LLAMA 1911 38 Super extraction issue

[woodweasel58]

I guess you'd call it an issue, I just regained possesion of a long time family pass around Llama 1911. I ordered some new brass in 38 super comp. My extractor needs replacement and tuning for the comp brass. What extractor do I need to get that will allow for reliable extraction, I comfortable with fitting as long as it is close. I'm thinking 9mm should work. I'd appreciate any help.

 

[Jim K]

The .38 ACP/Super is semi-rimmed and properly headspaces on its rim, not on the case mouth, so best check the headspace of that gun. Then you might have to cut a groove in the barrel shroud for the rim as well as adjusting the breech face and extractor.

If you don't have a huge quantity of that brass, it might be better to chuck it in a lathe or drill press and trim down the rim instead of working on the gun.

FWIW, keep loads to .38 ACP pressures; the gun was not designed for .38 Super pressures.

Jim

 

[lathedog]

Have you tried the comp brass and experienced problems? I'm not sure of the spec for the comp brass, but I don't think it is more than .010 relieved (per side, .020 dia). I would expect the super extractor to run fine.

If you are having problems with extraction, have you tried factory 38S to compare? If it is not reliable with factor super ammo then your problem has a different flavor from modification to allow rimless brass.

I would first pop out the old extractor, inspect & clean. Loot at the front edge and hook (just that part in your hand) on a piece of brass to verify the shape is correct to fit into the extraction groove. The curve of the "D" shaped part of the extractor nose is often too large of a radius.

There was a big recall on the Llama 9 & 38S in the mid-80's, and I saw one that came back from warranty repair with a lot of changes to the inside of the slide. Just a bit of gossip and probably not related to your extraction problems.

FWIW the original 38S was headspaced on the semi-rim, but I don't think anyone has been doing that for 30 years. Bar-Sto started cutting chambers to headspace on the mouth in the 70's (?), and I think nowadays so does everyone else. However, that probably does not apply to an older Llama.