[ithacaartist]

Although I can't quantify precisely how much the spring sticks up, it should protrude far enough up to interact with the slots cut for it in the locking bolt. Take out the locking bolt and check to see if the spring is broken or weak/bent. If the spring is deficient, removing the locking bolt should be really easy, which would be your first clue it is not up to spec.

The extractor situation sounds weird. Perhaps removing the upper and chambering a round by hand, without the spring pressure will yield a clue. Remove the firing pin first! Or, with the toggle train removed, tuck a round into place on the breech block and see whether or not the extractor rises that way. If the claw is completely broken from the extractor it would also behave that way.