Smoothing a rough extractor

AL45 · July 6, 2013, 12:30 AM

The extractor on my Carcano bolt is marring the rim on the brass. It ejects the case fine, but there are marks on all the rims and all the area that engages the rim looks rough. How is the best way to smooth these tight areas up? I was thinking of a thin Dremel buffing wheel and jeweler's rouge or a thin smooth stone. Any ideas?

mete · July 6, 2013, 03:50 AM

Use a stone ! Dremels usually do things like round edges .Stones give better control and better edges.

Old Stony · July 6, 2013, 04:34 AM

Any appropriate abrasive rubber wheels on your dremel will probably provide the smoothing you want without removing too much material. Sometimes it's tough to find the right comprimise between a buffing wheel and a stone, but cratex might do the job for you.

g.willikers · July 6, 2013, 09:29 AM

Another vote for using a mild abrasive rubber wheel or cone, with the dremel.
But with a very light touch, and slow speed.
The problem, at least around here, is finding the wheels.
Lots of dremel accessories are available, except those.

Dixie Gunsmithing · July 6, 2013, 02:38 PM

I always use stones and needle files to shape these. Use a magnifying glass or lamp, to get a good look, and a small vise to hold it while you work on it.

Wreck-n-Crew · July 6, 2013, 09:26 PM

Quote:

I always use stones and needle files to shape these. Use a magnifying glass or lamp, to get a good look, and a small vise to hold it while you work on it.

Good advice^^^

Getting a good eye on what you are doing and using a needle file and light stone to polish if necessary as well. A vise make it much easier to work by keeping the part good and steady.

I am not saying you can't be successful with a dremel and the right abrasive attachment, but it is too easy to make a mistake with one a needle file has a good shape to begin with for your project.

Slow and easy gets my vote!

**4V50 Gary** · July 7, 2013, 09:22 AM

Hand stone it or needle file it.

AL45 · July 7, 2013, 02:34 PM

Gentlemen, thanks for the information.

SIGSHR · July 7, 2013, 10:53 PM

Hand stones and files, and if possible, check case after say 5-10 strokes.

tkara3 · August 27, 2013, 07:21 AM

Can you take the extractor out with out taking the slide apart.

James K · August 27, 2013, 10:12 AM

On the PPK, it is tricky, but yes. And you want to crawl under a sheet to do it, else things fly away and get lost. Hold the slide in a vise, and use a small screwdriver to push the extractor spring plunger back into the slide. Then use small pliers to pull the extractor out. To replace the extractor, put the spring and plunger in (watch which way the plunger goes). Then use the extractor itself to push the plunger back until the extractor tail snaps into the hole and the plunger snaps over the extractor.

If you mess up and spend two hours on the floor in the corner, don't blame me; I told you to use that sheet!

Jim

July 6, 2013, 12:30 AM	#1
AL45 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 754	Smoothing a rough extractor The extractor on my Carcano bolt is marring the rim on the brass. It ejects the case fine, but there are marks on all the rims and all the area that engages the rim looks rough. How is the best way to smooth these tight areas up? I was thinking of a thin Dremel buffing wheel and jeweler's rouge or a thin smooth stone. Any ideas?

July 6, 2013, 03:50 AM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Use a stone ! Dremels usually do things like round edges .Stones give better control and better edges. __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

July 6, 2013, 09:29 AM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Another vote for using a mild abrasive rubber wheel or cone, with the dremel. But with a very light touch, and slow speed. The problem, at least around here, is finding the wheels. Lots of dremel accessories are available, except those. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

July 7, 2013, 09:22 AM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	Hand stone it or needle file it. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 27, 2013, 07:21 AM	#10
tkara3 Member Join Date: October 6, 2005 Location: n.e. ohio Posts: 21	German ppk extractor, Can you take the extractor out with out taking the slide apart.

July 6, 2013, 04:34 AM	#3
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	Any appropriate abrasive rubber wheels on your dremel will probably provide the smoothing you want without removing too much material. Sometimes it's tough to find the right comprimise between a buffing wheel and a stone, but cratex might do the job for you.

July 6, 2013, 02:38 PM	#5
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	I always use stones and needle files to shape these. Use a magnifying glass or lamp, to get a good look, and a small vise to hold it while you work on it.

July 7, 2013, 02:34 PM	#8
AL45 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 754	Gentlemen, thanks for the information.

July 7, 2013, 10:53 PM	#9
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	Hand stones and files, and if possible, check case after say 5-10 strokes.

August 27, 2013, 10:12 AM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	On the PPK, it is tricky, but yes. And you want to crawl under a sheet to do it, else things fly away and get lost. Hold the slide in a vise, and use a small screwdriver to push the extractor spring plunger back into the slide. Then use small pliers to pull the extractor out. To replace the extractor, put the spring and plunger in (watch which way the plunger goes). Then use the extractor itself to push the plunger back until the extractor tail snaps into the hole and the plunger snaps over the extractor. If you mess up and spend two hours on the floor in the corner, don't blame me; I told you to use that sheet! Jim