[BillyBothHands]

Heya everybody. I orignally posted this under Shotguns earlier today just beause I had shotguns on the brain :). Anyhow I thought it might be more appropriate to ask the question here instead....
Original: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=456162

It is an old Auto 5 16ga ~1931 from what I looked up. Its in decent shape as far as I've seen so far. I can't unscrew the magazine cap to get it apart.
I tried a strap wrench however the wrench is a waxed? nylon one feels like. I think a rubber one might grip it better but I couldn't find one today. I currently have the shotty upside down in the corner with some wd-40 in the mag tube. I'm not sure if that will make it to the threads or not but I thought it was worth a try.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[rbernie]

You have to push the barrel down a bit to loosen the cap. If it's truly stuck, I use a strip of leather to pad the cap and break it free with slip-joint pliers.

[BillyBothHands]

It is truly stuck. I tried a piece of burlap with some pliers while pushing the barrel in, but I was afraid to be too hard on it not wanting to put too much stress and end up creating a worse problem.

I guess i'll let it soak for a day or two and try it again.

[41022collector]

On the B-Auto5, Savage 740 and Remington Model 11. (all browning designs of same type and style * size differences of the parts and holes on the Metric Japan Made Brownings))


First Download and Print the Browning A5 Gunsmiths Field Repair Manual, it is FREE:

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/ctgy/browning-auto-5-field-service-manual

To Remove a stuck end cap:

NOTE: always clear the chamber and tube of any ammunition before starting this proceedure.

1. Use Westleys PB Blaster (avail at auto stores and Brownells Gunsmithing supplies) at room temp for about 1 hour, it will find its way to the threads no problem at all. Before trying to turn the cap, tap lightly with a plastic or leather hammer. The PB blaster changes to a lube rather than a pent when tapped.

2. Make sure you have down ward or to the receiver end pressure on the barrel as this takes the pressure off the cap.

3. On a * Craftsman replacable jaws plier or similar, make a set of either machinable nylon or delron jaws and attach to the jaws, with this add tire tube rubber glued to the plasting jaws. Wipe the contact side to the mag cap of the rubber with alcohol to allow it to grip better.

4. DO NOT APPLY too much compression force as you can colapse the cap and tube (I have had to repair more than a few due to this). Cap and tube replacement along with fitting and smith fee's can come to $140.00 or more for rare gauges like the 16 ga.

NOTE: Depending on which cap you have (they made three styles), if you have the vertical ribbed cap, you can cut ribs into the nylon or the delron. If it is smooth with a slight knurl on it, a rough side of a piece of leather with alcohol on it. If it is the grade 5 or Premier grade with engraving get a piece of dry ice from a local butcher shop, place the piece of dry ice directly to the cap, allow to totally evaporate and then try the cap with just a pair of rubber gloves. Be careful with the dry ice as it can cause sever burns on your skin.

You can try the dry ice trick on the other styles, but why bother if you really do not need to.

If none of this works and you are somewhat familure with the A5. You can remove the magazine stop screw and set screw on the frame. Be very very careful with this as the whole tube and spring assembly can forcefully shoot forward. On some models, the tube is screwed into the frame. You should be able to with a lil wiggle and turning remove the tube, be careful not to scratch the tube in the barrel hold down and tube retaining rings. Once the rube is off the frame you can get a better grip and also remove the barrel backwards off the tube.

Note: when you put it all back together, use anti sieze on the threads, do not go crazy with it, just wet the threads or coat a thin film on the threads. Remember to get the friction ring set up correctly on re-assembly.

For a FREE browning A5 Gunsmiths service manual, you can goto Midwest and get an actual Browning Field Service Manual as used by Gunsmiths to inspect and service the A5. Here is the Link to C&P, to download and then print the service manual.

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/ctgy/browning-auto-5-field-service-manual

[BillyBothHands]

Alrighty I finally got it! I was able to finally find a rubber strap wrench. For some reason finding one in this town is about like looking for 380 ammo. I have no idea why!. Any how was I got a hold of it with that I was able to get enough grip to get it off.

I was a little concerned that there might be worse things going on since that cap was stuck so good, but everything looks great in there!

Now I just have to wait on that 2.5" 16ga ammo that I ordered from Midway. When I get out to shoot it I will post something up on the shotgun side with some pictures maybe!

Thanks rbernie and collector for the assist! and the manual!