Wife says her Renegade 1873 doesn't like bullets.

[Yahoo Delirious]

Actually the .38 has no problems chambering and firing, its the extracting that's the problem.

As I cycle the lever down, it starts smoothly and the empty case will back out of the chamber a 1/4 inch or so, then it drags like crazy after that.  If I force the lever down (read a lot of pressure) the case will eject but obviously something is out of tune here.

Just as a test, I slid an empty case in the chamber and pulled it back out with my finger nail and it is smooth as silk.  So the chamber is not rough or anything.

I think it has to do with the bolt alignment or maybe how the extractor grabs the case.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks, Yahoo

[Shotgun Franklin]

The chamber could be slightly wider at the bullet end allowing the case to expand a bit more than the head end of the case. If so it's hard to check. The case can be resized back to shape as it's extracted.

[Pettifogger]

Sticking in an empty case and pulling it out won't tell you anything.  When a round is fire the case expands to seal the chamber.  If the chamber is rough, that is when you are going to find out.  Since it starts out easy that indicates it is not sticking in a rough chamber.  You may have the proper guess that it is something to do with the gun being out of time or some roughness in the linkage or carrier.

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[Montana Slim]

Check the cartridge guide/retainer on the bottom of the bolt (opposite of the extractor)...Rough extraction can be a result of the tab being broken off.

For other troubleshooting.... If it's tough to chamber a round, the tab may be slightly damaged, shortened, etc.

Slim

[Yahoo Delirious]

Thanks for the replies.

I think it is a chamber issue after trying some more cases.  They do drag a little so the resizing upon extraction is what may be happening.  The tab on the bolt is there and seems to be doing it's job.

Is honeing the chamber to a uniform dimension in order?  If so, can this be done by a laymen or is a gunsmith required?

Thanks, Yahoo

[Shotgun Franklin]

If you bought the gun new then take it back where you bought it.
If used then at least try sending the Maker an E-mail and see what they say.