Browning Challenger II Case Ejection Issue

A

AKshooter150

Inactive
Hi everybody,

Yesterday I picked up this beauty, vintage 1977, for a mere $350. The guy wanted more but I talked him down because he was moving to an anti-gun country the same week. Anyway, I cleaned it up (there wasn't much cleaning to be done, hadn't been used in years), got her oiled, took her to the range today and tested a variety of different 22 ammo.

I tested Federal, Remington Thunderbolt, CCI Mini-Mag, and Lapua Standard Plus, all 22LR ammo that I have sitting around. No matter the ammo type, after firing through about 20 ten-round mags of ammo, or 200 rounds, there were only two instances in which all of the ammo in one magazine was emptied without the spent case getting stuck in between the slide and the frame. In other words, this was happening about every other shot. Keep in mind that this is NOT a feeding issue; the rounds feed without a problem.

This is not as annoying of an issue as it sounds; the slide is very easy to pull back, so every time it happens, I simply pull back the slide a hair and the case falls out. But I would be a much happier camper if this was not an issue. Of all the ammo, Federal had the most success, while Lapua had the least success. I think this is due to the lesser powder charge in the Lapua, because comparing the ammo being shot side-by-side made it clear that the Federal definitely was louder with slightly more kick. Unfortunately, this is a real bummer, as I have nearly 5,000 rounds of the Lapua, while all of my other 22 ammo brands number only in the hundreds. I have probably about 400 rounds of Federal.

I truly love the way this gun feels in my hand and am not ready to sell it to go buy a Buckmark that may function without problems. This is truly a well-built, great looking gun, and I am amazed they are going for such low prices... especially in comparison to the incredibly high-priced Colt Woodsmans.

What do you think is going on? Slide return spring too old? Bad ejector piece, if one exists (not too experienced with gun parts)? Or something else?

I took the gun to a local shop today and they handed me a card for a certified professional gunsmith. Great, but that sounds expensive. Not really rolling in cash, here.

Suggestions?

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I'll start by saying that I do not have a Challenger II.

But with my Woodsmen, I shoot standard velocity ammo (for the improved accuracy) exclusively.
The guns work flawlessly, but I've never shot 200 at a time either without cleaning.
.22 blowbacks are a dirty breed, and the gloves in the photos make me think cold weather could factor into this as well.

Your Lapua is SV, and that probably explains the higher failure rate.
Don't know the spring rating, but I believe those guns were made to function
with HV ammo, same as a modern Woodsman.

Altering a recoil (bolt return) spring would be my last resort.
The gun does not look to have wear enough for the ejector to be worn.
Your photos (to me) indicate the bolt is not going to the rear smartly enough to give proper ejection.
Recoil spring is not worn, but rather too strong (if the bolt works very smoothly otherwise).

My recommendation would be to ensure I had a needle oiler along to keep the
slide rails and slide top lubricated to help bolt movement.
I usually keep a small bit of oily rag handy for wiping the feed ramp and an old toothbrush for the bolt face.
Same with a patched rod to clean and lightly oil the magazine interior every other time they go out.

I really think the above will go a long way to improving the function with the quality Lapua.

What the heck, it's worth a try.

JT
 
The recommendation to have a gunsmith look at it is a valid one.
There's many things that can contribute to this problem.
It may not be just one single part.
Extractor, ejector recoil spring, hammer spring, 'etc - all or none can be involved.
A knowledgeable smith can be less expensive than throwing parts at it.
If problems can be caused by a dirty gun, there's probably other issues as well.
 
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I bought a Challenger II new in 1981. It was the first pistol I bought having a few I inherited or was gifted. I never could get it to run reliably. I was told at the time it was the feed lips of the magazines, and that they needed to be adjusted. It was an accurate pistol, but very frustrating, so I sold it to a friend who wanted it as a project. I don't know if he was able to make it reliably as I moved and never saw him again.
 
Could be over the years the old lube has become gummy in places. IMO RemOil is known for becoming gummy/stiff. Flush the various areas with WD40 and manually work the action. Dry and re-lube as usual.
 
WD-40 is as bad, if not worse than old RemOil.

Use a proper gun cleaning solvent; and re-lube with a quality oil, like FP-10, that won't get gummy.
 
I bought mine new in about 1978. The extractor was incredibly loose and a spent casing would just fall out from under the extractor. Had same problems as OP. Years later when factory parts were no longer available I made one that held as it should and now it works reliably with most ammo. The tip of the extractor is the only portion that should contact the brass and only at the junction of the rim and the case, and it should hold the brass just barely snug against the face of the slide.
 
"WD-40 is as bad, if not worse than old RemOil."

WD-40 is readily available, many have it around the home. :o WD-40 will change into a powder under pressure/heat of a air compressor and will cause couplers to leak/fail. That's why I say to dry or ideally use compressed air to clear-out. Marvel Mystery Oil works fine under pressure/heat but is thicker and doesn't penetrate as well.

Besides, a pistol doesn't get hot like a rifle barrel. :o
 
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