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Posted: 1/21/2003 4:17:30 PM EDT
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Been gone for a bit, and I see a bunch of blown extractors on M1A's, Way to many. The most common problem on new rifles or rebuilt bolts is improper fit of the extractor. I've seen this on a few rifles, and it seems that SA has left this check out for a while. If the stem is to long it will lift the extractor up enough to slip the spring out of the small detent notch as it passes over the shoulder of round that next up in the Mag. Looking at the bottom of the bolt you can see the extractor stem, it should be at least 1/32"-1/16" above the bottom of the bolt. If not,remove from bolt, trim and round off the edges. You can redress the detent with a small drill bit by twisting it between your fingers, not to much. Reinstall, you should fell it pop into the detent. With "Dummy" rounds in mag, feed them. don't be gentle with it. Snap the bolt back and let it slam back in into battery watching for the extractor to lift. Hope this helps you out! |
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Thanks for the tips. I was one of the blown extractor "victims" as of late. I will check the fit of mine tonight or tomorrow as time permits (definitely before I use the rifle again). Based on the abnormal looking wear marks on the top of my extractor (where it fits into the breech), your problem descriptions and solutions sound right on. "added:" I might also pick up a "new" extractor at the next Costa Mesa, CA, gun show and check that for fit. I will keep the "worn" stock extractor as a back-up. "added2:" I forgot to mention also on my flying extractor that part of my problem is that the hole in the stock SA bolt for the plunger and spring appears to be too deep. When compared to a USGI bolt, my stock plunger and spring sticks out of the stock bolt about 1/8" or so less than the USGI. Seems like there was not enough pressure on the extractor to hold it in place. The gunsmith at the range I go to put a small ball bearing in the hole, then reinstalled the plunger and spring and found the fit to be similar to the USGI. I had no problems after that "fix". Thanks, fwaptrout (Blake) |
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I was one of the people with the new rifles that had the problem that you're describing. The gun lasted 35 rounds before a bunch of little pieces flew out. I'm very disappointed in Springfield Armory. How can a company who used to supply the US military go down in QC so badly? I was thinking of getting one of their 1911's, but now I think I'm going to get an HK instead. |
The federal armory that was located in Springfield Mass called Springfield Armory was closed around 1967. The company doing business as Springfield Inc, that mfg's M1A rifles has no relationship outside of the name appropriation. |
Don't be too discouraged. It is a great rifle, and these things happen. I have to admit I felt discouraged too, but I also know I can field strip the rifle at the range and fix it myself if I need to. You can probably fix it too (sent you a private message on that - I can show you how). Blake |
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I had self inflicted extractor problems this week. I swapped out bolts to make my NM all TRW. I tore the "new" bolt down to check the headspace before installation. I must not have reassembled the bolt properly and installed. I shot the NM yesterday and had a single shot. Changed the extractor and fired for effect today. Being a different bolt, I'm unsure if it came "tweaked" or if I did something wrong earlier. No biggie. It's running now. |
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