Patent Publication Number: US-2005115127-A1

Title: Extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patent application No. Ser. 10/367,682, filed Feb. 19, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to an improvement in a semi-automatic handgun and, more particularly, the present invention relates to an extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun.  
      A semi-automatic handgun is designed to fire a round of ammunition. Each semi-automatic handgun operates in a firing cycle during which the round of ammunition is moved from a storage location, such as a magazine, to a chamber in the handgun. The round of ammunition is then fired and the spent ammunition casing, or shell, is extracted from the chamber and ejected from the handgun so that a new round may be loaded for firing.  
      Typically, each semi-automatic handgun includes a slide that governs the movement of the ammunition round during the firing cycle. The slide moves between a rearward position and a forward position on the handgun. As the slide moves from the rearward position to the forward position, the slide extracts a round of ammunition from the storage location and moves the round into the chamber and into position for firing.  
      Each round of ammunition typically includes a casing, an explosive charge, and a projectile. The casing houses the explosive charge and the projectile. The round is fired when a mechanical force, such as from a firing pin or a striker, is delivered to the casing. The force ignites the explosive charge, which then acts on the projectile to propel the projectile down the barrel.  
      To remove a spent casing from the chamber and eject the spent casing from the handgun, each handgun typically includes an extractor and an ejector. The extractor may be mounted in the slide and adapted to engage a rim, or lip, on the casing of the ammunition round as the ammunition round moved from the storage location to the chamber. The extractor remains in contact with the casing rim as the ammunition round is positioned in the chamber and the round is fired.  
      After the round is discharged, the force of the discharge causes the slide and extractor to move towards the rearward position. As the slide retracts, the extractor remains engaged with the rim of the casing so that the casing moves with the slide. Eventually, the spent casing comes into contact with the ejector, which may be mounted on the frame. The resulting force on the casing causes the casing to disengage from the extractor and exit the handgun through an ejection port in the slide. The slide continues moving rearward until it reaches its rearward position. The slide then returns to its forward position, loading another round of ammunition into the chamber in the process.  
      A jam or misfeed situation may occur when the handgun experiences a problem in the firing cycle. This type of situation may arise when, for example, the round of ammunition is not properly fed into the chamber or when the spent casing is not properly extracted from the chamber and ejected from the handgun. In either of these circumstances, the firing cycle is interrupted and the user must manually resolve the problem, either by extracting the spent casing or by helping to guide the round of ammunition into the chamber.  
      In some semi-automatic handguns, a known cause of a jam is a dysfunctional extractor. Typically, the extractor is made of a resilient, or spring-like, material and is placed in an extractor opening that is drilled in the slide. The extractor opening extends from the rear end of the slide to the breech face. The extractor opening is designed to place the extractor into a position where the extractor will engage the rim of the ammunition round as the round is moved from the storage location to the chamber. The elasticity of the extractor biases the extractor towards the ammunition round to maintain the engagement of the extractor with the round and ensure that the round is properly extracted upon discharge. However, if the handgun has experienced heavy use, or if the extractor opening is made slightly out of tolerance, the extractor may not always maintain engagement with the rim of the ammunition round. Either circumstance may result in the ammunition round not being removed from the chamber or in the round not being ejected from the slide.  
      In light of the foregoing there is a need for an improved extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun that will reduce the likelihood of a jam or misfeed situation during the firing cycle of the handgun.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved semi-automatic handgun that obviates one or more of the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art semi-automatic handguns. The advantages and purposes of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages and purposes of the invention will be realized and attained by the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
      To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention is directed to an extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun having a slide with an opening. The extractor assembly includes a first member configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide. The slide encloses the first member. A second member has a portion configured to engage a round of ammunition. A joint connects the first member with the second member and is configured to allow the second member to pivot relative to the first member to thereby engage the round of ammunition.  
      According to another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of assembling an extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun having a slide. A first member is configured to be disposed in an opening of a slide such that the slide encloses the first member. A second member having a portion configured to engage a round of ammunition is operatively engaged with the first member such that the second member may pivot relative to the first member. The first and second members are disposed in the opening of the slide.  
      In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of extracting a round of ammunition from a semi-automatic handgun. A round of ammunition is loaded into a chamber of the semi-automatic handgun. An extractor assembly disposed in an opening in a slide and substantially enclosed by the slide engages the round of ammunition. The extractor assembly includes a first member and a second member that is configured to pivot relative to the first member to allow a portion of the second member to engage the round of ammunition. The second member is biased with a spring such that the portion engages the round of ammunition.  
      In still another aspect, the invention is directed to an extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun having a slide with an opening. A first member is configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide such that the slide encloses the first member. A second member having a portion configured to engage a round of ammunition is operatively engaged with the first member to allow the first member to pivot relative to the first member. A spring is configured to act on the second member to pivot the second member into engagement with the round of ammunition.  
      In another aspect, the invention is directed to a single piece extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun having a slide with an opening. An elongate extractor body is configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide such that the slide encloses the elongate extractor body. The elongate extractor body is resiliently biased in a direction toward a round of ammunition such that an end of the elongate extractor body engages the round of ammunition. The end of the extractor body is configured to engage the neck, or rebate, on the casing of an ammunition round.  
      It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
       FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a semi-automatic handgun according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a slide and an extractor assembly in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the slide in a rearward position;  
       FIG. 3  is a pictorial view of an extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the extractor assembly of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of a first member of an extractor assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a second member of an extractor assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a top pictorial view of an extractor in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged pictorial view of the engagement between the extractor of  FIG. 7  and a round of ammunition. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.  
      In accordance with the present invention, a semi-automatic handgun is provided. In the accompanying drawings and by way of example, a 1911A1 model handgun is illustrated and described. It should be noted, however, that the present invention may be applied to other models of semi-automatic handguns. The 1911A1 model handgun is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 984,519, which is hereby incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 984,519 discloses the overall structure and operation of the 1911A1 model handgun and its disclosure of the basic structural components and operation will not be repeated. The present invention may also be applied to handguns that include variations on the conventional 1911A1 model design, such as, for example, those handguns described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,283,006 and 6,415,702, which are hereby incorporated by reference. An exemplary 1911A1 model handgun is shown in  FIG. 1  and is designated generally by reference number  20 .  
      As best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , semi-automatic handgun  20  includes a frame  30 . Frame  30  includes a handle portion  36  that has an opening  34  configured to receive a magazine. In an embodiment of the present invention, the magazine is a high-capacity magazine. The structure and operation of the frame and high-capacity magazine are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,618, which is hereby incorporated by reference. While the present embodiment utilizes the high capacity magazine, it is contemplated that a standard magazine, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 984,519, could also be used.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , handgun  20  also includes a barrel  32 . Barrel  32  includes a chamber  36 . Chamber  36  is configured to receive a round of ammunition  40  from the magazine. Ammunition round  40  may include a casing  41  having a rim  42 . Ammunition round  40  may also include an explosive charge disposed in casing  41  and a projectile  43 .  
      In a 1911A1 model handgun, barrel  32  is connected to frame  30  through a pivoting link. Barrel  32  includes a projection (not shown) having an opening. A linking member (not shown) engages the opening and establishes the pivoting link with frame  30 .  
      Barrel  32  also includes a feed ramp  52 . Feed ramp  52  is positioned between the magazine and chamber  36 . Projectile  43  of ammunition round  40  may engage feed ramp  52  as ammunition round  40  is moved from the magazine to chamber  36 . In this manner, feed ramp  52  may guide ammunition round  40  into chamber  36 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , semi-automatic handgun  20  also includes a hammer  22 . Hammer  22  is pivotally mounted with respect to frame  30 . Hammer  22  is adapted to rotate between a rearward, or cocked position, and a forward, or rest position. A sear (not shown) may be mounted in frame  30  and configured to hold hammer  22  in the cocked position.  
      Semi-automatic handgun  20  may also include a mainspring (not shown) that is operatively connected to hammer  22 . A rotation of hammer  22  from the forward position towards the rearward position and into engagement with the sear may act to compress the mainspring. When the sear is disengaged to release hammer  22 , the mainspring acts on hammer  22  to rotate hammer  22  towards the forward position.  
      In accordance with the present invention, the semi-automatic handgun includes a slide that is mounted on the frame for reciprocating movement between a forward position and a rearward position. The slide includes a breech configured to receive a round of ammunition. The slide also includes an opening configured to receive an extractor assembly.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a slide  28  includes a front end  26  and a rear end  27 . Front end  26  includes a barrel opening  29  that is configured to receive barrel  32 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , front end  26  of slide  28  may also include a front connector  38 . Any of a variety of front sights may be attached to connector  38 . Similarly, rear end  27  of slide  28  includes a rear connector  44 , to which a rear sight may be attached.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , slide  28  is mounted on frame  30 . Slide  28  may include a pair of grooves (not shown) that are adapted to engage a pair of corresponding rails (not shown) on the top of frame  30 . The engagement of the grooves of slide  28  and the rails on frame  30  allow slide  28  to slide between a forward position (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) and a rearward position (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ).  
      Slide  28  also includes a breech  48 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , breech  48  includes a breech face  50  and an ejection port  46 . Breech face  50  is adapted to engage an ammunition round  40  held by magazine as slide  28  moves from the rearward position to the forward position. As slide  28  moves to the forward position, breech face  50  moves ammunition round  40  up feed ramp  52  and into chamber  36 . Ejection port  46  may be sized to allow a spent casing to be ejected therethrough.  
      Slide  28  further includes a first opening  54  and a second opening  56 . First opening  54  extends from the rear end  27  face of slide  30  to breech face  50 . Second opening  56  also extends from rear end  27  of slide  28  to breech face  50 . The size of second opening  56  may become narrower as second opening  56  approaches breech face  50 .  
      Second opening  56  is configured to receive a firing pin (not shown) and to position the firing pin between hammer  22  and ammunition round  40  housed in chamber  36 . When hammer  22  is released from the sear, the mainspring acts on hammer  22  to rotate hammer  22  into engagement with the firing pin. The force generated by the mainspring is transferred through the firing pin to ammunition round  40  to thereby discharge ammunition round  40 . Second opening  56  may be adapted to guide the firing pin through an opening in the breech face  50  and ensure that the firing pin contacts ammunition round  40  when struck by hammer  22 .  
      In accordance with the present invention, the semi-automatic handgun also includes an extractor assembly. The extractor assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first member is configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide. The second member includes a portion, such as, for example, a hook, configured to engage a round of ammunition and is operatively engaged with the first member to allow the second member to pivot relative to the first member. The portion configured to engage the ammunition round may take on alternative shapes. The extractor assembly may also include a spring that acts on the second member to pivot the second member into engagement with the rim of the round of ammunition.  
      An exemplary embodiment of an extractor assembly  60  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As shown, extractor assembly  60  includes a first member  62  and a second member  64 . Second member  64  may include a hook  82  and a groove  84 . Hook  82  and groove  84  may be adapted to engage a portion, such as for example, a rim  42 , of ammunition round  40 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the configuration of hook  82  and groove  84  may be modified to allow extractor assembly  60  to engage any particular type of ammunition. In addition, the configuration of hook  82  and groove  84  may be adapted to engage different portions of the round of ammunition.  
      A joint  70  connects first member  62  and second member  64 . Joint  70  allows second member  64  to pivot relative to first member  62 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , joint  70  includes a projection  72  on second member  64  that is engageable with an opening  80  in first member  62 . Preferably, projection  72  and opening  80  are adapted to allow projection  72  to move within opening  80  to thereby allow second member  64  to pivot relative to first member  62 . One skilled in the art will recognize that joint  70  may have any configuration that will allow second member  64  to pivot relative to first member  62 , such as, for example, a pin joint, a ball joint, or a hinge.  
      As shown in  FIG. 5 , opening  80  in first member  62  is defined by a curved surface  88  and a straight surface  91 . Curved surface  88  extends from a front edge  89  of the first member to straight surface  91 . Straight surface  91  extends substantially perpendicularly to outer surface  90  of first member  62 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , second member  64  also includes a curved surface  76  and a straight surface  77 . Curved surface  76  is configured to correspond to curved surface  88  of first member  62 . The radius of curvature of curved surface may increase as curved surface  76  extends away from straight surface  77 .  
      Projection  72  of first member  62  may be disposed in opening  80  of first member  62  to form joint  70 . In this position, curved surface  88  of first member  62  aligns with curved surface  76  of second member  64  and straight surface  91  of first member  62  aligns with straight surface  77  of second member  64 . Curved surfaces  76  and  88  may be configured to guide second member  64  through a pivoting movement relative to first member  62  (as shown by arrows  100  and  102  of  FIG. 3 ). Straight surfaces  77  and  91  engage and provide a contact surface when a force is exerted on extractor assembly  60  in the direction of arrow  104  (referring to  FIG. 3 ).  
      As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , first member  62  may also include a notch  86  disposed adjacent opening  80 . Preferably, notch  86  has a width substantially equivalent to the width of projection  72 . When projection  72  is engaged with notch  86  and opening  80 , the close tolerance between notch  86  and projection  72  prevents an undesired motion, such as, for example, a twisting movement, of second member  64  relative to first member.  
      First member  62  also includes an outer surface  90 . Outer surface  90  may be rounded and configured to fit within opening  54  of slide  28 . First member  62  may also include any other features necessary for the operation of the particular handgun. For example, first member  62  may include a groove  92  that is configured to receive a firing pin plunger.  
      Second member  64  also includes an outer surface  78 . Outer surface  78  of second member  64  may also be rounded and adapted to fit within opening  54  of slide  28 . A first end  65  of second member  64 , i.e. the end adjacent hook  82  and groove  84 , may be smaller than a second end  73  of second member  64 , i.e. the end adjacent projection  72 . The smaller size of first end  65  provides a clearance with opening  54  of slide  28  that allows second member  64  to pivot relative to first member  62  within opening  54  of slide  28 .  
      An end  75  of projection  72  may also be rounded. End  75  of projection  72  may be configured such that when projection  72  is disposed within opening  80  of first member  62 , end  75  substantially conforms to the shape of outer surface  90  of first member  62 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , end  75  may also include an angle, θ, that slopes away from opening  80  between curved surface  76  and a rear face  74 . This angle provides additional clearance between projection  72  and opening  54  in slide  28  to allow second member  64  to pivot relative to first member  62 .  
      As further shown in  FIG. 6 , rear face  74  may also be disposed at an angle, α. Angle, α, may provide additional clearance between projection  72  and first member  62 . This additional clearance allows second member  64  to pivot relative to first member  62 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 5 , first member  62  also includes a bore  94  that extends from notch  86 . Bore  94  is adapted to receive a spring  66  and a pin  68  (referring to  FIG. 4 ). Spring  66  may be disposed in bore  94  to act on pin  68  to bias pin  68  out of bore  94  and into engagement with rear face  74  of second member  64 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , frame  30  may also mount safety devices for the handgun  20 . These safety devices may include a manual, or “thumb” safety and a grip safety  24 . The manual safety may be manually moved between a safe position where the manual safety engages a notch in slide  28 . In the safe position, the manual safety prevents slide  28  from moving from the forward position to the rearward position.  
      As also shown in  FIG. 1 , grip safety  24  is disposed in handle portion  36  of frame  30 . A spring (not shown) biases grip safety  24  into a safe position where grip safety  24  engages a notch in hammer  22 . When grip safety  26  is engaged with the notch in hammer  22 , hammer  22  is prevented from moving relative to frame  30 . Grip safety  24  is typically disengaged from hammer  22  when a user grips the handgun  20  in a standard firing position. The user&#39;s grip overcomes the spring bias acting on grip safety  24 , and the grip safety pivots out of contact with hammer  22  to thereby allow hammer  22  to pivot relative to frame  30 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an additional embodiment of the extractor assembly is illustrated. The extractor of  FIG. 7  includes a single piece extractor  110  including an elongate extractor body  116 . The single piece extractor of  FIGS. 7-8  is made of a resilient, or spring-like, material. Exemplary materials for the single piece extractor include 8620 spring steel and 17-4PH stainless steel. The extractor  110  is placed in the extractor opening  54  within the slide  28  similar to the placement of the extractor assembly  60  of  FIG. 2 . The extractor  110  is designed to engage the rim of the case as the round is moved from the storage location to the chamber. The elasticity of the extractor  110  biases the extractor towards the round of ammunition  40  to maintain the engagement of the extractor  110  with the casing  41  and ensure that a spent casing  41  is properly extracted.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a round of ammunition  40  including a casing  41  having a rim  42  and a neck, or rebate  45 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , the elongate extractor body  116  extends from a first end  118  to a second end  120 . At the second end  120 , the single piece extractor  110  includes a portion, such as, for example, a hook, configured to engage the rim  42  of the casing  41 . The portion of extractor  110  configured to engage the rim may have alternative shapes.  
      As seen in the enlarged view of  FIG. 8 , the second end  120  of single piece extractor  110  may include a hook  112  and a groove  114 . Hook  112  and groove  114  may be adapted to engage a portion, such as for example, a rim  42 , of ammunition round  40 . The hook and groove may be further configured to substantially engage the entire rim  42  all the way to the rebate  45  of the casing  41 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the hook  112  is positioned forwardly of the rim  42  on the round of ammunition  40 . The hook  112  includes an engagement surface that is angled rearwardly with respect to the rim  42  in order to more substantially engage the casing  41 . The engagement surface of the hook  112  may be disposed at an angle β rearwardly with respect to the surface of the rim  42  on ammunition round  40 . In one exemplary embodiment, the angle β is about 3-5 degrees. The extractor configuration allows a second surface of the hook to contact and thereby engage the rebate  45  of ammunition round  40 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the configuration of hook  112  and groove  114  may be modified to allow the single piece extractor  110  to engage the rebate  45  of any particular type of ammunition.  
      The configuration of single piece extractor  110  allows for engagement of up to 100% of the length of rim  42  extending from the rebate  45 . Such engagement allows for more reliable extraction and ejection of casings  41  during the firing cycle of a semi-automatic handgun. The consistent extraction of spent casings  41  helps provide a safer and more reliable handgun.  
      The operation of the aforementioned device will now be described with reference to the attached drawings. A user may insert a magazine containing a number of rounds of ammunition into the opening in the grip of frame  30 . The user may then retract slide  28  to its rearward position and release slide  28 . As slide  28  returns to its forward position, breech face  50  engages ammunition round  40  in the magazine and moves the ammunition round  40  into breech  48  and towards chamber  36 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , when slide  28  moves ammunition round  40  from the magazine into breech  48 , hook  82  and groove  84  of extractor assembly  60  engage ammunition round  40 . Spring  66  acts through pin  68  to pivot second member  64  towards ammunition round  40  (in the direction of arrow  100  of  FIG. 3 ). Hook  82  may be adapted to engage the neck, or rebate, on the casing of ammunition round  40 .  
      The force of spring  66  acting through hook  82  may facilitate the movement of ammunition round  40  along feed ramp  52  and into chamber  36 . The engagement of hook  82  with the neck of ammunition round  40  may create less friction than a direct engagement of groove  84  with the outer edge of rim  42 . In addition, the force of spring  66  may prevent an undesired lateral motion of ammunition round  40 . In this manner the extractor assembly may act to positively control the feeding of a round of ammunition to chamber  36 , thereby reducing the likelihood of a misfeed situation.  
      The force of spring  66  and the pivoting motion of second member  64  allow extractor assembly  64  to fully engage rim  42  of ammunition round  40  even when the dimensions of successive ammunition rounds include variations in size or rim dimensions. The force of spring  66  continues to act on second member  64  to ensure hook  82  and groove  84  remain engaged with rim  42  of ammunition round  40  during the firing cycle of the handgun  20 . Thus, extractor assembly  60  relies on the force of spring  66 , instead of an inherent material elasticity in the extractor material, to ensure consistent extraction of spent casings.  
      In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7-8 , the single piece extractor  110  relies on the inherent material elasticity of the extractor material, while at the same time utilizing the increased engagement available from the configuration of hook  112  in order to provide reliable engagement and extraction of spent casings. The elasticity of the extractor material may provide for biasing the single piece extractor into engagement with the rim  42  and rebate  45  of a round of ammunition.  
      In certain circumstances, an ammunition round  40  may be “dropped” or loaded into chamber  36  before slide  28  moves to the forward position. In this situation, as slide  28  moves forward, rim  42  of ammunition round  40  will engage second member  64  and cause second member  64  to pivot outwardly (i.e. in the direction of arrow  102  of  FIG. 3 ) to move around rim  42 . The force of spring  66  will then act on second member  64  to pivot second member  64  such that hook  82  and groove  84  engage rim  42  of ammunition round  40 . Thus, extractor assembly  60  may engage a pre-loaded ammunition round, without unduly stressing and/or weakening the extractor.  
      After ammunition round  40  is positioned in chamber  36 , the user may discharge the handgun by pulling the trigger of handgun  20 . The trigger pull disengages the sear from hammer  22 , thereby allowing the mainspring to rotate hammer  22  into contact with the firing pin. The firing pin transmits the force generated by the released mainspring to ammunition round  40 , thereby discharging ammunition round  40 .  
      In response to the discharge of ammunition round  40 , slide  28  recoils to its rearward position. As slide  28  recoils, extractor assembly  60  pulls the spent casing rearwardly from chamber  36 . Eventually, the casing will engage an ejector that is positioned on the opposite side of slide  28  from extractor assembly  60 . The contact between the spent casing and the ejector  90  causes the spent casing to pivot, or spin, relative to extractor assembly  60 . Second member  64  may pivot outwardly (i.e. in the direction of arrow  102  of  FIG. 3 ) to allow rim  42  of the spent casing  91  to disengage from hook  82  and notch  84  of extractor assembly  60 . The spent casing then ejects from handgun  20  through ejection port  46 .  
      After the spent casing has ejected from slide  28 , slide  28  continues to recoil to its rearward position. Slide  28  then returns to its forward position and moves another round of ammunition into chamber  36 . The firing process may then be repeated.  
      It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method of manufacture of the present invention and in construction of this extractor assembly without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.