Ejector Modification.

[Jon Hancock]

Maybe a dumb question here but need to ask. Are there any gun smiths out there that can turn a extractor into a ejector without doing irreversible damage to the gun? Turn a DH into a DHE for example? I know some collectors are cringing right now but I would like to do this on a true hunting gun if possible.

[Greg Baehman]

I believe Larry DelGrego & Son have done ths conversion previously.
http://www.parkershotgunrepair.com/

[Dean Romig]

I would say such a conversion would involve irreversible alteration to the frame and forend rather than "irreversible damage."

The cost may prove to be prohibitive though.
Why not just find a DHE that you like?





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[Brian Dudley]

Yes,
Converting to an ejector gun requires extensive modificstion. Namely machining of the frame for the ejector trigger pins.
Also, modification to the barrels and extractor is required.

You can ask Delgrego about it, but i do not think they do this kind of work today. I know that years back Lefever did it often, and Delgrego farmed some of their heavy gunsmithing work (like this) to them.

[Dean Romig]

I wonder how many original Parker Bros. frame jigs are in private hands. There couldn't have been more than a dozen or so ever made. Maybe one or two for each frame size? I've only ever seen one to examine... I wonder who has them now.





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[Jon Hancock]

I'm at a point of frustration because all I seem to be finding lately are extractor guns. I have a chance to grab a near mint DH for $2800 so in turn I might convert my other DH into a DHE. Just thinking out loud here.

[Dean Romig]

They are out there... be patient.





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[John Campbell]

Mr Hancock:
You are free to do what you like of course. And the purchase of an ejector gun is most likely the most cost effective way to go.

However, the rationale for ejectors in today's world is very hard to justify. Do you really need to reload a double gun that fast under any circumstance? Do you care about hurling spent plastic hulls across the landscape? Or... do you simply want ejectors for the perceived prestige of ejectors?

After decades if shooting, I've personally come to regard them as a nuisance. At the very least.

And yes. I own a number of guns with ejectors...

[Hal Sheets]

Unless your gunning driven birds, stick with the DH. It saves bending over to pick up any empties, even if you like catching them from the kickers. As Dean says, if you really want a DHE to hunt with, one will show up. Save any DH (orG orV,etc.), for those that like to hunt w/them. But then, just MHO.

[Dean Romig]

I find ejectors beneficial only in shooting clays and in cold weather hunting with gloves on.





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[Brian Dudley]

I'm at a point of frustration because all I seem to be finding lately are extractor guns. I have a chance to grab a near mint DH for $2800 so in turn I might convert my other DH into a DHE. Just thinking out loud here.



And for likely $500 more you can get an ejector gun. As dean said, they are out there.

The cost to convert a gun would be 4 times that, or more. If you can find someone to do it.

[Bill Murphy]

Del Grego's shop has done this conversion. It requires machine work on the action as well as a complete replacement forend. As early as 1972, Larry Sr. expressed apprehension about the conversion. I asked him to do a 28 gauge in 1972 and he did not want to do it. My 28 is still an extractor gun.

[Jon Hancock]

Good stuff guys. I have always been a wing shooter but have a real bad habit of catching my hulls as they pop from the ejectors (bad sporting clay habits). Also, as I hunt quail solo with my German short hair, chasing blue quail on foot while reloading was my concern. You guys have answered the question. I have a nice DHE (70% case color) and cringe when I think about the way I hold it with gloves on. I don't shoot my well worn GH because it doesn't have ejectors. Time for me to break bad habits it sounds like.

[Dean Romig]

Gloves make it really difficult to remove the spent shells from an extractor gun.





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[Bill Murphy]

Jon, why is catching your hulls as they are ejected a bad habit? That is the way it is supposed to be done.

[Jon Hancock]

Bad habit while shooting an extractor

[Bill Murphy]

Your hand is right where it belongs. No problem.

[edgarspencer]

Bad habit while shooting an extractor

I must be missing something.

[wayne goerres]

If you have a chance to buy a near mint DH for that price you should buy it and resell it. the money you make will pay the difference for the DHE that you would like to have.

[George Stanton]

I've only "needed" ejectors in a good dove field. Other than that they seem totally unnecessary. I have removed them from my clays gun since I reload and the ejectors would get out of time every 5 years or so and need work. I have them handy and can install them in about 10 minutes if I need them.

Hint-Cut the trigger finger tip off of your shooting glove. Better trigger control and it makes picking out an empty fast and easy.

[Brian Dudley]

The thumb too.

[Dave Noreen]

When it is so cold I'd need a glove on my right hand, I'm in the club house drinking coffee!!

[John Dallas]

Fingerless fleece fishing gloves can help

[edgarspencer]

Reading Foster's chapter on grouse guns this morning, I found it ironic that he was slightly to the plus side of neutral on the subject of ejectors, but also spoke of the phenomenon I am all too familiar with; that of returning home to only need to clean the right barrel.
In the thick covers of northern New England, firing a second shot in quick succession to the first is rarely at a second bird, and not a frequent second shot at the same bird.
I would never deny the absolute joy carrying a nice side by side brings me, and cannot ever see myself wandering those woods with my favorite model 12. I usually grumble something nasty when I hear the distant 3,4 and occasional 5 round volley of some yAhoo unloading his autowhatever.
When I do break my favorite grouse gun, I am usually reflecting on the beautiful flush I either hit or missed, and do not ever recall a sense of urgent reloading. It could be that I'm getting older and just enjoying these walks more and more.

[John Campbell]

... I usually grumble something nasty when I hear the distant 3,4 and occasional 5 round volley of some yAhoo unloading his autowhatever.
When I do break my favorite grouse gun, I am usually reflecting on the beautiful flush I either hit or missed, and do not ever recall a sense of urgent reloading. It could be that I'm getting older and just enjoying these walks more and more.


Well said Mr. Spencer. Hunting for sustenance is no longer necessary for most of us. The true objective is what you point out: Reflection, beauty and peace.

Not volume of fire.

Or loading down the game bag...

[Jon Hancock]

My wife expects that when I spend time away from her and the two year old, I bring home a full game bag (haha). We put quail on our table many nights during quail season. However, I would always sacrifice a full game bag vs ever shooting an autowhatever. Right barrel always dirty over here.

[Paweł Janusz]

yes, me