New one on the left, old one on the right. That ring is supposed to go here:
So I have heard several methods to fix this. The rifle is a beater cosmetically, but I would like to keep it around. The options I have been told about are:
Use a punch to rough up the surface of the magazine ring on the bottom where it meets the barrel.
Use a punch to beat the dovetail ON the barrel to hold the ring in place after it is installed.
Use epoxy on the barrel to raise the base of the dovetail.
Use a brass shim to go the same as the epoxy.
Any help out there? I don't know how to proceed. I think any of the above would work.
I'd use a brass shim first. Less invasive. Beating the crap out of it with a punch sounds barbaric.
ReplyDeleteNice blog.
Welcome Erinyes! Glad you are here.
DeleteI'd be tempted to go with blue Loc-tite.
ReplyDeleteTJ- I am all about least invasive techniques.
DeleteRemember the old adage: work on the part, not the gun itself. That said, I'm inclined to recommend loc-tite or some thicker epoxy.
ReplyDeleteMurph- Well said!
DeleteJB Weld!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, and it's dark grey.
drjim- It works but I am trying the lesser stuff first.
DeleteGood: Use a sharp punch to put a couple small dimples in the side of the ring that faces the base of the dovetail. This will raise metal around the dimples, and create a snug fit.
ReplyDeleteAlso good: build up the dovetail with epoxy/JB, allow to cure then sand/file to a snug fit. May also consider using a small additional quantity to secure part on install, cleaning it up after it cures.
Shims are a pain in the backside unless they are very closely sized to start with.
Loctite may be an answer if the part is a pretty close fit to start with. The intent of loctite is to increase the static friction between close fitting parts, not to hold a rope in a silo.
I would not stake or beat on the dovetail on the gun at all, if you can avoid it.
Best of luck
Ben C- Thanks and welcome!
DeleteI would agree with Ben, use a center punch on the ring, to give you 4-5 'high' spots on the face of the ring, and Loctite the hell out of it. :-)
ReplyDeleteNFO- I will try that first! Thanks!
DeleteWork on the ring. Worst case is you need another one.
ReplyDeleteI would build up the bottom of the base with silver solder. It can be done with a small MAPP gas/oxygen kit and some sliver solder from the big box store. Then once it was oversized, it could be milled or filed back to a tight fit. Silver solder will not be so hot as to damage the metal of a ring that holds a magazine tube, it is commonly used to put bicycle tubes together. You could even practice on the old one.
ASM826- Thanks for that! They are cheap enough! Hell the rifle was too!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ben and Old NFO... I've actually done that with using a center punch to make dimples to hold a replacement dove-tailed front sight in place on an old Stevens .22 rifle... hasn't moved in ten years...
ReplyDeleteIt does make an indentation in the metal, but also makes a slightly raised "rim" around the dimple...
Dann in Ohio
Dann- I agree. Thanks.
Delete