S&W 945 Fail to Extract

The standard recoil spring for the 645/4506/745 (I don't have the 945 listed), when standard ball loads are being used, is S&W part#20161.

However, the 645/4506 & 745 also have a wadcutter (target) load light recoil spring, part#20071.

If you're using 230gr standard ball powered loads, you can get feeding and extraction problems if the recoil spring is too light.

S&W used to publish a handy reference for both .45 recoil springs (for their 5" guns).


If the use of a standard factory recoil spring doesn't resolve your issues (meaning one that never measures less than 7" free length, out of the gun), then I'd look at the extractor spring. A light powered/weakened extractor spring can cause some headaches when you're running full power (standard) loads in the big S&W .45's.

Just a thought.
 
Thanks for knocking some sense back into me. Sometime I can’t see the trees because of the forest. I will focus on the springs, springs, springs, and leave the felt buffs in their box.

It’s funny I just received some cleaning stuff for a new rifle I have. In the box I received I purchased some jb bore bright bore finishing compound. On the jb package The last sentence under the package instructions applies to the advise you all have just given, it reads;

You can use jb bore bright to polish chamber THROATS. Do not polish chamber WALLS, a too slick chamber will increase case thrust against the bolt and can damage the gun.

Thanks for the help so far. Like he said on the way down, so far so good.
 
Finally made it to the range today 11-1-20 with the s&w945. Had a variety of new recoil springs from the wolf tuning kit with springs from #15 thru #20 and the midway 8” heavy duty. The midway heavy duty and the wolf #18 had the least amount of fte but were far from good, with about 1 fte per mag. This was with federal 230gr fmj. Tried some freedom munitions 230gr fmj and it was worse. Tried some freedom munitions 200gr hollow point and instead of fte I was getting stove piping?

Next up will try the extractor spring. Maybe it makes sense, fte change the extractor spring.

Here is the info on the springs in case anyone needs it.
Gun came with a wad cutter spring it has .0441 wire, it is 6” long overall with a count of 4 spring coils=7/8” measure in length.
#15 wolf, .0431 wire, 6-7/8”, 4coil=13/16”
#16 wolf,.0431 wire, 7-1/4”, 4coil=7/8”
#17 wolf, .0448 wire, 7”, 4coil=27/32”
#18wolf, .046wire, 6-3/4”, 4coil=13/16”
#20 wolf, .046wire, 7-5/8”, 4 coil=29/32”
Midway #227209, .0437 wire, 8”, 4 coil=29/32
Numrich #339610, .0440 wire, 8-1/8”, 4 coil=7/8”

When I get the story on the extractor spring I will post the results. Unless someone has a different idea?

On a side note, one of the other new pistols I shot today was a cz p-01 9mm. No issues with it. I think it is my new favorite. It just runs and runs, maybe a cajun spring job for it.
 
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