M1A issue

[sgtredleg]

Hey all,
I have a Springfield M1A Bush Rifle, (1980's). It has done great service for several years. Recently, about midway through a magazine it stopped firing. Upon examination, I had a live cartridge in the chamber and found the extractor and extractor spring/plunger assembly missing.
Looking around, I found the spring but not the extractor. Other than the firing pin and ejector being "out of position" there was no other damage.
I ordered a new extractor and spring and plunger assembly. I cleaned everything up, installed all the parts and took it to the range.
Bummer, I fired one round and had the same result! This time I found the extractor...
Has anyone here had experience with this issue?

 

[rcmodel]

Is it blowing case heads, which is blowing the extractor off??

First thing to do is thoroughly clean the chamber with a bore brush wrapped in 0000 steel wool and solvent, spun on a rod chucked in a cordless drill.

Then make sure there isn't part of a broken case stuck in the chamber holding the bolt out of battery.

If that is the case, you have bigger problems, as it shouldn't be able to fire that far out of battery!!

if chamber cleaning doesn't help?
Call Springfield and get a return call tag for factory repair.

rc

 

[sgtredleg]

Negative on case head being blown. They are intact and the fired brass appears fine. Tomorrow I'll do a thorough inspection of the chamber and clean it up, sounds like a reasonable start. Thanks much,

 

[rcmodel]

O.K.
Not to insult you.
But, is the spring and notched plunger in place in the bolt that retains the extractor??

rc

 

[sgtredleg]

No insult taken, I'm here to learn.
I installed the firing pin, ejector, extractor spring (retaining spring) and extractor into the bolt before firing my first shot downrange. After the shot, a used shell was ejected (without damage) and a new cartridge was chambered. I pulled the trigger with no response, (no click or anything). Upon inspection I noted the bolt was in place but all associated parts: firing pin, ejector, extractor spring (small retaining spring) and extractor were disengaged or separated from the bolt. Basically it looked like the "blow-up diagram that is in your msg rcmodel.

 

[Jim K]

One possible cause is someone fooling around with those springs trying to "smooth up" the operation of the gun, but that doesn't seem likely if you have had the rifle for several years. The only other thing likely to cause a change would be the ammo. Sometimes, a different or hotter ammo can cause the ejector to set back harder, releasing the extractor.

I suggest calling Springfield Armory, Inc. and see what they say. I have no experience with their customer service, but maybe others have.

Jim