I do NOT think you want to do that!!!! The previous owner may have possibly tried feeding her without a clip and has managed to mess up the extractor. I'd try being VIGOROUS with bolt manipulation because that's how they were designed to be used. (Not by holding the bolt knob with your thumb and first two fingers ... GRAB HOLD AND WORK IT).
Having said that, if this approach doesn't help your feeding problem ... you may be in the same boat I was in with my old '91.