45 Ejection Troubles

I’m running an older Clark with a frame mount. No issues whatsoever during slow fire, but during timed or rapid I will get a failure to eject or the brass is caught by the frame mount. Using Zero 185 SWCHP over 3.8 gr of bullseye and an 8# spring.  I’ve run loads from 3.8 to 4.2 with the same results. Any suggestions to look at to increase reliability?

my first thought is to change to at least a 11lbs recoil spring..8# is very light for a frame mount and 3.8BE and that bullet.. grip pressure is probably way different between slow and the short line.

I use that exact load in a Colt NMGC with a frame mount, but with a 10 lb. spring and without issues. 8 lbs. is too light as Jimmy G. Stated above. My 2 cents.

Wow, 8 pounds is an extremely light spring on even a slide mount, on a frame mount that is crazy. Get a new spring, you might pick up a new extractor while you're at it to see if it may be the culprit.

Bend/tune extractor to increase extractor tension on case rim. Clark's aren't real tight typically so I'd think 12# recoil spring for that load.
Jon

I really appreciate the help! I’m going to give a spring and extractor a shot.

I could run that same load in a Springfield RO frame mount with a 12 lb spring very reliably. I bought a Clark Heavy Slide with a "tuner" and have had my share of problems also. Does your have the tuner too? My Clark hadn't been shot in over 15 years and the best thing I did for it was giving it a bath. There was more hardened oil and "pucky" inside that gun, gave it a good lube job. I tuned a new extractor and put new extended ejector and 10 lb spring in and it will run 185s with 3.8 BE very well for a slide mount dot. They're a fun gun to shoot and some guys back here never heard of them before, quite a wad gun by Jim Clark Sr.
 I'm probably going to sell it this summer to fund a 9mm or 38 super project for next winter.
 Stan

I would suggest making sure that the extractor tunnel is clean too.  I was having problems with a Les Baer similar to what  you describe.  When I took the extractor out the amount of crud that was built up in the tunnel was causing extra tension on the extractor.  Once I cleaned it out the problems went away.

-- Scott

I had the same problem and I thought it was the ejector; KC looked at it and no, that wasn't it.  I've never changed out the mainspring.  He suggested I do that, and wha-la, no more problems.  Now, I will replace with a 20LB mainspring and 12LB recoil spring, every year, whether I need it or not.  I'm shooting a frame mounted Les Baer.