Marlin 444 Failure To Extract -- Do I Need A New Extractor?

[4MUL8R]

Many times during a shooting session I must physically press the extractor down (sideways) against the cartridge rim to permit extraction.  When I check the bolt outside the rifle and put a cartridge case in the bolt head, there is essentially no retention of the cartridge on the bolt.  Should I return the bolt to Marlin for a new extractor?

[Mikey]

You may need a new extractor - your current one may not have enough 'claw' on it to effectively grab the rim; or, you may need a new extractor spring - the one that puts tension on the extractor to keep it in place as it grabs the rim. 

In either case I would either call Marlin for the parts or send the rifle back for repair. Mikey

[millwright]

Did you make sure the extractor spring was in the right place when you put the bolt back in?  Not being sarcastic, just something to check.

[4MUL8R]

I found the extractor to be less bent towards the cartridge than it should be.  I leaned on the extractor a bit to give it some spring force over the case rim, and reinstalled it on the bolt in the big groove.  So far no problems--cases are extracting fine.  I have a new extractor on order from Marlin also.