Replacement extractor/ejector question from a newbie

[nffred]

First post - found the place searching for some info -

I picked up a handi-rifle at a gunshow a few years back before they were chambering them in 30 Russian ( 7.62 X 39) and someone had custom made one in that caliber.  Love the little gun and it shoots great and I even took a deer with it one season  just to make it an "honest" hunting rifle.

Now the bad news - loaned it to a friend at the club who shot some steel cased ammo through it and I suspect that's why the extractor came back broken.  Since it was not a factory produced barrel I'm getting no help from them on a replacement part.

Anyone here with a source for a part that could be fitted or any suggestions?

Any help would be appreciated.

I've been a competition shooter, hunter, collector, reloader, repairman/tinkerer for over 35 years and while I wouldn't exactly claim the title of gunsmith I've done my own work for many years unless it involves serious machining needs, so I feel sure I can fix the gun if I can get access to the parts.

Thanks in advance - looks like a lot of rabbit holes here to explore for all kinds of good stuff . . . . 

[quickdtoo]

Welcome! H&R made Handis in 7.62x39 in 2005-2006, did you call and ask if they had an extractor for it? Is the extractor claw broken, or does it just fail to extract?  A 223 extractor could be cut down to work if the extractor claw is broken. If it's a 1st generation extractor, it may be the internal parts are broken too, they had a habit of failing, that's why there's a 2nd generation extractor, the difference is shown in the FAQs and Help sticky.

Tim

[nffred]

It's a custom barrel and I'm afraid the claw is broken.  Looks like the one that was used was cut down to fit so it may be a loss of temper as well as hard extraction using the steel cased junk ammo ( I don't buy that crap and wouldn't use it, but it never occurred to me that it would be a problem so I loaned him the rifle).  Never had a problem using my brass re-loads.

The last time I spoke to someone at H&R/NEF they wouldn't sell me the parts, but that's been over a year ago. Maybe I'll give them another call.  I know from dealing with other companies that sometimes it can just be the particular people you get on the phone.

[quickdtoo]

Extractors aren't listed as restricted on the parts list, so they should sell them to you, I ordered one last year along with springs and cams with no problems. As you said, dealing with Madison Customer Support can be an exercise in futility, you can call three times and get three different answers to the same question, just depends on who you talk to. 

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/documents/manuals/HR_NEF_HANDI_RIFLE_MANUAL.pdf

[quickdtoo]

I don't know if the original 7.62x39 was an extractor or an ejector, but if they only have the ejector for it,  extractors are longer than ejectors, but you can add a short spring between the extractor cam and ejector to make it work. Just an FYI, the reason H&R discontinued the 7.62 was because too many owners wanted to shoot cheap milsurp in them and got failures to fire due to the hard, recessed primers, then they complained to H&R. 

Tim

[nffred]

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll let you know if I have any luck.