I bought an 1897 in decent shape last year, and it just doesnt want to be taken down. I have multiple winchester books and talked to multiple people and they all agree that it shoudl break in two. The only thing im missing is the little pin at the end of the tube to help the operator rotate it.
The mag tube itself rotates fine. I jsut never lets go of the receiver.
From what I can see its a 16 gauge, Black Diamond Deluxe take down model.
Gun:
Missing pin:
Forend:
From the picture posted of the ‘missing pin hole”: The magazine tube has not been rotated far enough counter clockwise to allow the magazine threads to completely release from the receiver threads. The pin hole appears to be at the “6 o’clock” position and should be at about the “4 o’clock” position to disengage the threads. If possible, use a substitute pin that goes completely through the tube. This will help prevent damage to the pin holes by equalizing the turning pressure. Just a guess. Good luck. Roger B
Kev18 said
Im rotating it as far as it goes. It almost does a full 180. How do the threads look? Is there a cut out in them to allow them to fall free if the receiver?
If you are asking if it has interrupted threads, the answer is Ye, it does. When you have the magazine tube fully turned, slide the pump handle forward
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
From what I observed, you already had the mag. tube oriented close to where it should be to disassemble. When you inserted the tool into the hole I thought you were going to push it down towards the floor to loosen, but you went in an upward direction to tighten (clockwise rotation).
Put the tool back in & turn the tube counterclockwise (as looking from the muzzle) until it stops. Then, attempt to pull the mag tube out (away from the receiver). It should slide out of and away from the receiver. I’ve taken down some stubborn ones by grasping the mag tube behind the forend close to the receiver. Sometimes the tube is not perfectly straight & will offer some good resistance. Don’t drastically force anything…just be firm & work at it.
Good video!
I just got off the phone with Kevin, and as it turns out, the magazine tube is not quite rotating far enough to clear the interrupted threads from the receiver frame. I suggested using some penetrating oil, and then working (rotating) the magazine tube back & forth until it will rotate the full 90-degrees.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L

I had the same issue with my 97’ take down. After many attempts, I realized mine has a tiny square piece of metal welded to the magazine tube at the 12 o’clock position (it’s hard to see because it sits directly under the barrel). That little raised piece of metal prevents the tube from sliding all the way out of the receiver..
I haven’t had time to send mine to a gunsmith, or tried hard to figure out how to bypass this raised piece of metal, but hopefully this information helps you.
J Labate said
I had the same issue with my 97’ take down. After many attempts, I realized mine has a tiny square piece of metal welded to the magazine tube at the 12 o’clock position (it’s hard to see because it sits directly under the barrel). That little raised piece of metal prevents the tube from sliding all the way out of the receiver..I haven’t had time to send mine to a gunsmith, or tried hard to figure out how to bypass this raised piece of metal, but hopefully this information helps you.
There is absolutely no reason to “bypass” or remove the steel tab on the magazine tube. When you properly rotate the magazine tube to take down the barrel assembly, it stops the tube from being over extended when you pull the slide handle all the way forward to disengage the magazine tube from the receiver frame.
When the magazine tube is fully engaged in the receiver frame, the steel tab will be at the 12 o’clock position. When rotated correctly to take down the barrel assembly, that steel tab will be rotated to the 3 o’clock position, and it will slide forward and stop at the magazine band when the threaded end of the mag tube is clear of the receiver frame.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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