Savage 340C Extractor

[woodchukhntr]

I recently picked up a 340C in .222 Remington.  Does anybody know how to get that tiny little extractor on a work?  If not, will a bolt from another model fit?

I also have an early 340 in .30-30 which I bought for $170 last fall.  It was made prior to having the receiver factory-drilled for a scope mount.  After I got it home, I found that I had the peep sight for it (I always wondered what it was for)!  It came with a Dockendorf rear sight.

[LaOtto222]

DO NOT SWITCH BOLTS!!! Head spacing is unique from one gun to the next. It is critical that the head spacing is correct. You could purchase head space gages and try a different bolt. If the new bolt fits the gages then you would be OK. Do not be surprised if they do not. I have never seen a 340 up close, so I can not help you with your extractor problem. I can relate a story...My dad had a old Springfield where the extractor did not work. It was a spring type that ran the length of the bolt. It was pinned at the bolt handle end and lay in a groove down the bolt. About have way down, the groove was "peened" to hold it into place so the end would spring over the cartridge rim. The peen was wore out and let the extractor flop over the rim instead of pulling it out. I just repeened the original place and every thing was fine. Do not know if you have the same type or not.

[woodchukhntr]

No, that would be too simple.  This one has a brass extractor about 1/8" dia. x 1/8" long that fits thru a hole in the bolt side.  A short spring that is held by a pin holds it in place.  This is probably the weakest extractor that I have ever seen.  It barely contacts the rim.  I can see why they never used it again.

[LaOtto222]

It sounds like it is worn out or the spring is weak. Some thoughts...A Brass replacement should not be hard to make. Purchase a brass rod of the correct diameter and file the slot or notch  with a small ramp on the end to match the original one (allow for the worn end). If it is stepped, you can chuck it up in a drill press and file down or sand down to the diameter needed. It does not have to be within .0001, just close. Use a micrometer or dial caliper to measure with. Then cut it a little too long. Keep shortening it (with a file) until it slips over the cartridge rim when the bolt is closed. You can get an idea by putting it together and eyeballing it first. The other thing would be to replace the spring. You can go to a hardware store and buy all kinds of springs, get one close to the original and try that. I have even used ball point pen springs if they were of the correct size. If all else fails I have shimmed the spring. Put a washer or something of that nature behind the spring to give it a little more push. I have even used copper tubing for a shim. If I have the wrong picture here or you have more questions, let me know. I have made lots of parts using a hacksaw, file, and a drill press. Sure would like to have a good lathe and vertical mill. Good luck    

[alsaqr]

That brass extractor is not the original.  Someone made it.  Have had a couple of those guns in .223 and none had an extractor made of brass.  The extractors on mine worked well and i never had any trouble with them.   You need parts 325c-541 and 325c-542.

Got to:   http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

[OLDHandgunner]

woodchukhntr:
I have a Savage 340 in 222. Have had it for about 40 years. My uncle worked for Savage Arms back then and he brought me alot of spare parts for the gun. Have never had to use any of them. I believe I have a couple of these extractors. I'd have to find them. Let me know if you can't find them at a parts warehouse. I'll be glad to send you one.

[LaOtto222]

woodchukhntr - I did not give it a lot of thought, but a brass extractor, now that I think about it, it does not sound right...too soft. alsaqr as given you some very good information and OLDhandgunner has even wanted to help with parts if needed...that is why this site is so great, because of guys like this It sounds like your problem is solved.

[woodchukhntr]

It really is a brass extractor.  Somewhere, perhaps at Wisner's, I saw a description of the extractors and it was described as a brass extractor.  I bought one from Gun Parts, it didn't work any better than the first one. The spring is not a coil spring, it is a "L" shaped flat spring.  Oldhandgunner, thanks for the offer, I'll e-mail you.  I really want to start using this gun without having to carry a piece of cleaning rod around for removing fired cases.  You guys are great!

[LaOtto222]

I looked on the parts site and copied and pasted the description

.222/.223 Caliber, Insert Style Retained By a Flat Spring. Brass-Colored Steel.
Model:  SAVAGE 340 LATE MODEL, 340 EARLY MODEL, 342
Item No. 327790A
Retail Price: $8.95    Add to Basket:

I am not sure that the extractor is brass colored or the spring is brass colored.

At any rate, looking up the parts, there was a large variety of extractors and springs made for the Savage 340. Makes me wonder why they changed it so much over the years. To save money, manufacturing techniques or problems?

[woodchukhntr]

The extractors for the rimmed rounds are pretty simple since there is a large rim to bite on.  I think that they played with different extractors for the rimless cartridges as prototypes for the 110 model extraction system.