Most Ruger extractors are good for 7-8k rounds. The VQ extractors are usually good for 12-13k rounds. The best extractor I've used was a Power Custom. It was good for a bit over 20k before I had to replace it.

I haven't tried the Kidd or TK extractors, so I can't say how long they are good for.

The worst extractor I had was a VQ that broke after less than 2k rounds. I emailed Scott and he replaced it for free. He's been very generous in other ways too, so I have no problem ordering parts from Volquartsen.

 

I am guilty of fixing things that aren't broke. It's fun to upgrade, swap parts, etc. That's why I have a box of extra grips, a box of 10/22 stuff, a box of MK parts, a large box of AR stuff, etc. I think I paid for Scott Volquartsen's last vacation...

 

I don’t own a Mark IV, but have extra VQ extractors for my S&W Model 41’s and a Victory 22 just in case. I installed the VQ Pistol Competion kits in a pair of Ruger Mark III Target pistols and a new firing pin & extractor were part of the kit so I installed them. I also just put one in a recent 10/22 M1 Carbine addition along with the new firing pin as I was experiencing some FTF & FTE issues ... (but probably didn’t give that one a chance to break in). In all cases I can attest to the quality of VQ over the Ruger version.

 

Nothing wrong with upgrading parts, but I have a Mark II that I bought in 1994. Over tens of thousand rounds I have never had a extraction problem. Except for the grips it is just like it left the factory. I did have to send it back to the factory for repair. When new it would only lock back on empty about half the time with either magazine. I thought it would break in, but after a couple of months it got to where it would not lock back at all. Sent it back to Ruger, they repaired it, said they replaced the bolt, it has worked flawless since.

 

Do you have a habit of using the bolt stop as a bolt release? Ruger Mark pistols should always be “sling-shotted”, because using the bolt stop as a bolt release will eventually lead to the situation you described.

 

My MK IV has never had an extraction problem. I see no need to "fix" something that is doing it job correctly. My trigger worked but poorly as in sloppy and heavy and I fixed it with a Voquartson kit.

 

I tried the Tac-Sol, I like it in my mkII.

 

Or that was the quickest and easiest way for them to 'fix' your problem I doubt they have a bunch of highly skilled repair folks sitting at a bench trouble shooting or 'blueprinting' every rig that comes back.

 

Shot 500 rounds today with no issues. All the occasional extraction issues are gone. I also tried out the Volquartsen recoil rod kit. Finally able to run Aguila SV with the lightweight spring. Used to be a bolt action with oem spring.