The extractors don't seem to be all that strong on my gun. A shame really.
Gene,
Unlike a typical double that has a single piece doing either extraction or ejection, there are two different mechanisms that handle those tasks on your R model Darne. The extractor is a spring loaded plate that politely raises a shell you haven't fired out of the barrel, so you can grasp it, and remove it. The ejectors don't really eject in the traditional sense, they drag the spent shell out of the chamber and leave it loose in the open space between the breech and the chambers. You can keep the gun level, and grab it, or tip the gun either way and it will fall at your feet.
On either side of the breechblock itself are two ejector hooks, and it is not uncommon for them to have some gunk built up on them from years of use. It is simple work to pull them, if you have a decent set of screwdrivers, the screws go right into the side of the breechblock near the front. Remove the breech, remove a screw, remove the ejector hook itself, clean the parts, and the spot they came out of with a soft brush with some CLP, and put it all back together, with a little lube. Optional is a drop of nail polish on the threads when you put the screws back in, I typically don't, as I clean and examine them after every use, but, it isn't a bad idea. Then do the same to the other side. There is also a slot in the metalwork on the gun that the hooks ride in, clean the gunk out of that, too.
The plate on the end of the barrels that is spring loaded can be hosed down with the spray cleaner of choice, brushed with something on the order of a tooth brush, and blown dry with compressed air.
It would be unusual for a gun that has been cleaned like I described to have issues with extractors, or the Darne version of ejectors.
Best,
Ted
