Remington 541-S Extraction Problems

[centershot]

I have a pair of 541s, one a "S" and one a "T" model. The "S" model seems to have a very tight chamber. On certain brands of ammo, it will not extract the empty casing. The extractors just slip over the rim. It is also hard to get the bolt to battery on a cartridge. Seems as though it may be engaging the lands. I can not verify that because I can not chamber a round and then extract it without the extractors slipping over the rim. The difficult ones that I have found are Federal 711B, with the dimple and Browning 37 grain hollow point. I have no problems with the 541-T. Anyone else experience this?

 

[Tim s]

541’s don’t have tight chambers, more likely you have a badly fouled throat area.
Do a search and do a comprehensive cleaning job, it is usually lead and carbon.

 

[Ggmac]

I have a pair of 541s, one a "S" and one a "T" model. The "S" model seems to have a very tight chamber. On certain brands of ammo, it will not extract the empty casing. The extractors just slip over the rim. It is also hard to get the bolt to battery on a cartridge. Seems as though it may be engaging the lands. I can not verify that because I can not chamber a round and then extract it without the extractors slipping over the rim. The difficult ones that I have found are Federal 711B, with the dimple and Browning 37 grain hollow point. I have no problems with the 541-T. Anyone else experience this?

Has it been dry fired a lot ? Did someone remove the extractor ? There is a difference in the left and right side .
As stated already, clean , clean and Borescope the chamber if you can .
Sorry internet problems

 

[swd]

All of this ^^^ and it’s common for the extractors to get worn and need to be re shaped to hold on to rim rather than slip off.

 

[centershot]

Cleaned the chamber area. Very few rounds through it. Not dry fired.Do not know about the extractor removal, but the previous owner would not have done that. I think it is a tight head space issue.Shoots well!

 

[drover]

I have had factory 541S and 541T's with tight chambers, in every case they had problems similat to what the OP posted. Clean chambers help but some ammo does engage tightly enough that the case could not be extracted without firing the cartridge, even then some would not extract.
If you can get your hand on another extractor try replacing it, they are a very soft metal and prone to having extraction issues.
Caution - If you are prying out the empty brass be very careful because the receivers on the 541's is very soft and will easily indent at the fulcrum point. Yes - experience is a cruel teacher.

drover

 

[garandman]

My brand new Lilja barrel had extraction problems with one particular type of ammo. Fortunately it is not the ammo that shoots the best in the gun.

 

[centershot]

Use a cleaning rod to knock out the empties. Was thinking of replacing the extractors. Is the only spring the cir clip or is there also a col spring in the back? If I can find the parts!

 

[243winxb]

My 581 (same as yours?) Seems to have different shaped extractors. Not sure if from wear or orginial? I did buy the rifle new, not used.

The spring clip applies a lot of pressure to the extractors. I was supprised now hard it is to move both extractors.

My gun photo shows different shapes.

 

[243winxb]

Different shape, normal. https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/remington/rifles-rem/541

At least i learned something about my 581 today.

 

[drover]

The one with the 90 degree shape on it is the extractor, the other one (left side of bolt) is a tensioner - its purpose is to help guide and hold the cartridge against the bolt face during its travel from the magazine to the chamber, it also serves to hold the fired cartridge against the bolt face until it hits the ejector and is kicked out.

drover

 

[Ggmac]

My 581 (same as yours?) Seems to have different shaped extractors. Not sure if from wear or orginial? I did buy the rifle new, not used.

The spring clip applies a lot of pressure to the extractors. I was supprised now hard it is to move both extractors.

My gun photo shows different shapes. View attachment 1124545

View attachment 1124548

The left extractor , for lack of a better word , holds and pushes the case to the extractor with the hook .

 

[centershot]

Older thread, but I took my pair of 541's out today. The "T" is fine, no problems. The "S" has a tighter headspace and tighter chamber. Bolt closes hard when empty. Cleaned the chamber with a bronze brush. I was wondering if I put shorts in the gun, if I would have the same problem. Not to shoot, per se, but to see if it is hard to chamber. Winchester ammo is the worst. I have some old Federal 711b subsonic ammo. The lot that I bought had quite a few misfires. When that happens, have to use a cleaning rod to knock out the cartridge. Love the rifle. Has not had a lot of rounds through it. Has a Weaver K-8 scope on it. Quite clear, considering its age.

 

[Dryfly24]

I have the same rifles you do, a T and an S. The S definitely has a tighter chamber than the T. There are a lot of factory mass produced rounds I can’t chamber through it very well if at all.

 

[Ggmac]

My 581 (same as yours?) Seems to have different shaped extractors. Not sure if from wear or orginial? I did buy the rifle new, not used.

The spring clip applies a lot of pressure to the extractors. I was supprised now hard it is to move both extractors.

My gun photo shows different shapes. View attachment 1124545

View attachment 1124548

That the way it was made . The left one just pushes or holds the case in the bolt face and allows the case to be ejected to the right .