Anybody have an STI Steel Master that doesn't stovepipe ?

[Ross Carter]

Most of the time problems are with the extractor. Chamber an empty case and slowly pull the slide back so the barrel drops down and see how low the case sits on the breach face when the ejector actually hits it. Then check your extractor tension with the case in that position. It doesn't matter if the extractor is holding the case tight when the case is up higher than it is when ejection actually takes place. This is where it gets tricky because if you increase extractor tension too much you may cause feeding problems.

Also make sure the backside of the extractor is clearing the bevel on the extractor groove when the case is against the breach face. If not that bevel will tend to unload the extractor so remove material if you need to. Also make sure the barrel is not hitting the extractor, it's a lot more common than you would think.

WW white box is pretty good ammo but can be inconsistent in my experience. If you're having inconsistent ejection better ammo might help but you are better off fixing the problem than any band-aid approach IMO.

Edited February 20, 2013 by Ross Carter

[Flexmoney]

Most of the time problems are with the extractor. Chamber an empty case and slowly pull the slide back so the barrel drops down and see how low the case sits on the breach face when the ejector actually hits it. Then check your extractor tension with the case in that position. It doesn't matter if the extractor is holding the case tight when the case is up higher than it is when ejection actually takes place. This is where it gets tricky because if you increase extractor tension too much you may cause feeding problems.

Also make sure the backside of the extractor is clearing the bevel on the extractor groove when the case is against the breach face. If not that bevel will tend to unload the extractor so remove material if you need to. Also make sure the barrel is not hitting the extractor, it's a lot more common than you would think.

WW white box is pretty good ammo but can be inconsistent in my experience. If you're having inconsistent ejection better ammo might help but you are better off fixing the problem than any band-aid approach IMO.

Nice tips, Ross. Thanks for posting those.