Browning Hi-Power Extractor Issues

B

Bartholomew Roberts

Moderator
I broke an NP3 coated extractor on my 1995 MkIII Hi-Power. I've since replaced the extractor with a factory extractor from Browning coated in NP3+. While I was in there, I replaced the Extractor Spring, the Firing Pin Spring, and the Recoil Spring with springs from Wolff. Today I gave it a little test run and no problems for the first 300 rounds. Just past 300 rounds, I had a failure to extract (Blazer 9mm 115gr aluminium case). I continued to run a mix of Blazer 115gr Aluminium, brass cased reloads, and a few rounds of nickel cased Speer Gold Dot through it and had 2 more failures to extract (all Blazer) from 300-500 rounds.

Previously (old extractor), I've run 1,250 rounds of Blazer through this pistol in a day with no cleaning and it chugged right through it with no problems. And while that was probably the high round count, it has done 500+ rounds of Blazer in a day with no cleaning more times than I can remember.

Right now, I am trying to figure out what the issue is and how to correct it in order to get it back to its high degree of reliability. Any ideas?
 
I think with rifles it’s not a good idea to mix brass and other metal cases during a session or between cleanings. It might be the same for pistols. The reason being the different metals will foul the chamber faster.
 
I own an AR15 and I'm aware of the phenomenon you are describing in that respect. Having run a LOT of rounds through Hi-Powers, I don't think it is applicable there, though I am always willing to learn if you have a more detailed explanation of how that works scientifically.

In the past, mixing cases types has never been a problem in this same pistol. So I am skeptical that this is the problem that needs to be addressed here.
 
Have you inspected the geometry of the extractor? What lbs is the extractor spring, recoil spring firing pin spring?

Some people report issues with Blazer Alum. I would try to run a 100 rounds of brass to see if you have the same issue.
 
Right now, I am trying to figure out what the issue is and how to correct it in order to get it back to its high degree of reliability. Any ideas?
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I suspect the issue is the Blazer Aluminum cases being "sticky" and since it's cheap ammo, the tolerances are higher than most brass cased ammo

A lot that runs on the large side can give problems whereas those on the low side can function well
 
Please check the channel in which the extractor sits. Grunge in the bottom will prevent the extractor from fully seating and being able to reach the rim of the cartridge. Any coating on the extractor may be adding friction to the range of movement needed to grab the rim of the case.
Best,
Rob
 
Please check the channel in which the extractor sits. Grunge in the bottom will prevent the extractor from fully seating and being able to reach the rim of the cartridge. Any coating on the extractor may be adding friction to the range of movement needed to grab the rim of the case.
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Great tip in general with the BHP. I did not suggest it because I assumed that since the op replaced the extractor it was clean and that he cleaned the extractor.

I would definitely try brass cased ammo first. I would bet it is the rim/case of the blazer aluminum.

If that does not work if you have another BHP that is functioning 100% I would take that extractor and install it into this one and see if the problem goes away. If it does then it is the NP3+ extractor.
 
The coating might be thick enough to prevent the extractor from seating into the extractor groove if the rim of that Blazer is a bit on the thick side of the spec.

Jim
 
Extractor channel was clean before it was installed. Extractor spring is Wolff.

All three cases were at least partially extracted, so it looks like the extractor is having trouble holding on the rim of the Blazer cases. I haven't radiused any of the extractor surfaces since they are already covered in NP3+.

I suppose it could be just the ammo; but as I easily have 10k rounds of trouble-free Blazer aliminium case through this and the problem is related to the part I just replaced, I'm thinking there is something that needs to be done.

I'd agree it seems like the cases are getting stickier as the gunk builds up; but I was able to get most of the cases out without much work (one I just slammed out, one I dug out with a thumbnail and I had to use a multi-tool to get one out).

The coating might be thick enough to prevent the extractor from seating into the extractor groove if the rim of that Blazer is a bit on the thick side of the spec.
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That makes sense actually. It is a factory extractor with a high lubricity coating on it. I bet between whatever small thickness the coating adds and the lubricity, it is just slipping off case rims that are towards the thick side.

Maybe a few light strokes with a file?
 
Maybe a few light strokes with a file?
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I think I'd use something which removes less metal than a file. You probably want to remove "0" metal at first, and just remove the NP3+ surface coating. Then shoot to see if problem is resolved.

Keep us up to date on this issue as you are not the only one who has the HP.

Bart Noir
 
OK, disassembled the extractor again. Cleaned everything again, though it looked relatively spotless even after the last 500rds. I compared the new, unfitted Browning extractor with the older extractor. If there was any difference in the two (other than one had the claw snapped off), it was too small for me to see with the naked eye or a micrometer. I checked the installed extractor, concerned that maybe the coating had made it a bit shallow; but using dummy cartridges, it was clear there was plenty of room there. So as a final effort, I ordered Browning extractor springs and installed those.

Ran it for 400rds of CCI and 17rds of Gold Dot 124gr +P today with zero problems extracting (did have one round get hung on the feed ramp because the mag was seated weird - grabbed the base of the mag to drop it but just tugging on the mag without pushing the mag release let the round go forward and chamber - need to look at that mag.)

At this point, I am going to call it fixed and ascribe the problem to the brand new Wolff extractor spring I used. It appears replacing that part with a factory Browning extractor spring has fixed the issue.
 
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