New owner with a problem

[Christoff]

I was thinking about it when I was going to sleep. I had wondered if the extractor wasn't going over the rim of the case head. That would make the slide look like the picture you showed, where the barrel was showing the amount that it was. Would be worthwhile to see about getting the extractor out and smoothing it up a bit. Also try changing the recoil spring like you're saying if it happens to be real weak and isn't getting the extractor to slip over the cartridge rim. I think you may be getting somewhere.

I'll see about getting the extractor out of mine and take a couple pictures so you can see what mine looks like.

That's exactly what is happening, the extractor is not going over the rim. The extractor seems to move freely by hand and doesn't seem too stiff. I'm looking forward to seeing your pics for comparison. I am new to this pistol so the help if much appreciated.

[fully machined]

This could be another illusion in the photo, but your extractor looks like it is nose diving in the front and sticking up in the back next to the plunger. The gap between the plunger end and extractor seems excessive. Is there buring at the top of the extractor? All mine are parallel with the slide. This condition could decrease the gap on the inside where the extractor lock into a round. There should be a considerable gap between the extractor lip and the cartridge base. Also look at where your slide stop contacts the slide. Holding the slide upside down this will be at three oclock. There have been reports of the stop forming a lip into the cartridge seating area and causing the problem you are describing.

Another illusion: I do not see a 45 degree back cut on you extractor. This angle cut/ grind is similar to the one on the loaded chamber indicator.

[juniustaylor]

I never realized how rough my extractor is. Looks all corroded. Anyway, here are some pics.









Sorry for a million pictures. Biggest thing I can see different is that mine has a slight U-shape worn into the edge of the extractor just from lots of use. You could probably use a Dremel and polish to smooth up the sloped portion and possibly add a bit of a U-shape.

[fully machined]

Great pics of your extractor, Junius. I like the way the pics show the half circle cut out behind the lip so the extractor scan go down, then up and lock. I guess those tits on either side are to hold center without binding and/or casting lugs?

[juniustaylor]

Yeah, the ear on each side of the extractor cause it to pivot in the channel cut-out in the slide.

[Christoff]

There is a 45 degree cut on the extractor and maybe the extractor is nose diving some but it looks the same as yours, I don't know the proper amount. I put in the new Wolff Spring 22# (I got the recoil pack) and the slide went on easily without filing the ends. Will see if that makes any difference. I am still waiting for the new ammo.
Sorry for the absence on here, my wife went to the beach and I had the baby for 4 days, needless to say, he kept me busy. I am adding some new pics for review. my pics are taken with my camera phone so the lighting isn't always ideal. Just wanted to let you guys know I am loving this forum seems like a great bunch of folks on here.

[juniustaylor]

Your slide does have some wear on the metal that surrounds the bolt face where the slide stop would engage. However, it doesn't look severe enough to cause any sort of battery issue. I also don't think the extractor looks bad. Hopefully the spring will fix the issue.

[fully machined]

Dern good pics with a camera phone. How about a couple of the feed ramp and barrel/frame end--chamber area. There is a cut out here for the extactor.

[juniustaylor]

I agree. Those are some real good pictures with a camera phone. I have to work hard with my junky Olympus on macro mode just to get half-way decent pictures. Sheesh!

[heavyduty77]

Christoff... welcome!

There is a gap maybe a few millmeters and the trigger does reset. pulling the trigger results in no strike to the primer. I manually worked the extractor and it doesn't seem to stiff, I oiled and cleaned the area and spring for the extractor. However, the only marks on the casing are two distinct marks where the extractor rides over the lip of the case. Any ideas?

After reading over all your comments and reviewing your extractor pictures it appears that your extractor is not returning to its normal resting position (looks like it is not completely parallel to the slide). Also, since you are able to pull the trigger normally but aren't getting a firing pin "strike" on the primer I would suggest the following check / test:

Remove the extractor assembly and manually load and fire one cartridge at a time. If the pistol goes fully into battery and fires every time, the problem is with the extractor not fully seating / returning to its at rest position. This would indicate that the extractor is hitting the rim of the cartridge and not snapping over it as it should and preventing the slide from going into battery. It would also explain why the firing pin is not able to hit the primer (can't bridge the gap between the breech face and the primer caused by the out of battery condition).

Why not?

To ascertain the cause, put the extractor back into the slide without the pin & spring to see if it will lay parallel in the slide. If it does, the spring and /or the pin is too long or the hole in the slide for the pin & spring may be drilled too short (or restricted by dirt, machining chips, etc.) thus preventing the extractor from properly seating.

Good luck
HD77

[Christoff]

Just a Droid X few years old and just 3 weeks got dropped in a fish tank. Hell of a tough phone.

To all: I took the gun to the range today after lightly polishing the feed ramp and replacing the stock recoil spring with a 22lb Wolff spring. The gun ran flawlessly. Walked out with a big smile on my face. Thank you to everyone for your advice and expertise, but it looks like it was a simple fix, and maybe that stock spring had just weakened over the years.

[Curly1]

Good news, don't you luv it when a plan comes together.