Extraction problem with Ruger Mk. II

Smaug said:

My old Ruger Mk. II Target model is starting to act up on me now, after many years and many thousands of rounds.

First, the pin that went through the receiver and frame broke. I ordered a new one and put it in.

Now, it's not extracting reliably, causing a double feed and ruining the second bullet.

What's likely the problem; extractor claw? I looked at it and it appears to be sharp and it is swiveling as it's supposed to. I'll take it apart and post some pix soon, but in the meantime, I'm wondering if anyone here has had that problem and what the solution was?

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You have of course cleaned it, as in completed disassembly?

If it has never been replaced, yes the extractor would be a good place to start,
I also recommend getting new magazine springs, then maybe a recoil spring(maybe)

Is it leaving the empty case in the chamber and trying to push a new round in behind it?
Or are 2 rounds popping out of the mag at the same time?
Trying to understand a double feed in this context.

All I can add is---make sure the cut in the barrel, where the extractor fits when the bolt is closed, is clean.

A nice sharp new VQ extractor may help.

Do call and see if Ruger will work on it. I understand from Clark Guns, Ruger has discontinued MKII parts. So incidentally has Volquartsen. If Ruger won't work on it, send it to Clark Custom Guns and the experts there should be able to get it running again. The Gunsmith who did a trigger job on two of my Mk2's, and got my MK1 running again has seen lots and lots of Rugers.

Not all malfunctions are as easy as an extractor change or recoil spring. But those would be the first two things I would try. The extractor really does not extract the case, this is a blow back action and the case is popped out of the chamber by residual breech pressure. The function of the extractor is more or less to hold the case against the bolt face. If the extractor is worn, the hook worn, rims may not stay in place and will fall off or pop forward when the ejector hits. I also understand breech face perpendicularity will do funny things. The extractor spring may be weak, and it is always worth while to change the recoil spring.

it should pull the case out of the chamber. clean up the extractor and spring, make sure it is not gunked up and binding. odd that the issue started right after the othere pin/part was replaced. it seems not related, but seems like too much of a coincidence. can you cycle rounds manually? as a function check?

I'd try loading one round in the mag and chambering it...then manually operate bolt and see if loaded round comes out. Then do that again, but shoot it without having another round coming behind it. See if it extracts then or not.

Slamfire said:

the extractor is worn, the hook worn, rims may not stay in place and will fall off or pop forward when the ejector hits.

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Which could possibly be determined by removing the upper and sliding a loaded round against the bolt face under the extractor. It shouldn't fall right out.

Try cleaning the carbon ring where the mouth of the .22 case ends. It is NOT easy to remove and is common on rimfire firearms that have a high round count, this frequently causes poor or slow extraction. A solvent soaked patch kept in the chamber for many hours, much brushing, and / or special carbon removing solvents can help

before sending it off i would order a new extractor and the extractor spring and clean that area after old parts are out and then once clean install new parts and see what happens!

Smaug said:

Yeah, but I'll take another look. The ammo I was shooting was Armscor and I was tempted to blame the ammo, but it seems to be better quality than the garbage Thunderbolt, etc. It's not bulk ammo.

The magazine springs are feeding just fine, I don't think that would affect extraction. (I have two old ones and one newer one) The recoil spring is a good idea. Maybe if that was worn out, it would let the bolt slam the receiver pin that caused it to break...

Midway has extractors for $9.50; that's probably worth a try, but I need a closer look at the Ruger one first. Maybe the little spring in the extractor mechanism is the culprit...

If all else fails, I could just send it to Ruger; I'm sure they'd make it right; it's just the shipping cost/hassle that I don't like.

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Magazine springs absolutely can mess with extraction. If they are no strong enough the whole feeding recoil cycle is messed up. I doubt this is your problem, but cheap insurance if you are paying to get a little extractor shipped.

https://www.tandemkross.com/eagles_talon_extractor-ruger-mark-pistols

Here is a picture of the worn extractor from my Buckmark alongside the new one.

Cheap ones or stamped steel, better ones are machined.

1KPerDay said:

A nice sharp new VQ extractor may help.

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This and make sure the chamber is squeaky clean, I use a .25 cal brush.

A toothpick or dental pick cleans the crud from extractor cut. My Mk II had a clogged cut that wouldn’t let the extractor close on the rim.

IMHO, the Volquartsen extractor is a good one. I have them on my three Ruger pistols and two 10/22’s. Might as well replace all the springs while you have it apart.

The chamber cleaning suggestion is another very good one. We shooters often have a habit of not cleaning.22’s much, even though the rounds are often dirtier than centerfires and guns are blowback operated. A good chamber scrubbing often solves funky feeding and sticky extraction issues.

Let us know what works for you when you get a chance.

Stay safe.

I have heard tales of .22 Ruger Mark pistols firing and ejecting just fine without an extractor.
(To eject an unfired cartridge from the firing chamber, the Ruger bolt must have an extractor.)
In other designs, the extractor and ejector work together to insure positive ejection.

I had a Ruger-like AMT magazine that was an occasional problem in my Mark II. I took it and a Ruger magazine apart. The Ruger magazine spring and plunger were the only difference. The AMT magazine spring was weak. When I ordered a recoil spring for my Mark II from Ruger parts, I ordered a magazine spring and plunger. Now the AMT magazine runs fine.

The extractor claw on my Mark II has been broken for years.
The gun still works fine.

I am very anal about keeping the gun spotlessly clean.

I keep a handful of spent Stinger cases in with the cleaning stuff. When I clean my .22s after shooting .22lr, I push a spent Stinger case in the chamber a few times & scrape out the crud ring - - just like I do with a .357 mag case in a .38spl.

I should probably send my Mark II to Ruger and have it fixed before all the parts are gone.

I had extraction problems with my MKII. Aquilla no Bueno. Purchased CCI std. vel. and it shoots fine if I clean it regularly. MKII can be very particular about ammo.

New extractor,clean cut where the extractor fits and clean chamber with J B Bore Paste then Hoppe's and bore brush. Flitz metal polish may help clean chamber as well.

That is a nice-looking piece! I hope it's 100% now.

Gun is blow back. Don't need an extractor on firing. It's to extract unfired rounds.

Some 22 short ISU rapid fire pistols did not have an extractor.

A good cleaning will work & hose it down with WD-40. Let excess drain off on to paper towel. Then wipe dry.

Please, NO debate on WD-40 Thank you.