I used the approaches suggested in the previous posts, i.e. ramp transitions, extractor polish, cleaned. None of them worked completely. I then found a suggestion that cutting the extractor spring in half would work. I tried it, after making sure I had a spare one. It worked for a while, but with a few issues. I then came across the Apex “failure resistant extractor.” I decided to try it in my own as this is my test bed for M&P issues. I just got it, but I have a question for the group before I call Apex. Have any of you tried the cut down extractor spring approach? I you have, would you use the OEM spring on the Apex extractor or the cut down spring?
I don’t cut springs anymore, but I’ll thin them to reduce their strength. Either way though, Apex extractors are designed to use the standard springs. And I’m not entirely sure why the extractor on a M&P will cause a failure to feed, but I must have missed the original thread on your problem. Is the round jamming under the extractor?
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The theory is that the extractor springs are too tight and cause the extractor to hang up on the case just enough to cause a feeding issue. It appears to be a problem primarily for the .40 M&P. I had one that I tried everything, prior to finding out about the Apex extractor, & the only thing that worked was the softer spring. I’m open to any suggestion at this point, but I’ll use the factory spring with the Apex. GF
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I know the fix well, lots of M&P shooters will clip a coil off the extractor spring to stop misfeeds hanging up. The extractor is tensioned so it doesn’t snap over the rim and instead jams the feed. But correcting the extractor tip has usually fixed it for me, the major difference I see on the Apex is the shape of tip of the extractor. And most of the shooters seem to run into it only on certain brands of ammo, other brands feed fine. I have nothing against those who get it working by clipping coils, I just don’t clip springs when I don’t have to and I’ll lighten them on a belt sander.
Most of the competition guys I know that shoot M&Ps use Apex parts, including me in my M&P Shield I occasionally carry. I do know shooters who have installed extra power extractor springs. Jeff
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I must be missing something. The guns don’t feed because the extractor tension is too great? So people are weakening the tension by clipping a coil off of the extractor spring…is that correct? Also if the extractor doesn’t snap over a chambered round I would make it do so….especially on a defense gun. Ken
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You got it about right. I’m not sure I understand the reasoning since it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me in the function of these guns. The ones I’ve worked on just needed a little fine tuning of the extractor to get them to reliably feed cartridges, never had to lighten a spring on the M&P. Like I said, the Apex extractors only seem different in that they’re a little more refined and the tip is shaped properly. Not sure if it’s directly related, but I haven’t experienced this on the 9mm, only the .40 S&W. May also have been only a limited production run since the new M&P 40c I worked on a week ago didn’t have any issues. It did have the striker spring missing. Gotta love the internet, it keeps gunsmiths in business fixing things people botched from a YouTube video. 🙂
I’d suggest a question on extractor tuning for the webcast but you’ve covered it a number of times already. Jeff
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OK just wanted to be sure I understood what was being described and discussed. All the ones I have seen just needed the extractor fitted up abit and polished and chamfered where need.
I may touch on extractors some as I enjoy it but want to be of service to the students and their needs. Ken
