Pistol Ejection Ports Explained Home / Pistol Anatomy / Ejection Port

Pistol Anatomy - Ejection Port

Image of Bryan Hill, Founder of Pistol Wizard Bryan Hill / December 18 2023

Ejection port on a Glock 19
If your pistol is jamming, you may want to check out the ejection port and extractor. Learn how a pistol extractor works, how to remove one, and how often to clean and maintain a pistol extractor to keep your gun from jamming.

How a Pistol Extractor Works

When you fire a loaded pistol, the casingcomes out the ejection port.
Next to the ejection port is the extractor, a spring-loaded piece that strips the casing out the pistol. If it doesn't work right, your gun will jam.

What Makes a Good Ejection Port?

  • Reliability. Casings from the same ammo type should eject the same way every time. They should eject out 6-8 ft from you.
  • Easy to clean. If your pistol starts ejecting differently after a few thousand rounds, it's time to clean the extractor. That should be quick and easy to do.
  • Good ejection path. The extractor should hurl brass away from you, not in your face. If you don't like the ejection path, change your ammo or get an aftermarket extractor.

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