How difficult is this to install? Is it simply drop in or does it requiring fitting? Thanks.

Drop in; 30 seconds to remove the old one and 90 seconds to install the new.

It takes more time to read the instructions than to actually make the change.

Changing the extractor on a Model 70
If you pull the bolt out of the receiver and hold it in your hand with all five thumbs. Let the bolt handle face out to the right on a right-handed rifle with the bolt face sticking up in the air. Now, look straight down at the face of the bolt, and turn the extractor counterclockwise with your right thumb of your right hand 90 deg. Then, push the extractor forward, away from the bolt handle. The extractor will pop off of the end of the bolt. Continue to push it forward until it clears the extractor collar.
Getting it off is a little easier sometimes than getting it back on, but still no big trick.
First line the collar and extractor up in the same area on the bolt that you took it off. Grab the collar and squeeze it closed with your left hand full of thumbs. Slide the extractor onto the collar, and push it up until it stops at the bolt face. At this point you'll have to spring the extractor over the bolt face so that it will reside in it's original position after you rotated it around. Once the extractor is lined up with the radial groove that rotates around the bolt, just rotate the extractor back to it's original position, so that it is positioned over the top of the right bolt lug.
While the directions are a little long, the process is pretty quick, especially after you've seen it done once.

If anyone ever has any problems with this at all, they can feel free to call our toll-free number at 1-888-257-3006, and we'll answer any questions or concerns that they would have.

Thanks a lot. That really helps. I was afraid that it required some type of timing adjustment that I would be unable to do. Again thanks.

Worth way more then what they charge for them too!

Just don't tell them that

Mike

Nice. Definately going to get one. Oh wait, I have 2 M70's. Make that 2 extractors to order.

OK, what is the big benefit of a Williams extractor? I have a M-70 WSM that I am somewhat partial to, and I'm wondering. Thanks.

Any tips on adjusting the extractor? Bend the aft part in toward the bolt body to increase the purchase on the case rim and bend it away from the bolt body to allow more space between the extractor hook and the case rim. Correct? Do you even polish the remove any metal from the hook itself?

The Winchester factory part is MIM - metal injection molded, the Williams replacement is heat treated spring steel. The Williams part is certainly more robust but I truly don't know the breakage rate of the factory part.

I guess it is more a matter of the owner's perception of quality, kind of like Remington extractors. Some folks don't trust them worth a darn and others go whole life times with several rifles without any problems.

FWIW, I have replaced the extractors on all of my Winchesters with the Williams part. It is an easy and inexpensive upgrade and for sure doesn't lower the reliablity of the rifle.

On the question of adjusting, I'd suggest calling Williams at their number listed in my first post and asking them. Or start another thread and mention "triggerguard1" in the title, that is Matt Williams' handle here.

Bear in mind, Model 70 Classics made in the last two years of production already have Williams extractors, and also, most Custom Shop rifles also have a machined extractor.

The problem with the original extractor is not usually breakage. Instead, if for some reason it bends a little too much, it will stay that way. This is not a good thing, since to work correctly a "Mauser-type" extractor has to hug the bolt body tightly.

The Williams extractor fixes this problem cheaply and effectively. It is the extractor Winchester should have used.

Which serial nember range was made in the last two years?

Other than Custom Shop models, every Model 70 Classic I own from serial number range G259XXXX and on up has a machined extractor. Every Model 70 Classic I own from serial number G252XXXX and down has the MIM extractor. These are all stainless models, and this may be different for CM models, lefties, etc.

To ID a Williams extractor look on the underside for these markings:
Magnum Right-Hand= M-R
Standard Right-Hand= S-R
Magnum Left-Hand= M-L
Standard Left-Hand= S-L

For Winchester MIM extractors look on the nose for these markings:
None: standard calibers
Two lines: belted magnums
Three lines: Weatherby cartridges.

I got this information on the AR forum from Matt Williams and the engineer that desiged the Winchester Extractor when I was having some problems a while back. Winchester put a magnum extractor on the standard bolt on a 30.06 I bought.

JD

Useful info, at least on Williams extractors. The info on the MIM extractors is, yeah, well, maybe!

For grins, I dug out a few of my older stainless Classics, and looked at the nose on the extractors. These I believe to all have MIM extractors. Results as follows:

243 Win. - one hash mark
7mmWSM - two hash marks
7mmRM - no hash marks
7mmSTW - two hash marks
300 Weatherby - no hash marks

I can't explain it, just what is, is.

I have a SS M70 Classic, 300 WSM ss#G364###, 2 hash marks.

mudstud,
That doesn't suprise me, just when you think you have something figured out.....

Do they all extract OK?

All my M70's have Williams extractors now. No guessing on which one is right.

JD

Don't know nuthin' 'bout no hash marks.

But my factory extractors, two from stainless Custom shop rifles made in 2000 (one '06 and one .375 H&H) and one blued LT '06 from around 2004 all show a little indented circle with sort of a X in the middle of it, this is on the underside near the rear end.

The Williams ones all have the sizes and direction - Left or Right hand - stamped on them as noted above.

Hope this helps some.

Never had any problem with any of my MIM extractor equipped Classics extracting. I have every intention of eventually replacing them with Williams machined units, but up to now, have not seen a pressing reason to do so. OK, I recant that last statement, I really need to replace them soon! The only extractor problem I've ever had with a MIM extractor, is with the 7mmWSM, it won't single feed a round directly into the chamber. This I'm sure has not a thing to do with the fact that it is a MIM extractor, but probably because the rim on the WSM brass is just a tad larger in diameter, what is it? .002" larger, or so. This apparently can cause difficulties in single feeding rounds directly into the chamber with a Model 70 Classic. At any rate, my 7mmWSM won't do it, and all CRF Model 70's are supposed to be able to single feed.

It does in fact have everything to do with the MIM'd extractor.....They couldn't hold the tolerances necessary in the casting process, that was then later machined for the magnum extractors. They casted standard extractors and then machined them for magnums, locating off of innacurate surfaces, which resulted in angles, finishes, and true positions that were not accurate.

We machine our extractors in such a manner that every single critical dimension and surface is performed in a single setup. The claw and all of the features that make the extractor work as it should are machined in one setup, so we don't have tolerance stack up and it is as accurate as our machines are capable of.......typically, the relationships between critical dimensions do not vary more than .0002" from part to part.

Thanks, Matt, guess I need to place an order soon!

My sales pitch is getting better I guess.....(grin)

Thanks for everyone's advise. I recieved my Williams extractor this week. It is definately better machined than the factory original, and it was a simple drop in installation.

Brent

You do have a good pitch. Just ordered one.

Ordered a magnum this weekend as well...

BTT for a friend with a shiny new 375!

If you think triggerguard1's sales pitch is good wait till you try his customer service.

Rick: Got it....thanks!

Mine's a MIM; time for an order!

What is the value of not having to worry abut an extraction problem in the field? Definately worth the price IMO and easy to install. I too need to order one more.

Now I need Williams to offer me two more stainless long action 1 pc bottom metal assemblies...

Hey, not to hijack the thread or anything, but is FN using the Williams bottom-metal on the new Super Grade? It doesn't look as cheap as the one on the standard FN 70's.

mwarren: Cheap insurance, you bet!

We were making all the floorplates that they were in turn putting on their aluminum trigger guards being made by another vendor, but we are no longer doing that.

We only supply them with their stainless extractors, which is all they use for all of their rifles, regardless of the model.

Matt, any update on offering SS BM assemblies for 700's?