Uberti 73 failure to extract

[slow poke gear]

I have a new to me 73 in 44-40 I am having failure to extract issues. It seems like it happens no matter the brand casing it looks like the bolt is not going forward enough for the extractor to clip over the rim of the cartridge. My question is this a timing issue or a stretched linkage issue? Looking for pointers in a direction.  Thanks in advance. 

 

 Slow poke

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

You need to supply some additional information.  Stock links or aftermarket?  Have you checked the headspace?  Have you removed the side plates to see if the three pins in the linkage are lined up?  How old is the gun?  Did the previous owner ever have an out of battery discharge?  Does the lever come all the way up to the lower tang when you close it?

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Flush out the crud under the extractor. 

[SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER]

If the bolt is not going forward enough,

Lever and links in full lockup, you have a headspace issue.

Links not in lockup, you have a bent lever.

If it is a cut and weld short stroke look at the weld to make sure it hasn't cracked.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

PLUS ONE for Larsen E. Pettifogger.  It sounds more like a headspace issue than anything else.  And that may be correctable with special Short Stroke links.  Now you know why the rifle was sold.

[Go West]

Pictures help with mechanical issues.

[slow poke gear]

1 hour ago, SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER said:

If the bolt is not going forward enough,

Lever and links in full lockup, you have a headspace issue.

Links not in lockup, you have a bent lever.

If it is a cut and weld short stroke look at the weld to make sure it hasn't cracked.

Just took the side plates off. It looks like links are in the full extended position. Lever is in position to to engage the lever safety.  But there is a gap between the bullet and the face of the bolt.

[slow poke gear]

3 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

You need to supply some additional information.  Stock links or aftermarket?  Have you checked the headspace?  Have you removed the side plates to see if the three pins in the linkage are lined up?  How old is the gun?  Did the previous owner ever have an out of battery discharge?  Does the lever come all the way up to the lower tang when you close it?

To answer your questions, I don't know about the links suspect they are aftermarket. I have no idea about an out of battery discharge I just bought the gun used from a gun shop not the individual.  Lever comes up to engage lever safety,  but seems to be a gap between bolt face and case bottom. My guess would be about 10 thousands. 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Take the links out and push the bolt forward with your fingers.  Does the extractor snap over the rim?

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

As OLG already stated .

First things first and Clean out under the extractor  !

You will be amazed what is under it 

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

The fact that it is a 44-40 means it is much less likely to have crud under the extractor.  Sounds like headspace.

[Jason_Adams]

21 hours ago, slow poke gear said:

I have a new to me 73 in 44-40 I am having failure to extract issues. It seems like it happens no matter the brand casing it looks like the bolt is not going forward enough for the extractor to clip over the rim of the cartridge. My question is this a timing issue or a stretched linkage issue? Looking for pointers in a direction.  Thanks in advance. 

 

 Slow poke

 

Good afternoon! 

One very simple way I've found to resolve extraction issues is by using a brass chamber brush. At the very least, it helps eliminate the possibility that buildup in the chamber is causing the problem.

 

If it is a linkage issue not allowing the bolt to travel fully into battery, and you have already verified that there is no residue or some other blockage in the chamber causing the problems and no issue within the frame, then it is possible that the parts were replaced on the rifle improperly. Factory parts could clear this up for you.

 

If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. 

 

Jason Adams #114453

Edited December 8, 2024 by Jason_Adams

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

Is the extractor detent in the chamber face clean?

[Badlands Bob #61228]

Could be a weak/worn out extractor.  They do go bad.

[slow poke gear]

23 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

Take the links out and push the bolt forward with your fingers.  Does the extractor snap over the rim?

I just tried this and I could not push the bolt any further forward. The extractor wouldn't go over the rim.

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Quote

I could not push the bolt any further forward.

So, that tells you something besides links that are not "long" enough is causing your problem.

 

As you push the bolt forward, look down at the extractor tip and the cartridge support tab tip.  See if one of those is jamming into a part of the action or barrel which stops the forward motion.  In order for the bolt to make full travel, the bolt face has to come within about 8 thousandths of an inch (0.008") (or closer) from the rear of the barrel (the breech) back of a cartridge case.  Without the bolt having full travel forward, the extractor may not hook over the rim, and the fired case (or an unfired round) will not be extracted.  As well, the firing pin may not be hitting the primer hard enough to set it off.

 

About time to get the gun to a smith for a close examination.  This could be caused by a number of root causes, and with what I can read of your level of experience with the 73 action, you may hunt for a long time.

 

good luck, GJ

Edited December 12, 2024 by Garrison Joe, SASS #60708

[slow poke gear]

Thank you all for the information I  do appreciate it.

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

11 hours ago, Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 said:

About time to get the gun to a smith for a close examination.  This could be caused by a number of root causes, and with what I can read of your level of experience with the 73 action, you may hunt for a long time.

 

I agree with Joe.  This is especially hard with 12 to 24 hours between reponses and no photos.  Makes an on-line diagnosis very difficult.  Someone with the gun in their hands will probably be able to diagnose the problem in a few minutes.

 

Two things as parting suggestions on what to look for.  In your original post you noted:

 

On 12/7/2024 at 3:35 PM, slow poke gear said:

It seems like it happens no matter the brand casing

 

Are these reloads?  If so or with whatever ammo you are using with the links still out pull the bolt back and make sure the carrier is fully down.  Point the muzzle at the floor and drop in a round.  Does it go in the chamber freely all the way up to the rim?  If not you may have an ammo problem.  

 

Also look at the bottom tab on the bolt face.  The ejector is at 12 o'clock and the tab is at 6 o'clock.  Is the tab bent down?  Good luck finding your problem.

[TN Mongo, SASS #61450]

This 73 of unknown origin would be on its way to my cowboy gunsmith by now for a "thorough physical".

 

Following Larsen's ammo comment, have you tried dropping a piece of empty brass (preferably Starline) into the chamber to see if the extractor will close over the rim of the empty brass? If it does, you have an ammo problem, as Larsen suggested as a possibility.   

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

19 hours ago, slow poke gear said:

I just tried this and I could not push the bolt any further forward. The extractor wouldn't go over the rim.

Did you do this by pushing forward on the firing pin extension?  If so, try just pushing the bolt forward, not the extension.  Also, you might have to push hard since you don't have the lever to give you a mechanical advantage.  If the bolt still does not go forward far enough to snap the extractor over the rim, then look for what the bolt is hitting that stops it.