Handi Rifle extractor preasure

[curtiswalker]

I just bought a new Handi Rifle .223 and the extractor is putting enough preasure on the empty casing that i am having a hard time pulling the empties out. Is this common with H&R's or is it just my gun?

[Doc Fillem]

I have a .223 and it doesn't seem overly difficult to remove the fired case. Maybe since your gun is new it will loosen up in time. Shoot a couple hundred rounds to break it in. I know it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it!

[petemi]

You can always knock out the small pin at the rear of the lug, remove the extractor and flatten the spring a tad to relieve pressure and put it back together.  It ain't rocket science....even I can do it.

Pete

[quickdtoo]

What Pete said,  bend the spring to straighten it out a little to reduce the upward pressure it puts on the extractor to make cartridge removal easier. I've been makin my own springs out of an old coil spring which is thinner material for this very reason, the factory springs are thicker/stouter than they need to be IMO. 

Tim

[petemi]

I've got a couple of Tim's springs......they work    Thank you Tim.

Pete

[cwlongshot]

I would first check for burrs or overall roughness of the extractor. These can have sharp edges and they will "bite" into the case and inhibit proper function.

My last 223 was a STS version and when I had to I stall new parts the replacement was AWEFUL in this regard. Couple minutes with my dremil and some flitz fixes that right quickly. BE careful, your not Tring to remove material other than any burrs. Just smooth the outside corners where the radius may bite as well as where ever the brass case touches/ bears against.
The edge that grabs the rim of the case SHOULD be a little sharp so it will not jump the rim once action is reopened. ( It SHOULD jump the rim when closing the gun.)

The action of the extractor has a bit of a cam to it, allowing the extractor to drop a bit when open for easy incertnion of a round. But when closed its held up. then remains help up for the inicial opening of the action just after grabbing the rim. very quickly that drops away and its all the springs job to stay in contact with the rim. If you take too much away from that spring you will develope extraction issues.
As a rule I NEVER cut a spring unless I have another in hand. Go slowly.

Good luck,
CW

[curtiswalker]

thanks for all the advise. hopfully i will be able to fix it. i have a feeling i am really going to like this gun

[curtiswalker]

Pete when you say to knock out the rear pin, are you talking about the one closest to the end of the barrel or the chamber?
thanks, Curtis

[quickdtoo]

The forward pin(muzzle end) is the hinge for the extractor cam, the rear pin(chamber end) is the keeper pin that retains the extractor.  There are pics of extractors underlugs in the FAQs sticky, be aware there are two different types of extractor underlugs too, the first generation were short lived and look a bit different.

Tim

[curtiswalker]

Thanks for the help