
Purchased a nice model 1894 Win 38-55 rifle DOM 1904 with full mag tube today, only to realize when I got home cleaning it, the mag tube ring pulls away from the barrel.
Disassembled & it appears the edges of the barrel insert are worn a little & raised on both ends very slightly. Can anyone advise if there’s an easy fix and how. Can I reform or press the edges of the barrel notch back down into place & how.
Any help Appreciated.
AG
AG,
The mag tube retainer is installed by putting it in the barrel with it twisted 90 degrees to the barrel, then you turn it to line it up with the barrel. That said the dovetail edges of the barrel have been pulled or rolled making the dovetail loose. With the ball end of a small ball peen hammer you can work the edges down but if you do that with the retainer removed you might not get it back in if you get carried away with the hammer. You would want to do a little at a time and then try the retainer. You can stick a small diameter dowel in the retainer to assist in turning it. You could put the retainer in place and tap the dovetail down but you can’t use the hammer directly, you would need to use a rounded punch.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]

Thank you bob. I just tried what you advised with a brass punch it was enough to roll the Edgar’s back down. It’s not super snug but at least it’s holding it in place now. Thank you for the info.
I’m tempted to put a very thin line of clear glue on both sides of the retainer but not sure. I could still remove the mag tube with the retainer glued. It’s not a museum piece but is a shooter.
Any thoughts?
kind regards,
AG
I would just peen it some more and pass on the glue. The problem with a brass punch is its soft compared to steel so it doesn’t do a good job of moving the metal. If your not worried about looks then you can use a steel flat punch. It just leaves shape edges showing
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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