Extractor not extracting

[Jadoughty]

Hello and thanks for having me on the forum!

I have an 1874 Enfield MH MKI/II which I got from IMA. The chamber is clean and the cartridges slide in nice and smooth but they won't eject at all unless I hold the rifle with the barrel pointed up and work the lever like I'm trying to break it off. It has the strengthened extractor but has never ejected a case while being held horizontal no matter how hard and fast I work the lever. Without a case in the chamber the extractor operates just as it should so I'm not sure why it won't actually extract. Am I just bending the extractor out of shape when I operate the lever with a case in there? No idea how to fix this.

Also, the block doesn't close all the way so I can always see the very top of the chamber hole or the cartridge base if it's loaded. Hasn't been a problem for the 20 rounds I put through it but it's not exactly right. Would like to fix that too.

FYI: IMA has no interest in helping me. Only quoted their policy about not shooting the rifle. Disappointing to say the least.

Any ideas, info, suggestions are welcomed!

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Somewhere there is a dimensional error or a foreign body or hard-packed dirt in the action. As my crystal ball has a limited range, some more information is required.

It would be helpful if you could post photos of
1) The breech fully open, so that we can see the recessed breech face. This should be clean all round, with no hard-baked crud in the recess.
2) The breech shut as far as it will go with a cartridge loaded.
3) The breech shut as far as it will go without a cartridge. IF the block will not move up fully without a cartridge being loaded, then something is bent (less likely) or you have a foreign body inside the action (quite possible).

Please measure
a) the diameter and thickness of the cartridge base, just above the rim,
b) the diameter of the rim, and
c) the thickness of the rim.

It is hard to imagine that the extractor horns have closed up, but there may be well be a dimensional error in the cartridge.

Try loading a case by itself (no bullet). If the case will not enter completely so that you can close the block, ink over the case with a felt-tip pen, let the ink dry, insert the case, withdraw, examine to see if/where there are areas where the ink has been rubbed off.
If the case enters OK by itself, you need to check the overall cartridge length. What are the bullet dimensions.

As regrettable as you may find it, I am not really surprised that IMA is unwilling to help, if they have previously advised that the gun is to be regarded as a non-shooter. But look on the bright side. There is more know-how and help available on these forums than from any vendor.

I have never yet come across a rifle that has become tighter in its components - but I suppose there's aways a first time - the problem is almost certainly, as stated above, one of cartridge case dimensions or dirt. My M-H was packed with fossilized grease and and a few bits of brass swarf when I got it. Totally dismantled, cleaned, properly greased and reassembled it works very slickly indeed.

[TheDoubleD]

Patrick, he has posted this problem else where on the net. We think he may be using CBC shotgun cases which are undersized come off the hooks, but we have yet to get him to respond.

[Jadoughty]

Thank you for your response! I will be gathering this info in the near future. It has taken me several weeks just to join and post the info because, sadly, life tends to get in the way of my hobbies.

I responded to TheDoubleD on another forum and verified that I haven't used shotgun brass. I've only fired 20 rounds through it and they were Ten-X cartridges. Beautiful Jamison brass, American Pioneer powder (according to the owner) and 485gr .458 lead bullet.

Anyway, I'll take some photos soon and post them. Unfortunately I don't have any loaded rounds and reloading for the MH is another issue I'll be getting into on the forum.

Thanks again!

[TheDoubleD]

I have sent him a new extractor that does work