How to repair this pot metal magazine?

[Odd Job]

This is a Thompson / Center R55 magazine, which is made from pot metal. Today it split neatly down the spine, into the two parts from which it was originally manufactured. So do I epoxy it or what say you?

Here are some images (this magazine has been Cerakoted by the way):







An interesting side note: the CT logo inside the mag (which is not visible outside).
I wonder if CT was a sub-contractor who made the mags for TC...

 

[rcmodel]

I would use this if you can get it over there.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...king-liquids/black-max-adhesive-prod6139.aspx

rc

 

[Odd Job]

I can indeed get that, thanks!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Be careful to apply a "release agent" to the spring and follower.

If they are pre-assembly, captured items on this.

 

[Odd Job]

I should be okay because the mag body can be glued, assembled and left to dry before the other pieces are assembled.

 

[Odd Job]

Update: I used the Loctite 380 as RCModel recommended and it has worked very well. All I did was clean the exposed edges of the magazines then apply a thin layer of Loctite to one magazine edge.
I put them together and applied pressure for an hour. Job done, the magazine has been well used since I repaired it and I now cannot tell the difference between that magazine and the other 10-rounders I have.

Thanks for the tip, RC!

 

[rcmodel]

Great!!

Glad I was right, for once!!!

Thanks for the follow-up!,

rc

 

[Kp321]

+1 on the Black Max adhesive. The longer I use it, the more uses I find for it.

 

[g.willikers]

Another thanks.
Never heard of it before.
Better living through chemistry.

 

[27hand]

An old welder told me at some point many years ago that depending on the makeup of the pot metal, there is a chance it could be TIG welded.

I did a little research as he passed 20+ years ago and found this video of repairing pot metal parts which essentially looks like and is described as soldering.

Not sure if it would be of any use but the info is out there.

http://muggyweld.com/how-to-join-broken-pot-metal-parts

 

[rcmodel]

I wouldn't suggest trying it on something you can't replace when it goes up in smoke in front of your welding mask!!!

There are way too many types of 'Pot metal' to even try to guess if you can weld it or not.

But most, you can't.

rc

 

[Odd Job]

The other thing is, there are small air bubbles in these magazines. I found that out by X-raying them.

 

[WardenWolf]

Looks like the mag was just soldered together originally at a couple of spots. That's how I'd have fixed it.

 

[rcmodel]

You can't solder pot metal.

Solder won't stick to it.

Might have been induction spot welded or something.
But it for sure wasn't soldered.

rc

 

[4v50 Gary]

A classmate was given an assignment to fix a shotgun. It had pot metal parts. He couldn't fix it. Me? I'd glue it but I'd also make a couple of metal bands that would help keep it together. That too should be glued onto the magazine body.

 

[WardenWolf]

You can't solder pot metal.

Solder won't stick to it.

Might have been induction spot welded or something.
But it for sure wasn't soldered.

rc

What about silver solder?

 

[rcmodel]

No.

Low-temp silver solder is solder.
Hi-temp silver solder melts at about the same temp the pot metal melts.

rc

 

[Odd Job]

It may be useful for folks to see the radiographs. The red arrows represent defects in the metal, green arrows are not defects but the normal design of the magazines:





Given the circumstances, I think glue is the best option for a home repair like this.