[phil dirt]

I recently bought an FM 90 Hi-power and at first had feed and extraction problems with it. After it turned into a machine gun I replaced the sear, the recoil spring, the extractor and extractor spring, and got a couple of Mec-Gar mags for it. I've since put 800 rounds of American Eagle, Mag Tech, Winchester and PMC FMJ through it. I fitted the extractor to get a little more bite on the case rim. It hand cycles without a problem, but I'm still getting an occasional malfunction. I've had one failure of the slide to return to battery, and three failures to extract/eject out of 800 rounds. I'm thinking of polishing the feed ramp, although it looks fine. I've also considered an 18.5 pd. recoil spring, although it has a new 17 pd. spring. What do you think?

[Dr.Rob]

Clean under the extractor more often. It doesn't take much grit to alter the amount of 'bite' it gets. Usually a toothpick is enough but you might run a dental tool down the channel to be sure you don't have some kind of gunk built up there.

[mgmorden]

Clean under the extractor more often. It doesn't take much grit to alter the amount of 'bite' it gets. Usually a toothpick is enough but you might run a dental tool down the channel to be sure you don't have some kind of gunk built up there.

I'll second this - for just about any auto-loader. Typically if I shoot more than 600-800 rounds without taking a metal pick to the extractor and plucking out the crud I'll get an occasional failure-to-extract. I only clean every few range trips, but I work that into the cleaning regimen and all stays fine.

[MrDig]

Is this specific to the FM or any Hi-Power?

[mgmorden]

Is this specific to the FM or any Hi-Power?

Cleaning under the extract is pretty much common with any autoloader. I own a dozen or so different types and all of them that I've managed to shoot that much have all built up a bit of gunk under the extractor over time. I'm sure it may vary though depending on the powder used in your ammo. I shoot a lot of Unique and Bullseye, neither of which are known to be particularly clean powders.

[bdb benzino]

My FM90 will not run with the plus powered 18.5lb recoil spring installed, but it runs perfect with the standard 17lb spring. I don't know why but thought I should mention it because you said you changed yours also!

[Dr.Rob]

It's standard for any HP with an external extractor. The spring is pretty small and has very little wiggle room, so any amount of build up from primer or powder residue over time can affect the function. I check the exctrator channel every 2-3 cleanings.

[phil dirt]

"My FM90 will not run with the plus powered 18.5lb recoil spring installed, but it runs perfect with the standard 17lb spring. I don't know why but thought I should mention it because you said you changed yours also!"

Yes, I bought a new 17 pd. spring from Browning. I think you are right about that 18.5 pd. spring. Thanks.

[bdb benzino]

Yes, I bought a new 17 pd. spring from Browning. I think you are right about that 18.5 pd. spring. Thanks.

The odd thing is that my Browning runs awesome with the 18.5lb spring installed. Every pistol is different I guess.