EAA Witness 10mm Headache

[Jeff Bergquist]

Thanks David, I'd like to try your extractor if possible. It's a $30 part so I'd rather not order a replacement unless it's absolutely necessary. When you get a chance, can you please check your gun and tell me how much play there is on the extractor? Mine seems kind of wobbly, but I don't have much experience with external extractors so I'm not sure if it's supposed to be that way. I'm going to detail strip the slide and see if I can figure anything out.

The extractor should not be "wobbly", it should pivot with significant resistance, so another potential suspect is a weak or broken (or missing) extractor spring. Wolff sells extra power extractor springs for pretty cheap. I have a couple extras on hand and can give you one to see if it helps.

[Keith]

135gr - 1600fps, 767 ft. lbs.

I tried a couple hundred of that load through my Glock 20 with factory barrel but in the end didn't feel comfortable with it. It showed mild to wild signs of high pressure, including split/ cracked cases. I sent the remaining rounds and split cases back and he replaced it with a new lot # which did seem fine but I still didn't trust it. I did notice that the new rounds had a different primer in them. Too bad. That was an awesome load even though I couldn't duplicate his chrono readings, as others have reported over on 10mm talk.

[Ironbear]

Mac, it sounds identical to problem I had with my Tanfoglio when I sheared the tip off of the extractor. I would check
a) is there marks on the case like it is partially grabbing the rim or not at all.
b) that the extractor is still all there (duh)
c) if the extractor is actually hooking the rim of the case (It seems I've heard of some extractors that weren't sized right)
d) is there crud under the extractor

[David]

I checked mine, and it's rock solid, actually hard to move at all. No play whatsoever unless you use a screwdriver.

[macphisto]

The extractor should not be "wobbly", it should pivot with significant resistance, so another potential suspect is a weak or broken (or missing) extractor spring. Wolff sells extra power extractor springs for pretty cheap. I have a couple extras on hand and can give you one to see if it helps.

I checked mine, and it's rock solid, actually hard to move at all. No play whatsoever unless you use a screwdriver.

Thanks guys. I can see the spring in there so it's either broken or improperly seated. I need to get a punch so I can remove the extractor and find out for sure.

Update: Knocked the pin out to give things a look. Sure enough, the spring was bent and smashed. It was probably installed incorrectly at the factory. I did my best to straighten and fan it out. Put things back together and there's a noticeable difference in tension. I will probably still replace the spring, but I'm guessing it's "fixed" for now.

Thanks for all the good help, folks.

[Seismic Sam]

Mac: Well, it's noon on Friday. If you want to come over, send me a PM. And 1911 fan: did you forget that I have a clear field of fire on the dead end road that leads to my driveway out to 965 yards, and my .338 Ultramag is good probably out to 1300 yards??

And BTW - the office party was at my place YESTERDAY. Went through a full case of wine in about 3 hours flat.

[Stradawhovious]

the office party was at my place YESTERDAY. Went through a full case of wine in about 3 hours flat.

What did everyone else drink?

[1911fan]

SS. That why we send Straddie in first. He's the meat shield.

[macphisto]

Shot it again yesterday. Some improvement after the adjustment, but I still need a new spring.

[Stradawhovious]

SS. That why we send Straddie in first. He's the meat shield.

Do I have to say this every time? THAT'S MR. MEATSHIELD TO YOU BUDDY

And Mac., if you need someont to help you test fire the 10mm after you get a new spring in there, let me know. id' be happy to donate my time!

[onebohemian]

http://www.gunsprings.com/SemiAuto/EAANF.html#Extractor

WOLFF EXTRACTOR SPRINGS
Extra power extractor springs are available to correct extraction problems common in the CZ-75/85 series pistols - all calibers. Wolff springs are approximately 25% stronger than factory springs. Will also function in EAA Witness, Springfield P-9 and most CZ clone pistols.
Stock No. 32010 - each.....$ 3.49

I can't tell but it appears the same spring fits different caliber guns. Maybe the gunsmiths at Joes Sporting Goods, Capras, Bills, Streichers, or even Gander may have one that they'd sell you for a couple bucks.

[cobrareborn]

Just to let you know, I had to grind a little off the wolf spring to fit it in My CZ SP-01. It was completely compressed when I installed it so I had to take a little off.

[monschman]

http://www.gunsprings.com/SemiAuto/EAANF.html#Extractor

WOLFF EXTRACTOR SPRINGS
Extra power extractor springs are available to correct extraction problems common in the CZ-75/85 series pistols - all calibers. Wolff springs are approximately 25% stronger than factory springs. Will also function in EAA Witness, Springfield P-9 and most CZ clone pistols.
Stock No. 32010 - each.....$ 3.49

I can't tell but it appears the same spring fits different caliber guns. Maybe the gunsmiths at Joes Sporting Goods, Capras, Bills, Streichers, or even Gander may have one that they'd sell you for a couple bucks.

Gander??? a couple of bucks???? an in stock gun part????
Dood, i know its noon simewhere but maybe you should lay off the hard stuff a little
(maybe i should too, i seem to have forgotten how to capitalise in the last half hour)

[Seismic Sam]

BTW - I had to grind a little off the hammer spring on my 10mm EAA too. That spring is designed to compress to nearly 100% under load, and when it's metal against metal there isn't any such thing as 101%.