French Berthier Bolt Head Check and Extractor Removal Question

[jmoore]

Bought a Berthier rifle with a broken extractor. (missed during inspection at the gunshop)
Seems the easiest way to get a replacement was to buy a bolt head assembly, so I got two.
Upon arrival, they were compared to see how closely the measurement from face to lugs matched. Happy to report only 0.001" variance between the three, of which some variation was noted across the width bolt face itself.


Quick temporary setup to get comparative numbers.


So, looking like the quick fix is to drop one of the other boltheads into the rifle and go from there until more info is available about the best way of R&Ring the extractor. Does anybody have any experience doing this operation? Looks like the extractor needs to be driven rearward, just don't know if there's any hidden pitfalls or whether the act itself could endanger a good extractor. Will start with the broken one, but no rush at this point!

Information

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[RCS]

You would need to talk to Patrick Hernandez who is an expert on these rifles, you can find him on the French Forum on Gunboards.com

[jmoore]

Thanks! Haven't visited that forum in a coon's age. This and two other non milsurp forums are about the extent of my surfing the net lately.

[oldpaul]

You are correct, the extractor can be driven straight out from the front with a brass drift. Perhaps some support at the thinnest part of the extractor if you think it is prudent. Best. Tom

[jmoore]

Thanks for the info and photos! Makes life much easier. If I could quit shooting IHMSA for a session or two, would have range reports on some rifles.

[jmoore]

Cleaned the rust out of the chamber which was much worse than the bore and finally(!) made it to the rifle range (with something other than long range handguns) to test fire.

Worked just fine with the replacement extractor.

No serious target work yet, but the battle sights were pretty close at 100yds using Prvi Partisan ammo.