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December 1, 2012
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How To: Just disassembled a newly purchased, vintage 1888, Model 1886. The magazine tube cap is slightly loose and upon disassembly discovered the tube is slightly separated at the seam. 
Anyone out there know of a fix for this? I would like to “squish” it back together without having to silver solder or TIG weld it.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
May 2, 2009
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There is no way to fix it without solder or weld and if you do it might discolor the tube to where you will see it when installed. My advise is to leave it the way it is.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
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December 1, 2012
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Thanks for the advise
1873man said
There is no way to fix it without solder or weld and if you do it might discolor the tube to where you will see it when installed. My advise is to leave it the way it is.Bob
Thanks for the advise. I was actually hoping, perhaps in vain, for a better answer. I definitely wouldn’t put any heat to it, regardless of a potential solution or not.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
June 4, 2017
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I had one like that, the previous owner had turned the tube end for end. The loose end was in the receiver, the tight end was at the muzzle, he cut the band slot and drilled the cap screw hole. It was a brown gun and I never noticed until I took the gun apart. Not a quality repair. T/R
December 1, 2012
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TR said
I had one like that, the previous owner had turned the tube end for end. The loose end was in the receiver, the tight end was at the muzzle, he cut the band slot and drilled the cap screw hole. It was a brown gun and I never noticed until I took the gun apart. Not a quality repair. T/R
That thought crossed my mind but, unfortunately, both ends are separated.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
December 1, 2012
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Well, after much thought and an unwillingness to let it go, I found an extremely simple solution. I simply tapped it back tight using the rubber tip of a jeweler’s rubber/plastic tipped hammer. The results turned out perfect and the magazine plug now fits snugly into the magazine tube.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
