Captains1911 said:
I just installed a VQ Exact Edge Extractor in my Mark III, and after just 10 rounds, I noticed this wear mark on the outer edge of the extractor cutout in the barrel. Anything to be concerned about?
Hi,
Looks like the "square peg in the round hole" problem from the pix. Maybe it's not so severe in real life?
It's been a while since I looked at 'em side by side, but if memory serves, when you compare the profile of the factory extractor to the VQ unit, I believe you'll find the factory extractor rides in the slot on a curved contact point, while the VQ is cut straight. There may be a slight curve to the cutout, too, though it's probably hard to see. It'll sound like I'm being a smart arse, but if Ruger thought a straight cut was better, ya s'pose they might have used one? It's not like they haven't bought a VQ part or two to compare to their own!
Looks like there's a little more interference between the slot and the VQ extractor's contact point than usual. And it looks like the groove's cut pretty close, as the picture looks like a tiny bit of metal's already torn off the sharpest point. Others w/ VQ experience will probably weigh in on whether it's something to worry about. Sometimes wear patterns like this are self-limiting, other times problematic.
Were it mine, I'd pull the VQ, debur and reinstall the factory extractor, and see how it works. My old gunsmith boss had something to say about Rugers, Ruger QC and mods: "FIRST, let's get this thing working the way Ruger intended, THEN, if you're not happy, we can start dinking around w/ it." (He didn't say "dinking" but it's a family forum!) I did the debur regimen he recommended 30 yrs ago on my 10/22 extractor, on my Mk II 10 yrs ago, and both are working just fine to this day. Most Rugers love a little "fluff and buff" here and there!
Just sayin'... I'd argue Ruger's engineers know what they're doing. Far better than their QC guys!
Rick C
