Winchester Model 12 Mag Tube Stuck - Won't Rotate Freely

[equin]

Hi Folks,

I'm new to the Model 12. I have a 16-gauge that I disassembled for cleaning. I removed and reinstalled the trigger housing and bolt after a thorough cleaning. But when it came time to reinstall the barrel and mag tube assembly, the mag tube would not easily rotate back into position. It was essentially stuck. I had to gently hammer it with a piece of wood to slowly get it to rotate back into position for reassembly. It seems to cycle and dry fire fine now, but I'm wondering why it is all of a sudden so "stuck" so that it can't freely rotate normally for future disassembly. Is there something I'm missing about this or maybe I re-assembled it wrong?

 

[Duster340]

I had the same thing when I got a 20 ga model 12 this year. The gun had apparently not been cleaned in years.That tube was really tight. I cleaned the receiver again, really good, and worked the tube a bunch of times until she smoothed out.

Be well.

 

[Armored farmer]

They're pretty finicky until you get the hang of it. You probably did it right if it went back together. It will get better if you take it down often.

 

[FL-NC]

Make sure the interrupted thread are clean and lubed.

 

[equin]

Thanks for the informative replies, everyone. I think I'll disassemble it again and make sure the interrupted threads are sufficiently cleaned and lubricated.

 

[equin]

Finally figured it out! Chalk it up to a rookie mistake I guess. During re-assembly, I failed to push the mag tube back in all the way. I thought I had, but I discovered I have to push it in with a tiny bit more force in order to freely rotate it for proper alignment. Luckily, I didn't damage it when I reassembled it earlier - rookie learning experience. I did clean and lubricate some more the interrupted threads again for added measure. Hope this helps any other Model 12 owner who happens upon the same problem.

 

[Crawdad1]

That's great. Glad you got it working. I don't know much but I know one thing, I'll never take one of those damn things apart.
Good thing they're built so well I'll never have too.

 

[entropy]

It took completely taking apart a Model 12 for me to appreciate the design.

 

[Duster340]

Outstanding!

 

[equin]

That's great. Glad you got it working. I don't know much but I know one thing, I'll never take one of those damn things apart.
Good thing they're built so well I'll never have too.

It's not too hard. I did a search for youtube videos and watched a few to familiarize myself with the process. I then used the video I liked most to follow along the process as I disassembed and then reassembled it. In fact, that video even advises to make sure you push the mag tube assembly all the way back in before rotating it back into alignment. It just so happened that I hadn't really pushed it in all the way as I had thought. Live and learn, as they say!

 

[Armored farmer]

Easy to do when you're trying to be careful.
I always say you have to use a little authority on pump guns and leverguns.

 

[Crawdad1]

Taking apart the equivalent of a brick $hithouse is not on my bucket list nor is it on any list of mine I can find.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Glad you figured it out.

Next time, please do not use a piece of wood to beat the gun back together with. It might not end as well!

 

[Malamute]

Is this hesitation of some to take apart a model 12 referring to the action, or just the takedown of receiver from barrel?

The takedown is the primary appeal of a model 12 to me, and the reason I bought one. Its one of the very best things about them. Makes for a very compact travel gun, if one doesnt mind a shotgun. The only thing that could be better is a takedown Winchester rifle.

They can sometimes be bought pretty cheaply when they become loose and people dont know that they can be tightened up in 5 minutes or less with nothing more than a swiss army knife.

 

[Crawdad1]

You're not taking it apart you're taking it down by separating the Model 12.

Pretty sweet way to carry around a pump shotgun.

In all seriousness I've seen guys beat on these things with hammers, "Its a Model 12, you can't hurt these things."

 

[Crawdad1]

Hey Equin can we get a pic of this Old Boy of yours?

I don't blame ya if you don't like to post pics.

 

[equin]

Hey Equin can we get a pic of this Old Boy of yours?

I don't blame ya if you don't like to post pics.

Let me see if I can figure out how to post a pic using my phone. By the way, love the pic of yours and its case. What kind of case is that?

 

[equin]

One more try:

https://imgur.com/b2tsTF2

 

[equin]

Mine is a 16 gauge. It came with the polychoke when I got it a few months ago at a gun show.

 

[Crawdad1]

Thanks Equin, she's a beater but that's why I bought it. That's one of those old style canvas takedown cases and I'm not real sure if they still make them that way or not. I can't find them any more.

Your is sweet!!!!!!! A lot better shape than mine.

 

[equin]

Thanks! It's in a lot better condition than the others I saw at the gun show, but was actually cheaper because of the less popular 16 gauge.

Yours doesn't look like a beater at all. It looks like a great shooter.

 

[Raybj]

Have someone who knows measure the chamber and see if it is chambered for 2 9/16" shells or 2 3/4" shells. Some of the earlier ones were chambered for the shorter shells.