CZ-75B Extraction Failure

[Bahadur]

My CZ-75B had been sitting in a safe, forgotten for 2 years. After "finding" it again, I took it out and shot it during two separate range sessions (after giving a relatively thorough cleaning and lubricating to field-stripped parts).

For ammo, I took along:

Federal 115 grain JHP Classic Hi-Shok (9BP)
Federal American Eagle 115 grain FMJ
Winchester 147 grain Totally Encapsulated FMJ

I brought along 4 15-round factory magazines and 1 10-round factory magazine. Two of the factory 15-rounders had been stored loaded with 14 rounds each for 2 years. The other three mags were stored empty.

While the pistol fired very accurately and "generally" reliably, it failed to extract 5 times out of some 150 rounds shot. The extraction problem occurred with those mags that were stored loaded and also with those mags that were stored empty (no problem with the 10-round mag however).

In all cases, the spent case came out of the chamber half way and was stuck there while the following catridge attempted to feed.

I am just stunned. I have been a big believer in the reliability of the CZ-75B, but my confidence has been shaken. What could be the problem? Could it be the extractor? The extractor spring? Weak magazine springs perhaps? Or simply a dirty extractor?

I did a search here and elsewhere and found that some budget Winchester ammo seemed to have some extraction related problems with the CZ-75, but I was not using such ammo.

I seek advice from the gun illuminati before I e-mail Mike at CZ-USA. Thankfully, I think the pistol is still under the five-year warranty... barely.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Generally speaking, magazines should have no role in the extraction part of the firing cycle.

Its probably a weak, dirty, or damaged extractor. (CZs are known for gunk in extractor cavities... You learn to clean that area regularly.)

The first and most likely solution is to remove and clean the extractor and extractor cavity in the slide.

This is easily done with a small punch. Take the slide off, drive the extractor pin DOWN, through the slide. Cover the extractor when you do this or else you might let the extractor spring come out and take off somewhere. Reverse the process to reinstall.

You'll probably find a lot of gunk/junk under and behind the extractor that's keeping it from closing completely. That makes it have less "bite" when it grabs a round in the chamber.

If you're not up to removing the extractor yourself, you can use some Brake cleaner, carb cleaner, or Gun Scrubber and the small plastic tube that comes with it, to squirt/spray into and around the extractor. Flush the cavity.

You should also check to be sure that the chamber is clean and doesn't have any kind of built-up deposits that makes it tight. But this is unlikely, from what you've written -- unless you shot a lot of Wolf ammo before you put it away.

If that doesn't do the job, its time to call Mike. You probably need a new extractor or extractor spring.

When you're not participating here, come join us at the CZ Forum.

(http://www.czforum.com )

 

[PCRCCW]

Id have to agree with Walt. The mags have nothing to do with extraction and ejection. It is typical for Cz's to get dirt/crap behind the extractor and even a "good cleaning" wont fix it, if you happen to miss this cavity.

It can be symptom of a "just dying" recoil spring...occasionally. CZ's DONT have the greatest springs and CZUB, the factory in Czech. is actually looking at Wolff and other companies to replace the OEM's currently used.

Shoot well.

 

[railroader]

I would have to agree with Walt on cleaning the gunk around the extractor. I had 3 rounds out of 150 not extract properly a couple of weeks ago. I took out the extractor which had some gunk, cleaned it and shot another 100 rounds last weekend without any extraction problems. If that doesn't work for you CZ- USA will take care of your gun under warranty.


Mark

 

[Bahadur]

Walt Sherrill:

I never used Wolf (and not even S&B I think) on this pistol - although the factory tested the gun with S&B ammo.

As I recall, this pistol was meticulously cleaned 2 years ago and put away. Prior to that it functioned perfectly reliably. Sit in in the safe for 2 years - and voila! - extraction problems even though I cleaned and re-lubricated the pistol before shooting it again.

I will try to clean the extractor and see what happens. For some reason, I suspect the extractor spring.

Thank you for your comments.

PCRCCW:

Hmmm. Recoil spring, eh? Does Wolff currently make a replacement for CZ-75B's? I hope CZ goes with Wolff in the future. I am no expert, but CZ springs do seem to lack tension compared to other pistols of similar size and capacity.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Well, if the extractor cavity is clean, try stretching the extractor spring. If that seems to solve the problem, order a new spring. (Stretching it will work for a while, but only for a while...)

If stretching it doesn't work, you might need a new extractor. That's a relatively rare type of problem with CZs. It happens, but its not common.

 

[Dorrin79]

Badahur -

I have the exact same problem with my Argentine Hi-Power I recently acquired.

So far, theories have been

1) bad extractor

2) bad extractor spring

3) too-tight / dirty chamber

4) dirty extractor channel

5) overly-strong recoil spring

so far, I've replaced the recoil spring with a 15lb wolff spring, thoroughly cleaned the chamber, and examined the extractor (which looks ok to my eyes)

I'm hoping to get out to the range tomorrow and see if it works now - if not, I'm going to go buy a set of punches and clean out the extractor channel. If that doesn't fix it, new extractor and extractor spring.

Hope this helps...

 

[Matthew_Q]

Well, you have seriously neglected your fine pistol, and now she's getting back at you!

Definitely clean and inspect as previously stated... lube it and show it some love... I'm sure she'll be back in the swing of things with no problems!


Oh, and Wolff does make a spring... you have to find it under the EAA or Tangfolio Witness (which is the same gun... in 9mm of course). I'd suggest a 16lb. I'm going to get a 16 and an 18 and test them both out... see which one I like the most.

 

[Destructo6]

I had the same problem when I neglected my CZ-75 for two years. Maybe the long-term storage allowed the gunk to congeal into a hard substance, but the culprit involved the extractor. Specifically, the groove in which the extractor rocks was filled with crud. I discovered it while replacing my extractor and spring in my process of elimination quest.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Generally speaking, magazines should have no role in the extraction part of the firing cycle.

Its probably a weak, dirty, or damaged extractor. (CZs are known for gunk in extractor cavities... You learn to clean that area regularly.)

The first and most likely solution is to remove and clean the extractor and extractor cavity in the slide.

This is easily done with a small punch. Take the slide off, drive the extractor pin DOWN, through the slide. Cover the extractor when you do this or else you might let the extractor spring come out and take off somewhere. Reverse the process to reinstall.

You'll probably find a lot of gunk/junk under and behind the extractor that's keeping it from closing completely. That makes it have less "bite" when it grabs a round in the chamber.

If you're not up to removing the extractor yourself, you can use some Brake cleaner, carb cleaner, or Gun Scrubber and the small plastic tube that comes with it, to squirt/spray into and around the extractor. Flush the cavity.

You should also check to be sure that the chamber is clean and doesn't have any kind of built-up deposits that makes it tight. But this is unlikely, from what you've written -- unless you shot a lot of Wolf ammo before you put it away.

If that doesn't do the job, its time to call Mike. You probably need a new extractor or extractor spring.

When you're not participating here, come join us at the CZ Forum.

(http://www.cz forum.com)