Failure To Eject

[vietnam1947]

While shooting today I had 4 failure to eject rounds while shooting a match. No problem release magizine clear chamber and reload mag. and keep shooting.
What would have caused the problem? I was shooting a S&W 5906 reloading Rainers 124gr over 4.1gr vv-n320 winchester primers ( pistol )
Any thoughts, Thanks Fred

 

[wally]

Assuming you were shooting your relaods, a loss of some reliability is inevitable as having gone thru the gun multiple times the rims get boogered up from previous extraction/ejection cycles.

Try to shoot verifiable once-fired brass of the same headstamp for your matches and use the rest for practice.

Otherwise check your extractor for proper tension and freedom of movement (crud can build up under it reducing its effectiveness).

Also make sure the chamber is free of dirt and oil. Oil in the chamber (or carried in with the ammo) can cause extraction issues -- think suction cup, not lube.

--wally.

 

[GRB]

You are talking failure to eject right? Failures to eject can be caused by a lot of things. First check the ejector, is it chipped. Second, is it possible the gun was dirty or not lubricated properly. It may have enough force to extract but not eject reliably. Also the recoil spring could be wek, same thing enough force to extract but not to eject.

 

[Steve C]

Your load is at start level for jacketed ammo and may not have enough power to reliably function in your pistol. If the load is marginal you can get failures as the gun gets a bit dirty of if you don't provide enough resistance to the recoil. Go up another 1/10 gr or so and try that.

If the extractor is damaged it usually will result in the case being jammed in the ejection port. The extractor doesn't really drag the case from the chamber unless you are hand cycling the slide manually, the case being forced to the rear by the expulsion of the bullet actually pushes the slide back. Typically the extractor only acts as a pivot point to flip the case out when the ejector pushes it from the other side.

If you are seeing a closed slide with the case still in the chamber it could be that the case is sticking in a dirty or rough chamber but that kind of FTE is usually with a high pressure round.

 

[DWARREN123]

Check everything noted but it does sound like a lite load to me also.

 

[Griz44]

I had the same issue with my Colt on very light re-loads. I resolved it two different ways. Solution #1 was to up the powder by .2 grains. Solution #2 was to go to a 2 lb lighter spring. The light load was enough for the extractor to pull the shell out of the chamber, but not forcing the slide back deep into the ejector where it "flips" the case out the port. Springs are available in a "pack" with graduated ratings from www.gunsprings.com. It's a good idea to keep some springs handy if you experiment with different loads, being careful to use the strongest spring for the current load, it helps protect the frame from excessive banging. I also installed a shok-buff for a little extra protection.

 

[lgbloader]

Well put, Griz44.

 

[wally]

IMHO a shok-buffer is the best way to reduce your gun's reliability.

I assumed since he was shooting a match he'd had good results with this load in the past.

Too light a load will cause ejection failures for sure. I prefer to up my loads to cycle the gun with the factory springs so I can shoot factory ammo without having to remember to change springs.

--wally.

 

[vietnam1947]

I had the load at 3.8gr vv-n320 and moved it up to 4.1gr vv-n320, croned the 4.1 with 124gr rainer at over all average of 1088. fps it fired a 2 inch group at 25 yards, and hade no cycle problems, I had shoot a match the week befor with not problems may be the receiver spring, or just got really dirty, the ejector was sooted and caked up and the ramp feed also. barrel was clean.I was leary of going up in powder more because Rainer suggest not going over 1000 fps. Thanks, Fred

 

[Griz44]

Wally,
Do you have information on the shok-buffer? I installed one along with a full length guide rod on the advise of a bullseye shooter at a meet a few months ago. He swears by them. What are the reliability issues? I certainly do not want to risk damage to my SS Colt, I have too much invested in it. With the buffer in, the last slap of the recoil seems much softer. Bill Wilson installs them in his 3,000.00 competition guns. Has he made some other modification to accommodate the buffer? Thanks for the heads up.

 

[vietnam1947]

Grizz44
have not heard of it, do you have info or web sits? Thanks, Fred

 

[Griz44]

This is the kit I bought from Wilson Combat.

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_shokbuff_sys.asp

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_shokbuff.asp

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_shokbuff_sys.asp

Be aware that a Shok-Buff decreases slide travel by almost 1/8" inch.
That may cause ejection problems unless you already have an extended ejector.

It will also prevent most guns slide release from automatically un-locking when you sling-shot to load.
You will always have to use your thumb to release the slide-stop.

rcmodel

 

[Griz44]

Thanks RC, so far I have had neither issue with my series 80 government Colt.

Sorry 1947, we did not mean to hi-jack the thread. I'm glad the load adjustment cured the ejection issue you were having. It is always great to keep the gun clean. I do a complete tear down after each major outing and scrub my Colt and Kimber both super clean.

 

[vietnam1947]

Thanks, it could be I was just a little low on powder for those 4 rds out of 188 I had with me that day. Even thought I watch the powder case with a light that shines into the case to make sure I put piwder it it. If the slide spring get weak could that be my problem I have shot around 3000 rds with this one?