Miroku Browning & Winchester High Walls - Ejector versus Extractor

[texasmac]

I recently responded to an email from a Browning High Wall owner. One of his questions was, “Do you know if the ejector function can be disabled yet leaving a working extractor?”

If you’re the owner of one of the Miroku Browning or Winchester 1885 High Wall with an ejector and are also a reloader, you likely don’t enjoy hunting for ejected cases nor fixing bent cases. In that case you might be interested in my response, which essentially was:
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By removing the forearm and removing the automatic ejector parts and spring, the ejector can be disabled and the extractor will continue to function, but you may have to press the extractor down out of the way prior to inserting an unfired cartridge. Under normal ejector operation the spring loaded ejector system kicks the extractor completely back and holds it down after ejecting the case, which does not happen if the ejector system is disabled. Functioning only as an extractor, the extractor will push the case back for manual removal, but it likely will not fully rotate down and out of the way.
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When Browning introduced the 1885 Black Powder Cartridge Rifle (BPCR) model in 1996 in 40-65 and 45-70 calibers, they were only offered with an extractor, the same .45-70 extractor previously used with the ejector system. It normally had to be pressed down to load a new round. Later (for the 1997 and 1998 rifles) the extractor was redesigned to ensure that it rotated fully out of the way after extraction. Since then many of the 1996 rifle have been retrofitted with the new extractor design. Disassembly of the action is required to replace the extractor, which is fully discussed in my book on the Browning’s (www.texas-mac.com)

Regards,
Wayne

[doubs43]

Mac, I have two Winchester Hi-Wall rifles with the ejector system; a 38-55 & a 45-70. I set the face of the stop square to the case rim and rarely have a case jump the track, so to speak. When shooting over sticks, it's easy to place the hand over the action and contain the case.

For those who don't like the ejector system, your answer turning it into an extractor only seems easy enough to implement.

[texasmac]

doubs43'

Point well taken. I'm mostly a BPCR guy, therefore my Browning's and Winchester's only have extractors, with the exception of one Browning .45-70 with an ejector. When shooting it, most of the time the case stop works, but some do bounce around and out of the action. If hunting or especially bench shooting, I end up having to retrive them or find that I tend to step on a few. So I've disabled the ejector on that rifle.

By the way, the guy that asked me if the ejector could be disabled provided the following reason for the question: "I shoot mostly benchrest and am used to picking brass out of the chambers of my target rifles. I guess I just don’t like that “snap” at the final stage of extraction".

So if you fall into one of the above mentioned catagories the ejector is easy to disable.

Wayne

[Char-Gar]

I have a Browning Traditional Hunter and turn the case stop so it catches the case. So used, the fired case will keep it's front in the chamber and is easy to pluck out. Turn the case stop the other way and the ejector will throw the case free of the rifle. It is a good workable system and you have the best of both world.

[Gussy]

There is a third option.

I had 38-55 and didn't like the ejection, and didn't want to disable it due to the reasons T Mac stated.

Just replace the ejector spring with a very light one. It will eject, but very softly, and still function normally.
Gus

[texasmac]

Gussy,

Great comment and one of those Duh, why didn't I think of that? I'll offer your solution if I get additional questions on the subject. I may try it out in my Traditional Hunter. Thanks.

Wayne