Wondering why we don't see more extractors

[Griff56]

Greetings to the forum. I haven't posted here but a few times but enjoy the conversation and information.

My question is why don't break action shotgun makers install extractors rather than ejectors in Single shot, SXS and O/U's?

They make a lot more sense to me and I hate to look for the spent shell in the tall grass when hunting. It is very easy to remove the spent shell and place it in your pocket and if you reload it is necessary. I also do not like to see old spent shells littering the farmers field. Not good advertising for the hunting and shooting community in my book.

 

[gp911]

Extractors seem to be replacing ejectors in some arenas, see the NEF Handi-Rifle. Used to be ejectors, now most are extractors.

I like ejectors for quick reloads, though I understand the aggravation of hunting down empties in the bush... Given the choice in a single shot I prefer the ejector.

My 2 cents...


gp911

 

[PTK]

I, too, prefer an ejector for my single-shot shotguns, but I do love extractors on the rifles.

As for my double barrel made by Stoeger, it has extractors. Works fine, but reloads aren't as quick as the single.

 

[Hornet 6]

Ejectors are the best compromise, rapid reloading if needed, but easy to catch the shells if you want/need to.

Neil.

 

[Virginian]

What Hornet said. I can put my hand over an ejector when I am in no hurry, but I can't make an extractor faster when I am in that hurry.

 

[Griff56]

Is there a major cost factor in manfacturing?

 

[45auto]

Browning has a model that you can "turn" the ejectors "on or "off".
Nice option IMO.

 

[PJR]

Ejectors were developed in Europe for high volume driven shooting and are associated with higher grade guns. The Duke would have a pair of fancy sidelock sxs with ejectors and a loader so he could keep up a volume of fire. The gamekeeper meanwhile would have a simple non-ejector boxlock.

All of my guns have ejectors but I can't think of many times when they made a difference. I don't need them on my clay guns because I reload and keep my hulls. In the field there might have been a couple of hunts when we busted a covey that the ejectors came in handy but for the type of hunting I do extractors would be just fine.

Extractors would be cheaper to manufacture but most shooters expect ejectors and extractors are wrongly considered an indicator of a lower grade gun.

 

[ArmedBear]

The Duke would have a pair of fancy sidelock sxs with ejectors and a loader so he could keep up a volume of fire.

He also had a pissboy to pick up the spent hulls from his shooting grounds.

Here are a couple of nice guns with extractors, and some models with ejectors:
http://www.doubleshotguns.com/ugartechea.htm

CDNN has some Fausti Stefano O/U's with ejectors on clearance sale right now. Worth a look; prices are pretty good!

Automatic selective ejectors are more complicated than extractors, which every break-action shotgun has.

If you are in a hurry to reload, ejectors are nice. You can pick up the hulls later. Beats the hell out of a semiauto that throws them off sideways somewhere. There's usually more heavy brush next to me than behind me. If you're not in a hurry, you can catch them.

That said, I own a couple of guns with extractors. Just got one of them, so it hasn't seen any hunting yet. They're some of the least expensive guns I've ever bought, but that has little to do with the way the hulls come out.

 

[Griff56]

I have a little Browning S x S in 20 gauge that is a real delight to shoot, but I hate having to pick up the hulls after it throws them 300 yards to the rear. And I find it an inconvenience to catch them when I open the chambers.

I guess I could disconnect the ejectors but then you have to pry them out of the chambers.

Being and old goat and seeing things in a different light, I just wonder why gun manufacturers don't offer them.

 

[hhmorant]

I really prefer extractors. In fact, I had the ejectors disabled on my Browning O/U after I bought it.

Picking up hulls gets old fast.

 

[ArmedBear]

I guess I could disconnect the ejectors but then you have to pry them out of the chambers.

???

All break-action shotguns have cammed extractors. That's how you remove unfired shells.

The ejector is just an additional spring-loaded device that "cocks" when the shell in the chamber is fired, and fires when you open the gun and kicks out the empty hull. If you remove the spring, your gun will function just like an extractor-only gun.

 

[Hornet 6]

The Beretta SxS has selectable eject or extract, as does the Baikal/Spartan, and there other I'm sure.
The ejectors can be disabled on any gun if that is what you want.

Neil.

 

[Griff56]

How much of a project is it to remove the springs?
Or is this something that a smith should be doing?

 

[Hornet 6]

ByGriff56 How much of a project is it to remove the springs?
Or is this something that a smith should be doing?

Depends entirely on the gun you want to do it to.
Some have the springs in the forend, like Browning & Miroku, some like Beretta's are in the barrels.

Neil.

 

[Griff56]

That would be on my Browning (Miroku) 20 Ga S x S

 

[Hawk]

I prefer extractors but it seems anything I'd shoot clays with has ejectors. I once wrote Beretta on disabling the launchers on a 687 and they advised it was a one-way trip so I just left them.

It's not hard to cover the shells with one's hand when opening the action. If they still sail to the rear it's a dead give away the thing needs to be shot more - once it gets over the "new gun stiffness" it's much easier to catch the things.

 

[ArmedBear]

Incidentally...

I just got an old extractor SxS. Without the ejectors as a mechanical indicator, I sometimes don't open the gun all the way, so it isn't cocked when I want to fire it again.

 

[Griff56]

Well if anybody can screw up it would be me.
I know of a fellow that did the removal on his Browning but I have lost track of him. Maybe I will take it to a smith and have him do it for me.

I do appreciate you fellows taking the time to address this issue with me.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Lots of extractors in cowboy action shooting... ejectors not allowed.

 

[Milkmaster]

As mentioned before...The Spartan o/u has selectable settings for using either extractor or ejector. The ejector setting was throwing hulls about 8 feet behind me, and the spring strength made it more difficult to close the gun before shooting. I took 8 coils out of each of the springs and all was much bettter. I still them set for extractor, but closing is now much easier.

 

[mswestfall]

My gun has ejectors.

For Trap I would prefer that it had extractors. The problem is that I shoot it for everything as I feel that the gun fits the person. (Also, admittedly a money issue.)

I've given this a whole minute's worth of thought and can't think of a situation, other than Trap, where I would prefer extractors.

I think that ejectors are preferred most of the time. And as said before, ejectors will substitute as extractors.

 

[mp510]

They make a lot more sense to me and I hate to look for the spent shell in the tall grass when hunting. It is very easy to remove the spent shell and place it in your pocket and if you reload it is necessary. I also do not like to see old spent shells littering the farmers field. Not good advertising for the hunting and shooting community in my book.

It's a lot faster to reload with ejectors rather than extractors. If you need a follow up shot, which sometimes happens, it's nice to be able to have a chance to get that second shot off. Imagine how clumsy it could be trying to pull an empty wearing heavy winter gloves and what-not.

 

[Griff56]

Well I thank you fellows for your opinions. I guess I am out of step with the majority but that is normal. I have not hunted enough to be in a position where a reload on a S x S has ever been an issue. Since most of my experience with a scatter gun has been upland game, about all I am capable of getting off is two shots or three from a self primer. I guess it is just a sore point with me to see empty hulls littering the farmer's field but then again I am an old curmudgeon.

 

[ArmedBear]

I guess it is just a sore point with me to see empty hulls littering the farmer's field but then again I am an old curmudgeon.

I pick up my hulls. However, I will admit to looking for hulls when scouting. They can indicate where the game has been in the past.

As far as fast reloads, the type of game can make a difference. Our quail is up, out and gone so fast that I'd much rather have two chokes than three shots. My old semiauto sits in the gun safe. Pigeons and doves, though, can come in large numbers and stay aloft over the hunter. Fast reloads can mean more birds. I've gone flushing and sent a friend of mine about 10 doves at once from a little canyon.