R9 Fails to extract

[bobsmith]

Hi.. My name is Bob* and I'm frustrated.

I have this amazing little R9s I purchased new a few months ago that seems to have trouble extracting the spent case from the camber.  I've tried a number of different loads and get the same issue with everything.  I think it's a bad extractor  (or spring).  As you can see in the photos the slide is fully back, but the empty has been hung up on the rim of the next round in the mag.

It seems to stop exactly where the rim of the empty case comes in contact with the rim of the loaded round in the mag.  Is there any source for extractors and springs?  Rather than waiting for the factory to get back online I was considering just replacing what I suspect to be the bad parts. I was in the middle of a return for repair when things got sideways at the factory and I'm worried this could be a year long process for repairs.

Any thoughts or ideas from the experts who have been R9 users for years?

Parts??   

*Ok.  That's not my real name actually.

[tracker]

Have you tried a different magazine?

[bobsmith]

Have you tried a different magazine?

Yeah.. Both mags do this.

[tracker]

Unlikely, but are the mag springs in correctly?

[bobsmith]

Unlikely, but are the mag springs in correctly?

I assume. How to check? It was purchased new and I didn't open the mags.  I've tried 4-5 rounds in the mags.  Letting them sit loaded for three weeks. 

[tracker]

The only way to check is to open the mag from the bottom, preferably in a plastic bag or with eye protection on. The top of the spring should be pointing upward as it faces forward in the mag. The only reason I am suggesting this is that it appears there are no other options at the present time to change parts.

Here is a photo:

http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/rohrbaugh/basefile/mag-parts.htm

[bobsmith]

The only way to check is to open the mag from the bottom, preferably in a plastic bag or with eye protection on. The top of the spring should be pointing upward as it faces forward in the mag. The only reason I am suggesting this is that it appears there are no other options at the present time to change parts.

Here is a photo:

http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/rohrbaugh/basefile/mag-parts.htm

Thanks.  Seems like a long shot, but I don't have many options now.

[JoshA]

This looks EXACTLY like the the types of FTE that I was continuing to have with the primary recommended ammo (115 grWST) and other various 115 gr ammo types.

When I 1)held firmly with locked elbows and wrists 2)SWITCHED TO 124 GD 3) let barrel cool between mags 4) limited the amount of mags a day and even at a session to stave off fatigue I ended up with 3 FTE in 99 rounds of 124 GD

I was FTE 1 in 15

That's better than 100% improvement and I personally think my grip was the problem all 3 times.

How many of these do you get per clip?

I know you haven't tried the 124 GOLD DOT yet (per other conversations), but oddly enough as soon as I went to 124 gr GD instead of the casing getting stuck where your photos indicate (what a pain to get dislodged) it was MUCH easier to get cleared with the 124. Like it was definately ejecting better.

Good luck. I will follow your post.

Tracker's recomendation to only go out and shoot a clip like you would in real life was the most helpful change for me besides the heavier Prefered 124 GOLD DOT.

[backupr9]

Anything that retards slide action can result in a similar problem, whether that be "limp wristing" or a dirty or poorly lubricated or overheated pistol.  One cause to consider, as discussed recently on this forum, is an out of spec firing pin retainer.  Take the slide off.  Try to move the firing pin retainer with a small wooden dowel or a screwdriver...if it rotates laterally it will touch the slide, impeding movement just enough to restrict ejection...perhaps less likely to retard extraction but no harm in looking.

[Drumbum]

+1 on Backup9's suggestion.
 I had a tough time with failure to feed initially & went through a boatload of expensive self defense ammo with no luck. Followed his advice to check & sure enough there was rotation. Sent it back to the factory. They replaced the FPR & solved the problem. Admittedly, you can't return to Rohrbaugh right now but the sale should be finalized soon. Do you have anything that looks like rub marks on the underside of the slide?

[MRC]

Mine did the same thing, only I don't think it pulled them out that far.  I never got a complete magazine until I found a partial box of Blazer Aluminum and I got 4 complete  magazines in a row with that stuff.

I went back to Gold Dots and I had stoppages on every mag again.  Very frustrating.

I was glad Eric wanted it back.

[bobsmith]

Anything that retards slide action can result in a similar problem, whether that be "limp wristing" or a dirty or poorly lubricated or overheated pistol.  One cause to consider, as discussed recently on this forum, is an out of spec firing pin retainer.  Take the slide off.  Try to move the firing pin retainer with a small wooden dowel or a screwdriver...if it rotates laterally it will touch the slide, impeding movement just enough to restrict ejection...perhaps less likely to retard extraction but no harm in looking.

The slide is going all the way back every time and even grabs the next round.  So I don't see how it's a case of the slide being retarded.  It's done this since new when I opened the box. Clean and cold it still does this.  The extractor just slips off the case rim.  Yet I can pull it out with very little resistance with my finger nail. 

[backupr9]

Friction will not prevent the slide from going all the way back...just slows it enough that the magazine feeds the next round up before the full extraction occurs.  Nevertheless, sounds to me like you have a bad extractor.  Wait 'til the factory is back and running and have it checked out...that's a bummer, but it is what it is right now.

[bobsmith]

Update:

Mag Springs - Correct.

Firing Pin Retainer -  Seems solid.

Chamber  -  A little rough in one spot with a deposit that was tough to get off the chamber wall.  Seems like half is polished and the other isn't. How hard is it to polish a chamber?  It's not real smooth in there. 

Extractor -  WOW.  This thing has a weak extractor. I used a pen tip to test the strength and it's VERY light compared to my other 9mm pistols. I just went by feel, but it really doesn't have much pressure on that rim compared to my S&W.   

[guncats]

Maybe slide velocity is too low. Try 124gr ammo....