Extractor (firearms)

It is typically aided by a protruding ejector in the receiver or the bolt, which provides an opposite counter-push that couples with the extractor pull to expel the casing entirely out of the gun.

In modern dropping block, break-action (e.g. double-barrel shotguns) and revolver firearms, the extractor is a protrusible piece with flanges on the barrel/cylinder side, which pushes rearwards on the casing's rim and slides it out of the chambers.

Most modern extractors are forceful enough to completely eject the casing from the gun (i.e. integrating the function of an ejector), but some require the user to manually remove spent cartridges.

In bolt-action, lever-action, pump-action, semi-automatic, and fully automatic firearms, the extractor typically works in conjunction with a separate ejector to remove completely a fired, empty cartridge case from the weapon.

As this system did not provide for easy clearance of misfires, it was not very successful, especially for self-defense handguns needing to be cleared quickly and reloaded in the event of a cartridge primer malfunction.