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May 18, 2026
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I’m finally getting around to opening, disassembling, cleaning and lubing my 3rd model 73 sporting rifle. I’ve already decided that I’ll completely disassemble the gun since the original lube has gone past gummy to petrified. It took 2 full days to soak the side plates loose. The minor damage to some of the screws indicate someone has been into it in the distant past. The interior parts are in great condition with smooth age patina under the petrified lube/dirt layer. All parts/screws have been cleaned carefully with a stainless wire wheel in a Dremel. My question concerns the forend and magazine tube. I haven’t seen anything addressing removal of the magazine tube in order to remove the forend. The forend cap anchor appears dovetailed to the barrel as does the capped end anchor. I don’t want to damage the thin rolled sheet tube by trying to tap out the dovetailed anchors. Can I safely assume that I can eventually break down the gunk under the anchors and slide out the tube? And will this free up the forend so I can inspect for active rust under it?
May 2, 2009
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John,
There isn’t much to be gained by removing the mag tube. The only moving part is the follower which can be removed out the end. The mag ring dovetail is not a simple dovetail so trying to tap it out will damage it. its a circular dovetail. The mag tube must be removed before removing the mag ring. Depending on what era the gun is they inlet the mag tube in to the bottom of the barrel on early guns so you can’t rotate the mag ring out with the tube in it. Over time they inlet it less until there was non. I would not remove the mag ring if it firmly in place since there is nothing to clean by removing it.
To remove the mag tube you first remove the mag tube plug and screw. Remove the spring and follower. Remove the forearm cap screws. Put some oil on the mag tube in front of the forearm cap to help from scratching the tube and slide the mag tube retainer forward so it is free of the tendon. the forearm cap sometimes can put side load on the mag tube making removal of the tube harder. Now remove the pin through the mag tube and mag ring. I would soak the mag ring and aft of it will oil, now the mag tube can be removed but years of oil and grime can seal it in place and this is where most people damage the tube. Trying to rotate it to break it free. If the guns been stored in wet environment the forearm wood will soak up moisture and rust the tube bonding it to the forearm just like if you used epoxy. I have used a steel or aluminum rod turned to just fit inside the mag tube and then clamp the mag tube in a padded vise and carefully work the tube loose but rotating a seized tube too much will cause the solder joint of the tube to break.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 19, 2006
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Bob –
Great tutorial!
June 4, 2017
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A stainless steel wheel on a dremel does not sound good. Old tooth brush, Kroil, cotton rag, and maybe 0000 steel wool with oil sounds better. Old grease and light rust will come off with soak time. T/R
May 2, 2009
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0000 steel wool or brass wool and oil will take rust off without harming the finish.
Post pictures of the gun so we can the condition its in.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
April 15, 2005
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TR said
A stainless steel wheel on a dremel does not sound good. Old tooth brush, Kroil, cotton rag, and maybe 0000 steel wool with oil sounds better. Old grease and light rust will come off with soak time. T/R
Agreed!
Soak all of the pieces & parts in small tub of 100% pure acetone to remove all of the old dried grease, oil, and gun powder. If any rust exists, a soak in Kroil and use of a copper wire brush will remove the rust scale.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 13, 2006
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JSchluter said . . . . . .The forend cap anchor appears dovetailed to the barrel as does the capped end anchor. I don’t want to damage the thin rolled sheet tube by trying to tap out the dovetailed anchors. . . . . .
DO NOT attempt to “tap out” the ring from the barrel!
Although the fastening of the mag tube to the barrel APPERS to use a dovetailed ring, it is NOT! To remove this ring, you must PIVOT the ring out from the barrel.
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