How does this look to you? S&W Model 39

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Hockey7711

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Been having some ejection problems, the shell is extracted, but doesn't always eject
 

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I don't have any real help, Hocky7711. All I know is that at some point, S&W made a made a major change to the design of the extractor on the Model 39. It might help people to know which kind you have. The approximate serial number of your gun might help too, if there were other changes that might affect this.
 
That is the no-dash, long extractor.

See how it bows outward from its channel in the slide? That doesnt seem right- I would posit that it has lost tension (or been bent). If the extractor is losing its grip on the case before it contacts the ejector, it may not eject. The ejector itself looks fine as far as I can tell in that pic.
 
It's a mod 39 no dash. One of first 10K produced. I think you may be right that it is losing it's grip before it gets to the ejector.
Thanks
 
In an article Jan Stevenson wrote in Guns Annual Book of Handguns, Summer 1975, he mentioned the problems S&W had with the extractor: "The most trouble-prone part on the old Model 39 was the extractor. As long as it held, it was one of the greatest extractors going, but it all too frequently broke. This device was lavishly machined, served as it own spring and where it broke was at the heel of the back end which keyed into a slot just ahead of the safety tumbler, and tensioned the whole affair. This heel was a hand fitting point, and was under heavy and constant strain."
 
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Looks like it's sitting a bit too proud at the hook-end to me. And, while it may be optical - it seems to present as a wave rather than flat.

Todd.
 
If you have any luck left in your bag - it may merely need to be removed and cleaned underneath.

In any case, it would seem removal is gonna be unavoidable.

Todd.
 
Its a simple enough piece- I would contact a respected machine shop. Maybe if you send them that one, they can recreate it. Even if it costs a couple hundred, its worth it- early 39s have some collector cache. I dont dont suppose its a steel- framed example?:)
 
I'm having a gunshith take a look at it. I actually located an extractor online for $130.
 
Well, I brought my gun to the gunsmith and he adjusted the extractor. I fired about 40 rounds using various ammo. Two different reloads, some factory ammo. Worked great. Then I tried some old ammo and the shell ruptured at the extractor location, breaking the extractor about half way down. Not ever sure where the part went, just flew off.
The gunsmith is willing to Install a new one at no charge. I've seen them on gunbroker for $130 (new, unused condition)
I'll try jack first too, but did not see them on their website last time I looked. Maybe I can contact them directly...
 
Hockey7711 said:
Well, I brought my gun to the gunsmith and he adjusted the extractor. I fired about 40 rounds using various ammo. Two different reloads, some factory ammo. Worked great. Then I tried some old ammo and the shell ruptured at the extractor location, breaking the extractor about half way down. Not ever sure where the part went, just flew off.
The gunsmith is willing to Install a new one at no charge. I've seen them on gunbroker for $130 (new, unused condition)
I'll try jack first too, but did not see them on their website last time I looked. Maybe I can contact them directly...
Click to expand...
Yes, give them a call. Ive found their website isnt updated very regularly and alot of older stuff is not listed.
 
I'm interested in two things.

The ruptured case.

Is there any kind of warranty as to the *new* and *unused* (implying an actual S&W part) state of the extractors you have found? If so, buy the very next one that you see.

If you have one made, have two made. No one will charge you twice as much for two. No one reasonable, that is.

Todd.
 
I pulled all the "old ammo" which I had purchased in the early 90's...about 200 rounds. Used a collet, most came apart with no problem, but a small percentage would not pull even after several tries. Maybe the two blowout rounds I had with this ammo were both overcrimped, and would not have pulled.
 
Hockey7711 said:
I pulled all the "old ammo" which I had purchased in the early 90's...about 200 rounds. Used a collet, most came apart with no problem, but a small percentage would not pull even after several tries. Maybe the two blowout rounds I had with this ammo were both overcrimped, and would not have pulled.
Click to expand...
Seems a fairly valid *test*.

Who made them?

Todd.
 
I bought them at a gun show in California back around 1990. According to the receipt, it was a small company in Sacramento.
I don't recall the name right now, but I tried to track them down, but I don't think they are still in business. The cost was $50 for 500!
But $50 back then...
 
Got the gun back today with the new extractor. It seems to work pretty well, although I did have a couple of shells that didn't eject.
 
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