Defender: okay, I think I jinxed it...

[W. Fargo]

hey guys,

I posted about a week ago about my new-to-me Colt Defender and how it functioned flawlessly the first time I shot it.

Well...... yesterday was different. I used the same "reloaded" ammunition (Vithavuori N340 6.2 grain behind 230gr. FMJ Roundnose)
And now, one magazine, no problems, reload the same magazine, failure to eject every other round.
Again always using the same magazine (which gave no problems the first time I shot it)
The before last magazine had a failure to eject almost every time. The last magazine... no problems...
edit: by the way, my shell casings are clean as a whistle but, from different brands... might be an issue???

With almost every failure to eject it seemed like the extractor had slipped over the rim. The casing was still half-way in the chamber with the slide already attempting to feed another round.

I disassembled the pistol and found no issues.
Now I have been googling and Youtube-ing and found guidance on "extractor tension adjusting" because it seems like the extractor is the "problem-child" here.
What do you guys think? Am I going in the right direction?
edit: also, when looking at the extractor it does not seem very sharply "cut". When I ook at other extractors they seem "sharper". Do not know how a new Defender-extractor should look....

Greets,

J.W.

[W. Fargo]

Okay, so I've done the extractor tension test I found on youtube. Plus I've removed the extractor from the slide. All seems to be in perfect condition. Also tension seems to be good, as far as can be determined with the "stuff-cartridge-behind-extractor-and-shake"- method...

So... why do I see an empty casing halfway out of the chamber, with the slide already pushing up the next cartridge from the magazine.....??? Should I try a larger load, or smaller?

[threecharley]

sounds like colt mfg should see it?

[W. Fargo]

Sending it to Colt would be a good idea, but unfortunately I'm located in the Netherlands, so that option is "out the door".

[threecharley]

oops sorry to hear that. mabee try to find a good gunsmith? hope it all works out for ya bro.

[cochise]

Just a few sugestions try..........................different magazines...........factory ball ammo ( no reloads )................load only two rds and shoot, see if 3 rds work ..... this is attempt to narrow the solutions. The most common problems are magazines and ammo.

[W. Fargo]

Thanks guys, I'll try swapping the magazines, and I'll try some factory ball.

Greets,

J.W.

[RDak]

Just saw this thread........my Defender extractor is not dull, not razor sharp but medium sharp if you get what I mean.

Call Colt and see if they can at least mail you a new extractor. (I'm not up on all the silly rules for international sales of gun parts.)

ETA: The middle of the page shows an extractor costs about $34. Maybe they'd replace it for free but I don't know.

I hope there isn't some stupid regulation that prevents an extractor from being shipped to the Netherlands.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/ShopOnline/t.../Defender.aspx

A friend of mine had an old Ballester Molina that had a dull extractor and it would not extract properly. (The Molina's extractor is VERY similar to the Colt extractor in design and function.)

He was able to find a new aftermarket extractor for it. After I filed a bit off the "other" end of the extractor, near the hammer to make it fit better, it worked perfectly thereafter.

In my limited experience a dull extractor is not a good thing IMHO.

How old is your Defender?

Nevermind, I see in your other thread that it was made in 1999. The extractor could very well be worn IMHO. I would just buy a new one from Colt and replace it. It is a very easy thing to do. It's worth a try IMHO.

But, those darn international shipping regulations!!??

Just out of curiousity, did the seller mention this problem.......is that why it might have been offered for sale?

[Toidroid]

I put some spring and follower kits in my defender magazines and most if not all of my infrequent jamming issues went away. It was a pretty cheap fix, and I think you'd want those steel followers out of your gun anyhow. I used a kit from Tripp research I think. New spring with a plastic follower that doesn't mar up your bullet ramp. Very reasonable, but its hard to keep your original capacity with the new long springs. The other popular answer seems to be Wilson combat, which I do not have.