Removing deep dent in a magazine tube

Trader Dan · December 28, 2016, 08:45:30 AM

The 1897 I got has a pretty deep dent in the magazine tube. I am not sure it will make a whole lot of differance as it is int he area the spring collapses into but I would like to remove it.

I have thought about applying some heat and using a socket, pounding it through. Start with a slightly smaller socket then progress until I use one that just fits the tube. The problem is that in order to remove the socket after it is past the dent is I will have to pound it out using the follower as the follower is on the wrong side of the dent and I fear I will screw up the follower and just make the situation worse.

Do they make a swage for this purpose? I know they make make barrel swage but it cost over $400.00 and I can buy a different mag tube for WAY less than that.

Suggestion, comments please.

Lucky R. K. · December 28, 2016, 09:47:31 AM

I have fixed dents in double barreled shotguns by making a swage. I would turn down a piece of mild steel to a diameter about the size as the narrowest point in the dent. I threaded one end and screwed a length of 3/8 inch rod into it. I then gently pushed and drove the plug through the barrel. I made several plugs in slightly larger diameters until I got the dent removed.

Be careful, if you try this, to check the diameter of the barrels and not assume they are standard.

Lucky

hp246 · December 28, 2016, 04:11:03 PM

If you talk to Mackinaw Kid, I think he has NOS parts for that gun.

Coffinmaker · December 28, 2016, 04:19:26 PM

Depending on how far the dent is from an end of the tube, you can clamp a mandrel (Socket Handle) in a vice and tap the dent out slowly while carefully turning the tube on the mandrel. Take your time.

Coffinmaker

hp246 · December 28, 2016, 08:18:57 PM

Trader Dan, I just sent you an email with the information. For some reason, CAS is not allowing me to send private messages. I can recieve but not send. If you have any more questions, please reply to my email.

Gabriel Law · December 30, 2016, 05:13:38 PM

Turn down a plug of brass or mild steel to the inside diameter of your tube. Cut a rounded taper on one end and thread this end to receive a push/pull rod. Remove the tube from the pelter. Slip the rod into one end until the plug hits the dent. Apply light pressure on the rod, holding the tube in a support that doesn't crush it, like two maple blocks cut for the purpose. As you apply pulling pressure on the plug, lightly tap the dent and the area around it with a brass hammer. The steel of the tube will flow as the dent rises, and you should be able to remove it entirely. Do not use heat, or you'll enlarge the whole tube in the area of the heat.

Trader Dan · December 31, 2016, 10:10:54 PM

Thanks Gabriel. I do not have a lathe but my best friend does and he is good with it. In your post, you implied that I should pull the plug through the tube. The problem is that the follower is on the wrong side of the dent and I am unable to remove it. The dent of about 4 or so inches down from the front end of the tube. So I will have to insert the plug from the front and push it through. If the dent were on the receiver side of the tube, it would not be a problem to take the follower out.

Gabriel Law · January 01, 2017, 10:11:44 PM

Yup, that's fine. Thread the fat end, or turn the plug like a cigar (tapered both ends to the middle) and push it to the dent. then with many gentle taps of a light brass hammer, while continually pushing on the plug, you'll raise the dent.

Trader Dan · January 04, 2017, 09:58:12 AM

SCORE!!!!

Got the dent out!

I took my long breaker bar and clamped it in my vise. I then inserted the magazine tube over the handle to where the dent was and took my brass hammer and started to tap on the dent. It started to disappear. When it was a lot smaller, I found a socket that was the same size as the ID of the tube and dropped it in the tube. I put a long extension on the socket and tapped it passed the dent. I then did the same thing from the other end of the tube. After a while of this tapping across the dent, it was basically gone. There is still a bit of a dent in the tube but it is clear enough that the follower and a shell will drop past with out hanging. Never done that before.

Thanks for everyone's help. It was not as hard as I though it was going to be.

Trader Dan

Coffinmaker · January 04, 2017, 01:34:15 PM

GOOD JOB !!!!!

Coffinmaker

Coffinmaker · January 04, 2017, 01:37:22 PM

Oh shoot, I forgot > > > > >

Now you should have no trouble trading that "Pump Thingie" off for a PROPER CAS shotgun. You know, one with TWO barrels, side by side and REAL outside HAMMERS!! Yepper!!

. Not that I'm at all opinionated are anything

Coffinmaker

Trader Dan · January 04, 2017, 06:59:47 PM

Already got that there side by each type of scatterguns with them exposed hammers on each barrel. The pump thingy will be used for Wild Bunch. Got a mate for it during the Xmas holidays. Bought a Cimmarron 1911 in Nickle Plate. Purty! Now the pump thingy had to go to a gunsmith that knows the gun and get all the looseness taken out of the barrel to receiver fit. The adjusting sleeve is wore slap out!