Replaced Extractor - Still Have Problems

ecdoesit · Post by **ecdoesit** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:06 pm

I replaced the extractor on my Mark III Hunter but the spent cartridge still gets dislodged by the rear magazine lip. I also checked the magazine latch button for any flashing and found none. My guess is the grip frame migh have the latch button hole drilled slightly off place. Are there any other factors that might contribute to magazine positioning being off? I don't want to alter the magazine out of safety concerns as this would entail essentially damaging the original design of the magazine either by rounding off the rear lip or grinding off some material from the release bump. I'm thinking if there are no other factors that determine magazine positioning, I have essentially identified that the grip frame needs to be replaced and will call Ruger to send me one.

recumbent · Post by **recumbent** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:41 pm

I don't think ruger will send you one. They will want the whole pistol back.

Post by **Bullseye** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:55 pm

I'd like to see the back side of the magazine latch button and the inside of your receiver through the ejection port with a mag installed. The button is the one thing that can be modified to adjust magazine positioning.

R,
Bullseye

melchloboo · Post by **melchloboo** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:38 am

Just curious if you are getting the same result from all your magazines?

ecdoesit · Post by **ecdoesit** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:18 am

The problem occurred with both magazines I have. I changed the extractor and tested by slowly retracting the bolt on an empty cartridge and watching how the cartridge still hits the rear magazine lip. I had hoped the new extractor would hold the cartridge higher and thereby prevent the rear lip from dislodging it. No such luck. I am still going test this with live fire to see if the rear lip will work effectively as an ejector with the new extractor. I also ground some of the metal off of one of my magazines and see that this has corrected the problem. Still, I am not satisfied with this solution because shaving metal off the magazine constitutes modifying a gun part which I deem potentially dangerous. So I will be returning the gun to Ruger. I'm sure Ruger will fix the problem but it sucks that some of us customers are getting such flawed guns, specially if you consider that the hunter is supposed to be top of the line. I think Ruger really needs to test this line more carefully before shipping to the retailers.

melchloboo · Post by **melchloboo** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:35 am

When you say you ground off metal, are you saying you ground it off the lip, or off of the notch that meets the magazine release button?

ecdoesit · Post by **ecdoesit** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:16 am

Off the lip

ecdoesit · Post by **ecdoesit** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:46 pm

Range Update: Took the gun out after replacing the extractor. I also ground the rear lip of one of the magazines. The result is that the magazine with the ground down rear lip never has ejection problems (stovepipes). The problem on my Mark III Hunter is magazine positioning. I called Ruger to send me a grip frame and they said no. I then asked if I could have my money back since they sold me a defective gun. They said that is something the store I bought it from would answer. They said I can ship the gun back to Ruger for repairs. I am now left with deciding between going ahead and modifying the other magazine by grinding down the rear lip or sending the whole gun back to Ruger.

Post by **Bullseye** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:32 pm

I guess it comes down to - Do you want to make a point, or do you want to go out and shoot your pistol? Doesn't sound like much of a choice to me. I'm thinking about how much time it takes to properly box and then ship a firearm back to the factory. Then wait until the pistol is repaired to specifications, which may take several weeks. Me, I'd just apply the fix that already as proven to be the cure.

R,
Bullseye

ecdoesit · Post by **ecdoesit** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:02 pm

I'd say you are right Bullseye. I have decided to make a point and sent the gun back to Ruger via my retailer (Bass Pro Shops). They will be handling packing and shipping free of charge and even provide warranty should anything happen to the gun in transit.

Other points of concern for me though (besides attempting to make a point with Ruger about their quality) were safety and resale value of the gun. Although probably remote to nil, there is a theoretical risk in degrading the magazine by grinding down the magazine lip. Additionally, there is the inconvenience of having to grind down new magazines as I acquire them, and this translates to a resale value issue, as I'd have to explain to any buyer about the need to modify magazines for use with the gun and this would likely result in lower sale price for the buyer.

I understand the spirit of wanting to just go out and shoot it. I overcame this by shooting lots of rounds through it before sending it out. I will miss the little Ruger but it will soon be back better than ever.

Lastly I should say, this site was indispensable in my even being able to identify what the problem was. Rarely does one run into sites that are as useful as guntalk-online.com. Among many other things, this site empowers consumers of Ruger products through education and guidance. I truly thank you and all the people that put this amazing little resource together. I will doubtlessly continue to visit this site and will support it however I can.

melchloboo · Post by **melchloboo** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:21 am

Basspro is very good about these things. I think if Ruger is fixing it you'll be fine in the end. I don't think it was realistic for them to send you a new grip frame, even though most likely they will just replace yours.

Post by **Bullseye** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:50 am

EC,

I support your choice to send it back and have it fixed by the manufacturer. As a caution, be sure to remove any aftermarket parts you desire to keep and reinstall the factory originals. The factory will remove the non-OEM parts when they work on your pistol. They will only send back the pistol to you with factory parts installed. Many a person was disappointed to lose a VQ trigger or sear.

Ruger will fix this problem for you to your satisfaction. Their customer service and repair shop do good work.

R,
Bullseye

ecdoesit · Post by **ecdoesit** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:37 am

Thanks Bullseye. I guess I'll have to wait and see if Ruger returns my VQ extractor. I put a note into the letter I sent them about wanting the extractor back.

ecdoesit · Post by **ecdoesit** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:57 am

I sent my gun back to Ruger and they fixed it and got it back to me in less than a total of 3 weeks! After getting it back from Ruger, I shot over 600 rounds without a single ejection issue. I strongly recommend new owners with problem guns send their guns back to Ruger to encourage Ruger to improve their quality assurance. Also, if the issue is ejection problems, in my view making modifications yourself to the gun is not desirable, specially if it entails grinding down magazine lips or other modifications that make the gun not work with factory magazines.

GunTalk-Online.com

Replaced Extractor - Still Have Problems

Replaced Extractor - Still Have Problems

Issue Resolved!