On the last update on the Steyr I reported how the extraction had been rather random, and said I would email Steyr about the newer upgraded extractor. Wednesday the 6th I emailed them, and Monday the 11th I had this in the mail. Talk about good customer service!
It only took them 3 business days to send me the new generation Extractor, Extractor Pin, and a sticker. Hell, who doesn't like stickers? Best part, is there was no charge! Definitely something I have not experienced much in the industry. So without further adieu, let's take a look at the new Extractor and Extractor Pin!
 Old Extractor and Extractor Pin on left, new on right |  Old on left, New on right |
 Old left, New right |  Old left, New right. Notice the bump on the new extractor to function as a loaded chamber indicator. |
Old extractor on the left, New extractor on the right. Take note of the depth of the claw of the extractor, this is the biggest change I can tell between the two extractors.
The replacement parts sent by Steyr are numbers 39 and 40 in the owners manual. 39 is the Extractor, and 40 being the Extractor Pin. The new Extractor Pin (40) has a slant at the end of it, whereas the old one was round. On the Extractor (39) I could only find three changes. The first and easiest to see is it is marked "9" (or "6" depending on how you have it oriented). The second change is the portion of the Extractor that faces outward has a bump on it, which acts as a loaded chamber indicator when a live round is in the chamber. This is more than likely due to the loaded chamber indicator present on my pistol being deleted on current models. The most subtle, and key change, is in the Extractor Claw itself. The old style Extractor Claw is machined much deeper than the new style. The new style Extractor Claw is much more shallow than the old.
Before I replaced the Extractor and Extractor Pin I slid a loaded round behind the Extractor and onto the Breechface where it is oriented when the pistol is loading. Below you can see how the round is not very positively controlled while in position. This could be the reason for the erratic ejection.
Before I replaced the Extractor and Extractor Pin I slid a loaded round behind the Extractor and onto the Breechface where it is oriented when the pistol is loading. Below you can see how the round is not very positively controlled while in position. This could be the reason for the erratic ejection.
Note how the round is not held completely against the Breechface.
Changing the Extractor and Extractor Pin
I could not find much information online on how to go about and change the extractor. This was not much of a challenge to me though. Originating from Elko County Nevada I have found that given tools, bailing wire, and duct tape I can either fix it, make it better, or get it pregnant. Upon analyzing my pistol I found that I could not get it pregnant. I shook off the dismay of not being able to father a child with the Steyr M9, and was again let down by finding nowhere that I could use bailing wire or duct tape. This meant I had to use tools to fix it.
Based upon looking at the new extractor, and how the old one was in the pistol, I figured it out how to change the Extractor and Extractor Pin rather quickly. Since there is not much information out there on these pistols, I decided to make a video showing how it is done.
Based upon looking at the new extractor, and how the old one was in the pistol, I figured it out how to change the Extractor and Extractor Pin rather quickly. Since there is not much information out there on these pistols, I decided to make a video showing how it is done.
Easy peasy right? I found this to be a very quick swap, with it taking only about 45 seconds to do so off camera. Since I am from Elko County, it is hard for me to explain things, run a camera, and work with my hands at the same time, hence the longer video. Now here is a shot of the cartridge orientation to the Breechface with the new extractor installed. This looks much more promising, but we will see how it functions on Wednesday when I test it out.
Note how the rim of the cartridge is now held tight against the breechface.
My theory as to why this Extractor works better would be that with a shallower groove in the Extractor Claw there is less room for the rim of the cartridge to slip, and the Extractor Pin allows for a greater camming action against the new Extractor, holding the rim closer to the Breechface.
Wednesday after I shoot this I will give an update as to how the pistol functions with this new setup. Until then I will switch back to my STI for daily carry until this proves to function reliably.
Special thanks to the employees of Steyr USA (http://www.steyrarms.com/) for providing me with the new parts in such a quick fashion. Definitely a good customer service experience in the firearms industry (something I have found to be rare now). Now, if only AUG A3's start becoming more available and drop down to a pre panic price.....
EZ
Wednesday after I shoot this I will give an update as to how the pistol functions with this new setup. Until then I will switch back to my STI for daily carry until this proves to function reliably.
Special thanks to the employees of Steyr USA (http://www.steyrarms.com/) for providing me with the new parts in such a quick fashion. Definitely a good customer service experience in the firearms industry (something I have found to be rare now). Now, if only AUG A3's start becoming more available and drop down to a pre panic price.....
EZ
