Advantage Arms extractor replacement - BoreBuddy

[ARFrog]

I recently saw an Email advertisement from BoreBuddy.com for an "improved" extractor for Advantage Arms conversion slides. Having had good results with other components from this company, I decided to order a new extractor to try and help with an AA conversion unit that I have recurring FTE issues with even after polishing its internals.

Upon receipt of the extractor, I did not see any discussion elsewhere about removal and/or installation of an extractor for the Advantage Arms conversion slides. So, I thought I would post something to fill this gap. (Note: I am not a gunsmith. Please use appropriate safety measures and consult professionals as needed.)

Steps to install the new extractor:

1.) parts/tools needed include:

? 3/32" roll pin punch
? Jeweler/gunsmith hammer
? Painters or masking tape
? Armorer's block or plastic ammo holder from something like a 50 round 9mm ammo box
? New Borebuddy extractor
? AA conversion slide with the spring, barrel and ejector slide removed


Borebuddy extractor in package 1 (1).jpg

1. Locate the small roll pin hole on the top of the slide behind the ejection port area. Given that the slide is made of soft aluminum metal, it is advisable to mask the slide to keep from marring it.

roll pin hole 1.jpg

masked slide.jpg


2. Put the masked slide on a block and use the punch and hammer to drive the roll pin down and out. (Keep aware of the direction the pin comes out to reverse it properly when reinstalling - top end now goes in first.)
3. Once the pin drops out, rotate the slide 90 degrees such that the side of the ejection opening is now orientated up.
4. With a finger behind the head of the extractor in the ejection port area, lift upward to remove the factory extractor. (Remember the direction of the extractor hook so you can put the new one back in with the same orientation.) You will also note a spring, which is not under tension, near the tail of the extractor and which will/should remain in place while replacing the extractor.

e spring 1.jpg

5. Slip the new Borebuddy extractor into place.
6. Line up the hole in the extractor with the roll pin hole in the slide. Reinsert the roll pin in the bottom of the slide and drive it in and up until flush on top and bottom.
7. With a finger on the head of the extractor, push outward to verify that it is seated on the spring and flexes appropriately. (Use can use a "yellow" #4 sheetrock anchor as a dummy cartridge to verify proper extraction.)


The Borebuddy extractor appears to be beefier than the factory original. It's width is 0.054" compared with the factory part width of 0.050". Borebuddy indicates that the extractor geometry is different as well.

Installation only takes a few minutes and is relatively simple and straightforward.



Next step...take it to the range to test out...

[stormvet]

Don’t have an AAC but nice strep by step how to. Have you noticed a difference in extraction/reliability.

[ARFrog]

Don?t have an AAC but nice strep by step how to. Have you noticed a difference in extraction/reliability.

Going to the range on Wednesday or Thursday. Will post observations after that time.

[k1dude]

Thanks. I've noticed extraction problems are common with the AA units. I'll be very interested if it solves your occasional extraction problems. If so, I'm going to grab a couple.

[Usmc0844spare]

Thanks. I've noticed extraction problems are common with the AA units. I'll be very interested if it solves your occasional extraction problems. If so, I'm going to grab a couple.

Only problem I ever had with mine is failure to go back into battery when my son shoots; he is limp-writing a bit. Otherwise it functions very nicely.

Resolved that issue with a lighter striker spring.

No polishing or anything else done to the kit otherwise.

[ARFrog]

From looking across several different forums over several years, I think that these conversion slides are a "your mileage may vary" product. When they work, they are great but when they don't one goes down the rabbit hole trying:

- different ammo
- polishing
- new extractors
- new springs
- magazine adjustments
- etc.

For me, my slide had certain ammo that it preferred but this was not a final solution. Polishing, including doing the chamber, cut my failure rate by 20- 30% but was not a final solution. So, I am still trying to find that one tweak that allows me to reliably get through shooting a ten round mag without having a FTE with the round in the chamber not ejecting and the next round in the mag stacking up behind the FTE round.

I am envious of those who have no issues but am resolved to hang in there and solve this.

[Usmc0844spare]

From looking across several different forums over several years, I think that these conversion slides are a "your mileage may vary" product. When they work, they are great but when they don't one goes down the rabbit hole trying:

- different ammo
- polishing
- new extractors
- new springs
- magazine adjustments
- etc.

For me, my slide had certain ammo that it preferred but this was not a final solution. Polishing, including doing the chamber, cut my failure rate by 20- 30% but was not a final solution. So, I am still trying to find that one tweak that allows me to reliably get through shooting a ten round mag without having a FTE with the round in the chamber not ejecting and the next round in the mag stacking up behind the FTE round.

I am envious of those who have no issues but am resolved to hang in there and solve this.

You referenced magazine adjustments so I assume you checked the magazine fed lips being too tall?

I hear more good things from recent purchasers than from past purchasers. Maybe they sorted some stuff out more recently?

[ARFrog]

You referenced magazine adjustments so I assume you checked the magazine fed lips being too tall?

I hear more good things from recent purchasers than from past purchasers. Maybe they sorted some stuff out more recently?

I am aware of past magazine issues. I have newer magazines, so I did not start there. I also try to not change several things at the same time to avoid overlapping results/complications. If the extractor does not do the job, next on my list is to polish the chamber some more followed by playing with the magazines.

[dapster]

BoreBuddy Extractor Experience

Going to the range on Wednesday or Thursday. Will post observations after that time.

Curious about your experience with the BoreBuddy extractor regarding, especially, elimination of light strikes.

[ARFrog]

Took it to the range using only Blazer 40 gr round nose with the following results:

3 FTE in 108 rounds using 4 magazines. At this point an initial fail rate of 2-3 percent is not bad.

4 or 5 FTE in the next 50 rounds using one different magazine.

So, not bad initially but inconclusive until I try more rounds and different brands of ammo. I also need to evaluate the if there is a "dirty" tipping point or if the issue with the one mag caused the later FTEs.

I will report back again in another week or so.


Note for dapster - I have never had light strikes just FTE.

[dapster]

Note for dapster - I have never had light strikes just FTE.

The following may be of interest. I have three AA conversion kits for Glocks, one each for a subcompact G26, compact G19 and full size G21SF. The only one of the three that seemed to function well was the full size. The compact made an excessive number of light strikes while the subcompact very much too often would not feed a new round resulting in dry firing.

I installed a BoreBuddy extractor in the compact after which this past week it fired flawlessly, no light stikes. Although the issue was different for the subcompact, I installed another BoreBuddy extractor this morning followed by a range visit. Again, the subcompact fired flawlessly this morning, no failures to feed.

I'm aware the foregoing reads like a commercial for BoreBuddy. Such is not my intention. It is, rather, a dig at Advantage Arms which has washed its hands of responding to complaints.

I was displeased that BoreBuddy did not respond to my inquiry regarding the installation of their extractor and that each extractor came with a link to non-existent installation instructions. It turned out, fortunately, that removal of the AA extractor was simple as was the installation of its replacement. The only point worth mentioning is that to push the replacement extractor into position, the firing pin safety must be depressed.

Bottom line: Thanks to ARFrog for this thread in which he made me aware of a possible fix.

[ARFrog]

Hey Dapster - glad your extraction issues and light strikes have been resolved!

I went to the range today with my Glock 19 conversion and had no FTEs where I had to use a knife to remove any fired cases. My actual results were:

50 rounds of Blazer 40 gr - three double ups and/or stove pipes

40 rounds of Federal 36 gr HP - 4 double ups and/or stove pipes

All of these "issues" happened with two of three mags. One mag can shoot anything while the other two are where the problems seem to be happening.

So, I am going to take a look and measure the tops of the mag feed lips and if necessary see if there might be observable differences.

Overall, I am down to about a 6% failure/problem rate (from a starting rate of 30 - 40%) and am still working on it. As stated, I am happy to be having the fired cases ejecting consistently without the use of cutlery.

[dapster]

Please try the Advantage Arms recommended 40 grain MiniMags

[ARFrog]

I will try them again. I tried them before the extractor change and they had a higher failure rate than Blazer.