[gryphon]

I was looking through my Tapco catalogue the other day and ran across these items. They have them for the 7.62 Nato and 7.62x39 rounds. My question is, how often have any of you had problems that would warrant such a device and is there some other way of removing the spent casing?

The item is relatively inexpensive, but is it somthing that you would really need?

[Redlg155]

Owned a few but never had to use them. I would think it would be a pretty rare occurance in a semi auto weapon. Shell casings just don't normally seperate into two peices.

I could understand this happening in a full auto machine gun combined with a rough chamber and out of spec ammo. In that case a stuck shell remover makes a great field expedient method of clearing things up.

Worth the cost?..if you ever have a failure, yes. Chances of having one? Pretty slim.


Good Shooting
RED

[griz]

Never owned one or needed one. The one case seperation I experienced, a 22 hornet, was handled by a 6mm bore brush. Like Red Leg, I believe they might be useful for rough chambers.

[Dave R]

I have also heard that a bore brush can remove some/most case separations. In which case, the need for the broken shell extractor is reduced.

If you're shooting Wolf ammo through an AK, forget it. You'll never need it.

I suspect that, if you shoot brass reloaded too many times, the risk increases.

[hps1]

Separated cases are not a common occurance. Most of the time they are a result of improper reloading practices (working the case more than necessary by using small base dies when not needed or reloading cases too many times). Before the case is in danger of separating, you should be able to detect a groove on the inside of the case with a bent paper clip. The groove will be at the web of the case and can even be visible on outside of the case as a bright ring just forward of the head of the case. Any cases which have this groove or bright ring should be discarded.

Usually, the front portion is not too hard to remove and a bronze chamber brush will extract it easily. If not, the extractor becomes necessary. I have carried one in my shooting kit since 1983 and happily have never used it :).

Regards,
hps

[gryphon]

Thanks all for the info. Since my AK and my FAL are not full auto, and I do not reload, I think that my chances of this happening are pretty slim.

[HankL]

They are small and inexpensive. Put them in your range bag and you will become a hero some day. Of course if you follow my way of thinking your range bag will end up being a 3/4 ton truck. :uhoh:

[jar]

I had to use one once. I found a great old Winchester '94 made about 1906. At some time during it's life a 30-30 casing split right on the sholder and the neck and part of the sholder were in there for good. I got the rifle cheap because no one could get a cartridge in it or get the neck out.

A 30-30 broken case extractor worked, but even it didn't pull that sucker out using the rifles extractor. I had to chamber the BCS and then use a cleaning rod as a drop hammer and after about three tries, out came the exxtractor and neck of the cartridge.

I wouldn't suggest everyone running out and buying one, but when needed, they are great.

[curt]

I could have used one twice for my Mak90, took it to a gunsmith twice before i learned the trick with a bore brush. I now have one for my mak90, thereby ensuring that it will never be needed and one for each of my ARs. It can fit in the buttstock of an AR and could be a lifesave if bad things were happening.