I have three different .22lr rifles with extraction problems. two Lakefield MkII and a Winchester 1904. Could this be a result of too many dry fires? I know the MkII rifles often get dry fired by new shooters not noticing the magazine was empty (I have tought a quite a few kids to shoot with those). The 1904 is so old, I can not guess if or how often it was dry fired. Could excess dry firing result in a damaged chamber that would hamper extraction? If so, what is a recommended fix?
Extraction problems
- Thread starter Andronicus
- Start date
With old gun - a polishing of the chamber might be needed. It may also have some carbon and dried up lubricant at the end of the chamber. Clean it up and confirm with a borescope.
A reamer will work but is surely a drastic solution.
Extractor spring weaken with time. Extractor hook or claw wear out too.Might be due for new parts.
Dry firing a .22 or any rimfire is a sure way to damage it. You need an empty case in the chamber and rotate it between each pull of the trigger.
If you don’t, the firing pin - striker - will likely end up beating up the inside the the bolt and create accelerated wear and burs.
A reamer will work but is surely a drastic solution.
Extractor spring weaken with time. Extractor hook or claw wear out too.Might be due for new parts.
Dry firing a .22 or any rimfire is a sure way to damage it. You need an empty case in the chamber and rotate it between each pull of the trigger.
If you don’t, the firing pin - striker - will likely end up beating up the inside the the bolt and create accelerated wear and burs.
If the breech is damaged from dry firing, you should be able to see it. You can also take a spent case and insert/remove it from the chamber by hand, feel if there are any hang-ups, inspect for scratching on the brass. A dinged breech can be easily "ironed out" using a tapered center punch, insert and rotate until the "burr" is displaced. A reamer is a tad drastic.
I've read that the Marks' extractors can be "Sharpened" to be able to catch the rim better, in addition to perhaps putting a second, additional spring clip on there. There are vids on both of these mods on YT. All the other suggestions would help too.
