Marlin 1895; fixing a dented magazine tube?

[Hoxviii]

Allright, I have a Marlin 1895 CB with a 9 round magazine. Today for the first time I attempted to load more than three rounds into the magazine and just flat out couldn't put a 4th round in.

Pulled the gun down and there are two dents where the fore stock screws were either too long or over tightened from the factory (newer gun, I've nevr touched the screws), resulting in two dimples that won't allow the follower past.

So "only load 3 rounds" and "get a new one from Marlin" aside, is there any way to go about pushing these dents back out of the tube? I called Marlin and they want me to send them the gun, which I don't really want to do.

As a last resort I know I can drill the dimples and r&r with a copper slug and a spot weld, but would rather not have to go that far.

 

[waverace]

can you get a piece of bar down it the same OD as the ID of the tube ? if so just hammering that down should do it , another possibility would be to hone it with a long dowel wrapped in emery cloth .

 

[rcmodel]

I have fixed a bunch of .22 tubes like that.

Find a fractional, or letter size drill bit that just fits the tube perfectly.

Then shove the smooth drill shank down past the dents, and tappy-tap them out with a small smooth-face hammer.

Just like auto-body work, only a much smaller body!

rc

 

[dagger dog]

Tappy-tap is the correct way alright just enough to raise the dent , just don't go over board and stretch the metal, or you will have more problems if the tube is steel you can use a brass hammer or if it is brass use a hard plastic head some times it takes more than one size drill bit you start a smaller one then go up in 1/16 or 1/8 " increments, start the shank portion of the bit into the tube then when it reaches the obstucted area put some pressure on it with a wooden dowel and do the tappy tap like rc syas but easy does it.

 

[coyotehitman]

Call the manufacturer and save yourself some work.

 

[Hoxviii]

Well, worked the dents out today.

Took a mosin-nagant bayonet and put an empty .270 over the point. Put it through the tube and worked it back and forth along with some light hammer work and popped them right out.

I'm probably never going to need more than 3 rounds of 45-70, but since I paid for the gun to hold 9 it's nice to know that it will.

 

[waverace]

Glad to hear it good job (-: