New extractor star

[BC38]

I have an old M&P 38 special that is missing the extractor star. It has the "barrel-shaped" ejector rod end (LERK?). NOT the mushroom-head extractor rod knob.

The extractor star has only 1 locating pin, and it has right-hand threads. I've checked Numrich and eBay for a replacement, but the only ones I'm finding are all NOS.

From what I've read on the site here, this was a hand-fitted part. So, I'm thinking that I'd most likely be better off with a used one, rather than an NOS.

My understanding/thinking on this is that a brand new un-fitted part is almost 100% certain to need some work on the ratchet teeth in order for the cylinder to time correctly.

On the other hand, with a used part there is a much better chance that the original hand-fitting work will make it a drop-in part that works, as-is.

Basically the impression I have is that the factory NOS parts were manufactured to rough dimensions that were intentionally slightly oversized. That made them "close enough" for a skilled craftsman to do the final fitting. However, that also meant that the over-sized NOS parts absolutely required hand-fitting in order for the cylinder to time correctly.

So, my question for the forum experts is this; am I better off buying a used, fitted part - or a NOS un-fitted part to repair this old revolver?

 

[310Pilot]

A used part will have been fit to a cylinder and hand that you don't have, with wear from use after fitting. It is highly improbable that it will be a "drop-in" fit, and it may be impossible to fit it to your gun. Better to start with a new part and fit it properly.

 

[BC38]

A used part will have been fit to a cylinder and hand that you don't have, with wear from use after fitting. It is highly improbable that it will be a "drop-in" fit, and it may be impossible to fit it to your gun. Better to start with a new part and fit it properly.

I understand what you're saying, and realize that finding a "drop-in" would be pretty long odds - BUT it isn't unheard of either.

On the other hand, with an unfitted NOS part the chances of it being a drop in are even lower - basically zero - right?

It is really easy to say "start with a new part and fit it properly" but actually DOING that fitting is another matter. I don't know how to do that - do you?

Is there an instructional video on MidWay USA or somewhere else that you are aware of that you can recommend as being a good "how-to" guide for those of us who don't already know how to do it?

I'm wide open to all suggestions...

 

[robertrwalsh]

If the money isn't that important to you you could always just get one of each. They are not THAT expensive. (I got a used one for a .38 special Victory some years ago and with some cleaning and lubrication it dropped right in and worked. I was surprised.) In my experience the Jerry Kuhnhausen manuals are excellent.

 

[Rpg]

It is really easy to say "start with a new part and fit it properly" but actually DOING that fitting is another matter. I don't know how to do that - do you? ..

I sure don’t know how to do that!

Seems like you could drop a fair amount of money on used extractor stars hoping to find one that’s a drop in for your gun and be no better off than you are now.

I’ll bet you could take a NOS star to a gunsmith to have it fitted for less money than you’d waste buying used ones that won’t work.

I’m very big on letting people with the required expertise do the work.

 

[DWalt]

Perhaps the main problem is alignment of the hole in the star with the pin in the cylinder. Some years ago, I fitted a used star to the cylinder, I had to cut off the old pin and drill a new hole in the star and cylinder then insert a new pin. Some stars have two pins. Maybe I was just lucky. It might be better to replace the existing cylinder with another cylinder-star assembly. I have done that several times without problems.

 

[ken158]

Fitting a new extractor to a hand is tedious work. You need to understand which tooth to fit for each chamber and use a Barrett file at the proper angle. If you mess that up then you replace the hand with a wider one and start over. For correct and even carry up, the fitting must be exact. The extractor rod will dig a hole in your holding hand so you will need a glove to keep it depressed while filing. No doubt there are ways and ideas from others to get the job done but my armorer school training was in the early 80’s when revolvers were still very much in use. As far as using a used cylinder, extractor and hand - it is possible but highly unlikely you would get a perfect fit without some fitting.