Gloating over my Mossberg M44, but an ejection problem, too

[Rick the Librarian]

I bought a Mossberg M44 from CMP a couple of years ago. For some reason, I hadn't taken it to the range until today.

I was VERY impressed by the accuracy. At 50 feet, I had groups you could cover with a dime, and this with some very casual shooting. The sights are really something else!

One problem with the ejection: The empty case would not pop out - it would just "sit" - pulled out of the chamber, but not ejected. I would guess an ejector, but I noticed the last empty case (with no more in the magazine) would fly out, like it was supposed to.

Maybe the magazine?

RtL

[Andy/CA]

They're fun rifles aren't they!!

Don't think its the mag, that would be more of a feed issue vs. ejection issue.

http://www.cobs.com/lprgc/m44faq.htm
has a troubleshooting list towards the end...

HtH!

[Dan Shapiro]

Rick, pull the bolt and put a couple drops of oil on the ejector plungers on the sides of the bolt. Grab the extractor/ejectors and work the oil in. You can dissemble completely and do it - but if you do, do it inside one of those LARGE plastic food storage bangs. If the springs pop out - at least you'll know their "in the bag".

[Maury Krupp]

Rick, pull the bolt and put a couple drops of oil on the ejector plungers on the sides of the bolt. Grab the extractor/ejectors and work the oil in. You can dissemble completely and do it - but if you do, do it inside one of those LARGE plastic food storage bangs. If the springs pop out - at least you'll know their "in the bag".
I'll go through an entire case of gunscrubber/brake cleaner or maybe even buy an ultrasonic cleaner before I disassemble the extractors on my M44US again.

It damn near took three hands with six fingers on each to get the thing back together again.

Unscrew the bolt, body, and handle? Sure. Mess around with the extractors? Never again!

Maury

[Rick the Librarian]

If the extractors are that much trouble, I'll try some of the "intermediate" steps. If worse to worse, I can put up with it. The only wierd part is that when there are no cartridges in the magazine, the ejector works fine.

[emmagee1917]

Hummmm....could it be that the extractor is holding the spent round so loose that the next round pops up when the bolt clears the mag and knocks it loose ? When the mag is empty there is no next round to bump it loose.
Just a thought , Chris

[Dan Shapiro]

The 'ejector' is simply a metal finger that projects forward. It's located under the bolt. The extractors may be holding onto the spent cartridge too tightly. If you're not familiar, depresses the trigger as you pull the bolt to the rear. It will come out. Put some penetrating oil on the extractor slots. Now pull outwards on the extractors slightly to work the oil in. When I cleaned my M44 after first getting it, seems many years of grit and grime came out. Ultimately I just pulled the extractors and cleaned everything out. BIG pita - as Maury said.

[REB13]

Try holding light backward pressure on the magazine while ejecting a spent shell to see if it is the angle of the magazine in the rifle that is the problem. Upward pressure on the ejected shell may keep the ejector from freely ejecting the spent shell. This is caused by the angle of the guide that holds the magazine in place. They can get bent. If this does not help, look at the bolt when is passes the ejector to see if the ejector is making proper contact with the spent shell. I had one that would not eject like the way you explained. You can lightly file the extractor (to make the upper edge square) and gently bent the extractor so it will better contact the ejected shell. I am no expert but this worked for the M44 I have and I have not had any problem since. Hope this helps and good luck.

[dhuze]

I dont think the extractors would have enough strength to keep the shells in the bolt. If they did you wouldnt be able to pull the bolt all the way back. Is you ejector damaged? Here is a picture of the ejector.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p314/dhuze/DSC04870.jpg

[scott miller]

I had a similar problem. I think. I fixed it by filing the ejector.. The problem is that the ejector had become worn/flattned. The face of the ejector should angle forward, slightely. Be careful to not remove too much material. Scott