How to Fix Savage 87 .22 Feeding Problems: Extractor Tune, Cartridge Guide Spring, Chamber Polish

In this episode of Over the Gunsmith’s Shoulder, Master Gunsmith Ken Brooks repairs a Savage 87 series .22 rifle (Ranger branded variant) that has feeding problems. Ken starts by demonstrating the symptom. The right extractor does not push the cartridge rim over into the left extractor, so the round is not controlled correctly on the breech face. From there he goes step by step through the real causes of Savage 87 feeding issues. If you work on older Savage 87, Ranger, or similar .22 semi auto rifles, this is a full walk through of how a professional gunsmith actually fixes feeding, extraction, and chamber related problems. Want to learn how to diagnose and fix rifles like the Savage 87 the way a professional shop does it? Go to the American Gunsmithing Institute (https://americangunsmithinginstitute....) to see full gunsmithing training programs that cover rimfire rifles, centerfire rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Subscribe for more full length repair sessions and real shop instruction. Chapters: 00:00 – Savage 87 Extractor Problem and Feeding Symptom Ken shows the bolt cycling, right extractor behavior, and how the case is not being driven into the left extractor. 02:38 – Savage 87 and Ranger 22 Rifle Overview and Feeding Complaint He explains the Savage 87 series, the Ranger branding, the unique trigger and cycling behavior, and why this particular rifle is in the shop for a feeding issue. 05:03 – Stock Removal and Savage 87 Feed Mechanism Layout The stock comes off, exposing the feed mechanism bolted to the bottom of the receiver, magazine tube path, carrier, and basic feed cycle. 09:41 – Cartridge Guide Spring Fit and Installation Ken fights the cartridge guide spring into place, explains the hoop, legs, and spring geometry, and shows how the guide controls cartridges entering the feed path. 13:40 – Left Extractor Hook Shaping and Rim Engagement He files and polishes the left extractor, moves the hook forward, rounds the tip, and checks how the rim gets underneath and is held on the breech face. 18:40 – Extractor Plunger Angle, Contact, and Travel Tuning Back at the bolt, Ken angles the extractor plunger, looks for rub marks, clamps the part, and corrects what is preventing full inward travel. 22:42 – Right Extractor Sharpening and Plunger Bevel Work The right extractor comes out. He breaks the bottom edge, sharpens key surfaces, uses the bevel on the plunger for tool leverage, and explains how to avoid slipping and cutting yourself. 30:42 – Bumper Function and Chamber Polishing on the Savage 87 Ken explains the bumper above the chamber, how it handles high feeding, then sets up the polishing mandrel, moves the bumper with a pick, and polishes the chamber while controlling grit. 35:52 – Reassembly, Magazine Tube Load, and Final Feeding Test He bolts the rifle back together, loads a few rounds in the magazine tube, cycles them carefully, checks trigger behavior so it does not follow down, and confirms the rifle now feeds properly before test firing at the range.