Finally encountered my first pistol malfunctions

Sheriff Gotcha · February 9, 2013, 12:39 AM

So at the range yesterday me and my girlfriend were shooting my CZ 85B.

First I put the Kadet kit on to finish up a box of .22 that we had, about 30-40 rounds.

After that I put the regular 9mm slide back on and we started shooting some "low end" (WWB, Federal and Federal Classic) ammo. She shot about 50 rounds flawlessly. Then I came up and shot a few mags and recieved 2 failures one was a double feed and the other case didn't eject. I took it apart and wiped down the feed ramp and it worked flawlessly after that.

I cleaned the gun the day before we went is it possible that I left the gun too wet? It wasn't dripping/pooling on the outside of the gun, but I was getting greasy black spots on our hands from it. The ammo was really dirty though so I'm unsure if it was that as well in conjunction with the excess Ballistol.

Any ideas what may have caused it? The gun had about 400 or so 9mm rounds down range at the time.

chris in va · February 9, 2013, 12:44 AM

It was dirty. Mine did the same thing.

However, consider getting some MecGar's at some point. Springs are stronger than factory.

Pilot · February 9, 2013, 07:40 AM

CZ factory mags are probably Mec-Gars, but even if they are not, they are fine magazines. If you think the mag springs may be weak, it is cheap insurance to replace just the mag springs with CZ factory or Wolff mag springs.

See if you can isolate the problem again. If you had cleaned the pistol previously to shooting on the Kadet Kit on it, and that was all you shot, the pistol wasn't dirty. If you are getting occasionaly FTE's it may be the extractor spring. These are easily replaced also.

Walt Sherrill · February 9, 2013, 08:33 AM

Extraction-related problems are seldom due to magazine choices. You've described the typical extraction failures: failure to extract or a double-feed (which is really a failure to extract made worse by a new round feeding.)

Winchester White Box ammo is one of the rounds that seems to cause CZ extractors more problems than other rounds. I no longer shoot it, if I have any options. (In years past, the problem with WWB was partly due to a different extractor groove on the WWB case; that may no longer be the case -- I haven't shot it in a while.)

Check BEHIND the extractor (in the groove on the slide) and make sure no gunk has built up there. That aspect of the CZ design allows junk to build up, and that can keep the extractor from pressing on the case rim as strongly as it should. The best way to check or clean it is to remove the extractor, but you can also clean it with compressed air, etc. (If removing the extractor, drive the extractor pin DOWN, from the top of the slide with the slide removed. Be careful about the small spring under the extractor as the pin comes out.)

I don't know how OLD your 85B might be, but if it's an older CZ, it may have the original (somewhat anemic) extractor spring installed. (CZ went to a stronger extractor spring a few years ago. The year of manufacture is on a small oval near the ejection port.) You can get a stronger extractor spring from Wolff (or from CZ) for a few bucks. (CZ's may be free.)

CZ has been using Mec-Gar mags for some years now as their OEM mags, but the OP's mags may be older. Mec-Gar aftermarket mags will look the same as factory mags, but they are each made to slightly different specifications. I've never had problems with CZ factory mags OR Mec-Gar mags, and I've had BUNCHES of both, along with many CZs.

About the only thing you'll ever need to do with CZ Factory mags is replace the springs, but that's true with Mec-Gars, too -- especially if you leave hi-cap mags fully loaded. (That stresses springs in some mags, over time, and Wolff recommends downloading a round or two if kept loaded for storage.)

Later addition: crap buildup under the extractor, possible with DIRTY AMMO, can be the problem. Just cleaning the extractor area may solve the problem.

testuser · February 9, 2013, 09:12 AM

It's definitely the extractor or the extractor spring. The poster above is correct, check for fouling there. If that's not it, then you're probably looking at a new extractor spring and/or extractor. It's a cheap part.

February 9, 2013, 12:39 AM	#1
Sheriff Gotcha Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2012 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 236	Finally encountered my first pistol malfunctions So at the range yesterday me and my girlfriend were shooting my CZ 85B. First I put the Kadet kit on to finish up a box of .22 that we had, about 30-40 rounds. After that I put the regular 9mm slide back on and we started shooting some "low end" (WWB, Federal and Federal Classic) ammo. She shot about 50 rounds flawlessly. Then I came up and shot a few mags and recieved 2 failures one was a double feed and the other case didn't eject. I took it apart and wiped down the feed ramp and it worked flawlessly after that. I cleaned the gun the day before we went is it possible that I left the gun too wet? It wasn't dripping/pooling on the outside of the gun, but I was getting greasy black spots on our hands from it. The ammo was really dirty though so I'm unsure if it was that as well in conjunction with the excess Ballistol. Any ideas what may have caused it? The gun had about 400 or so 9mm rounds down range at the time.

February 9, 2013, 07:40 AM	#3
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	CZ factory mags are probably Mec-Gars, but even if they are not, they are fine magazines. If you think the mag springs may be weak, it is cheap insurance to replace just the mag springs with CZ factory or Wolff mag springs. See if you can isolate the problem again. If you had cleaned the pistol previously to shooting on the Kadet Kit on it, and that was all you shot, the pistol wasn't dirty. If you are getting occasionaly FTE's it may be the extractor spring. These are easily replaced also. __________________ Pilot

February 9, 2013, 08:33 AM	#4
Walt Sherrill Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 1999 Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA Posts: 6,348	Extraction-related problems are seldom due to magazine choices. You've described the typical extraction failures: failure to extract or a double-feed (which is really a failure to extract made worse by a new round feeding.) Winchester White Box ammo is one of the rounds that seems to cause CZ extractors more problems than other rounds. I no longer shoot it, if I have any options. (In years past, the problem with WWB was partly due to a different extractor groove on the WWB case; that may no longer be the case -- I haven't shot it in a while.) Check BEHIND the extractor (in the groove on the slide) and make sure no gunk has built up there. That aspect of the CZ design allows junk to build up, and that can keep the extractor from pressing on the case rim as strongly as it should. The best way to check or clean it is to remove the extractor, but you can also clean it with compressed air, etc. (If removing the extractor, drive the extractor pin DOWN, from the top of the slide with the slide removed. Be careful about the small spring under the extractor as the pin comes out.) I don't know how OLD your 85B might be, but if it's an older CZ, it may have the original (somewhat anemic) extractor spring installed. (CZ went to a stronger extractor spring a few years ago. The year of manufacture is on a small oval near the ejection port.) You can get a stronger extractor spring from Wolff (or from CZ) for a few bucks. (CZ's may be free.) CZ has been using Mec-Gar mags for some years now as their OEM mags, but the OP's mags may be older. Mec-Gar aftermarket mags will look the same as factory mags, but they are each made to slightly different specifications. I've never had problems with CZ factory mags OR Mec-Gar mags, and I've had BUNCHES of both, along with many CZs. About the only thing you'll ever need to do with CZ Factory mags is replace the springs, but that's true with Mec-Gars, too -- especially if you leave hi-cap mags fully loaded. (That stresses springs in some mags, over time, and Wolff recommends downloading a round or two if kept loaded for storage.) Later addition: crap buildup under the extractor, possible with DIRTY AMMO, can be the problem. Just cleaning the extractor area may solve the problem. Last edited by Walt Sherrill; February 9, 2013 at 10:49 AM.

February 9, 2013, 12:44 AM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	It was dirty. Mine did the same thing. However, consider getting some MecGar's at some point. Springs are stronger than factory.

February 9, 2013, 09:12 AM	#5
testuser Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2010 Posts: 495	It's definitely the extractor or the extractor spring. The poster above is correct, check for fouling there. If that's not it, then you're probably looking at a new extractor spring and/or extractor. It's a cheap part.