of it.

4 weeks ago this gun would go hundreds of rounds with no failures.

I agree about the extractor spring. I got one from Wolf last week. However, someone has preceded me to the extractor pin and it's all peened against the sides of the hole on both sides. No amount of *reasonable* force would budge it. The extractor moves easily, though. I'm thinking the pin will have to be drilled out. I hope it's not too hard. I do machine work for a living but have absolutely no training in fixing guns. I won't do that drilling operation myself.

Again through all this it hand cycles perfectly every time. Obviously, hand cycling insures that the slide goes all the way back and it might not be doing that on every fired round. Action is smooth and lubed.

Brass is landing 4 to 6 feet away with 3.0 BE 7 lb spring.

I' definitely using different magazines and can't say any of them are noticeably better or worse. I have seven.

New extractor and new ejector spring also sound like good ideas.

Thanks again for all the help.

spence

 

[Gimble88]

Well now....
I compared the ejector arm in my 52 with the one on my 539 (closest I have to the 52) and find the one in the 52 is about .065 shorter than the one in the 539. Under the microscope it definitely looks broken. If I hadn't looked at the one in the 539, I wouldn't have noticed the break.

So at least some of the bad behavior can be explained.

A new ejector arm and some springs and I may be back in bidness.

Thanks again,

Spence