Removing a Winchester SXP Magazine Tube

[mark1969]

Hi, first post here so hello to you all. Had a good look through and I can see an answer to my question, but have spent far too long reading lots of other useful stuff!!

I have a Winchester SXP 2+1 and would like to fit a magazine extension and take it onto my FAC. However the existing tube is obviously crimped, does anyone know how to remove the tube from the receiver so I can either have the crimp removed or fit a replacement? Have any of you tried to remove the crimp from a mag tube, I see Brownells sell a dent removal tool but the crimp seems a bit heavy duty for that to work so does anyone knows where I might source a replacement?

 

Thanks in advance, Mark. 

[Graham M]

My old Mossberg had a 1" tube that I wanted to remove. Thought for a while then just fitted a couple of 1" scope rings onto it and used them as a leverage point to unscrew the tube. Worked very well and didn't damage the tube.

[mark1969]

That's a good idea, my problem is I have read conflicting info on the tube being screwed into the received or a friction fit retained by a plastic throat inside the receiver. Don't want to damage the throat as they seem to be hard to get.

[Graham M]

They make things so overly difficult these days

 

[impala59]

Not familiar with the SXP but as I understand it the tube is screwed into the magazine throat, which is plastic and supposedly quite fragile. 

To comply with the section 2 restrictions the magazine tube should be permanently fixed to the receiver as well as being crimped at the appropriate point. With a plastic component, of course there can be no welding or brazing so I would guess that a loctite type permanent adhesive was used. This, to my mind would ensure the destruction of the throat if any attempt was made to remove. I would not try it unless I had a spare!

Perhaps your best option would be to part-ex your S2 for an S1?

edit....

the only way to free any permanent adhesive is with heat, so again destroying the plastic part.

also to use the brownells dent remover would involve serious hammering which again would seriously test the plastic parts. 

Depending on the wall thickness of the tube an M12 rawlbolt with the bolt replaced with studding, some steel tube and a couple of nylocs at the end will give you a basic 20 to 24mm expander. I used this method to replace a damaged (captive) follower then reset the crimp with a dulled tube cutter. I don’t think it would work if the tube was thicker walled though.

Edited October 2, 2018 by impala59

[mark1969]

You make some very good points, especially the permanent fixing of the tube as I had not really thought about that. I think PX is going to be the way ahead as although I am tempted to try and remove the crimp the risk of destroying the tube and/or throat is too high. Shame as the gun is very smooth to use but the S1 SXP only has 4+1 so if I get that I will still need an extension tube, all costs!! Guess I need to start looking for a higher capacity alternative. Very much appreciate the comments.

[fse10]

Yep best way would be to chop it in for a S1 shotgun as you would need to send it off for reproofing as going from S2 to S1. And depending on what make/ model you want S1's are cheaper then S2's. Can pick up a Stoger MK300 for £500 or s/hand M2 for £800 odd. On a side note i have a S2 Escort & can unscrew the mag tube with no problem but as i have a fac M2 don't have a need to.

[mark1969]

Thanks all, pretty well sorted now. Will have to be a new gun. I very much enjoy the SXP, it is the fastest pump I have used, so I will probably buy the S1 and add a tube extension. At £399 (one for 325 if I had a slot on my ticket already) it won't break the bank. Needs to be multi-purpose and I am not a big fan or semi's out fowling so likely to stick with a pump. Will make PSG a little harder but I am sure I will live with that. Again many thanks for the thoughts and advice.

[fse10]

You can't use an S1 for wild fowling as is against the wildlife & countryside act . Even if you only put two in the mag or put a plug in the tube.

[mark1969]

Really? They seem to sell enough in various camo patterns and I am sure there are a couple I know of in use. Have to find the relevant bit of the act and let them know. All very much a pain in the bum, looks like I will have to keep my S2 and get a separate S1, I had hoped to avoid that as cabinet space it getting to be a premium and I am sure my good lady will not be impressed with another box on the wall !!!

 

OK so looking at the act it specifically says Automatic or Semi-Automatic, as the SXP is a pump action I guess there is some clarity needed.

Edited October 3, 2018 by mark1969

[fse10]

Yep that's the way i read it so you may get away with a pump seems to be a bit of a gray area, & i would not want to be the one to test it in court. Most of the time by the time you get a 4th or 5th shot off the ducks/geese would be out of range. But then again i have shot five pigeons one after the other with my M2 so is doable . But the question would also be is it sporting to shoot ducks with an S1 ? We have some strange laws in this country 🙄.

Edited October 3, 2018 by fse10

[mark1969]

It does seem very grey, I think more research is required. I fully agree that there is not really much need for a S1 for Wild Fowl, in my case it is just trying to keep the number of firearms held down a little bit. I need to keep my OU (not something I want to take out in mud) as I do a bit of coaching and the S1 would be a big No No there. So having to keep an S2 pump also is a pain, but needs must and I definitely do not want to test things in court!! Maybe I need to contact BASC and see what their take is, before I spend any money.

[impala59]

For what it’s worth, if you were getting a 2nd gun, then another SXP would seem the obvious choice based on your familiarity with the Winchester. Perhaps a used one, they do come up now and then (you could always place a wanted ad, you might even get one with an extension tube!)

As far as using a section 1 pump for wildfowl, I think I would check with BASC, especially if you are a member 

finally regarding your comment about pumps in PSG, you would be competing in manual class and so would not be disadvantaged unless you put an optic or dot sight on (that would put you in open class)

[mark1969]

Yes I think a second SXP would be my choice. They are not too expensive new, and I might be cheeky and see if the RFD can do any deal with an extension tube. I will look for SH, they do pop up and often with low usage and as you say I might get lucky. Just need to find somewhere for another cabinet that Mrs won't spot, or buy a bigger one and just replace it and hope she doesn't notice ha ha.

[Graham M]

Quote

 

The legislation allowing which species can be taken with semi-automatic firearms.

The relevant legislation is the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act (referred to as WCA) for England, Wales and Scotland and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (referred to as WO). They are broadly similar and both govern what species we can shoot. Birds and mammals are treated separately within both Acts so we will look at birds first.

Bird species and semi-automatic firearms

Both Acts “prohibits the killing or taking of wild birds by any automatic or semiautomatic firearm” (WCA Part 1, section 5, (1), c, iii and WO Part II, section 6, (1), c, iii). The Acts define automatic or semi-automatic firearms as follows: (WCA Part 1, section 27 and WO Part II, section 3) “automatic firearm” and “semi-automatic firearm” do not include any firearm the magazine of which is incapable of holding more than two rounds. Therefore these Acts prohibit the killing of any wild bird with a semi-automatic firearm with a magazine capacity greater than 2 rounds. However there is an exception which permits their use for the birds listed on the general licences. These species are often thought of as the ‘pest’ bird species. More detail on this is given in the next section. In addition the definitions of automatic and semi-automatic firearms in the WCA and WO have never been tested. It BASC’s view that only firearms that are automatic2 or semiautomatic3 (i.e. self loading action types) whose magazine contain more than two rounds are included in the definition. Therefore firearms which use another reloading system (bolt or lever action for example) and have a magazine capacity over 2 rounds are not included in the definition and so could be used to shoot all the bird quarry species. However it may prove difficult to gain a condition on a firearms certificate to shoot game or waterfowl with such a firearm and providers of shooting opportunities may not permit their use.

The general licences and their impact on species that can be taken with semiautomatic firearms.

Most people are aware that semi-automatic firearms with magazines capable of holding more than two rounds may be used for controlling certain pest species such as wood pigeon. The reason is that the WCA and WO allow licences to be granted that override previous sections of the Acts. The result is that a series of licences referred to as the “General Licences” are issued by Natural England, The Welsh Assembly, The Scottish Executive and Environment and Heritage Service (Northern Ireland). These licences allow authorised people (i.e. you have permission to shoot over the land in question) to shoot what are regarded as the avian pest species such as pigeons, members.

2: automatic firearms, i.e. those that fire more than one round for each depression of the trigger, are prohibited in the UK by the Firearms Acts

3: Semi-automatic rifles are restricted by the Firearms Acts to .22 rim fire calibre in the UK, shotguns of this nature are unrestricted

 

 

[impala59]

Interesting that in the definition “loaded by another system”, only lever and bolt action are quoted, not the predominant alternative, the pump or slide action  🤨

[impala59]

I seriously doubt whether anyone would want to venture out on The foreshore with a box fed pump such as the new Mossberg with its double stack 20 round magazine but no doubt they will be marketing them in various camo finishes when they eventually arrive, so it would be nice to clarify the rules without ‘grey’ areas

[Fil]

On 02/10/2018 at 10:51, mark1969 said:

Hi, first post here so hello to you all. Had a good look through and I can see an answer to my question, but have spent far too long reading lots of other useful stuff!!

I have a Winchester SXP 2+1 and would like to fit a magazine extension and take it onto my FAC. However the existing tube is obviously crimped, does anyone know how to remove the tube from the receiver so I can either have the crimp removed or fit a replacement? Have any of you tried to remove the crimp from a mag tube, I see Brownells sell a dent removal tool but the crimp seems a bit heavy duty for that to work so does anyone knows where I might source a replacement?

 

Thanks in advance, Mark. 

They are loctited on. A bit of heat and they unscrew. I convert them all the time for people who get a slot on their fac. 

[impala59]

11 hours ago, Fil said:

They are loctited on. A bit of heat and they unscrew. I convert them all the time for people who get a slot on their fac. 

That sounds quite encouraging, is the throat more hardy (and available) than has been reported?

[Fil]

On 06/10/2018 at 21:05, impala59 said:

That sounds quite encouraging, is the throat more hardy (and available) than has been reported?

I replaced one twice on a guys gun. They burn out and the ring gets burnt up. He shoots it a lot though but personally I feel it's not good.

[Russ Hamilton]

29 Aug., 2019...I just removed the magazine tube from an SXP.  Clamped the tube with a pair of 30mm 'scope rings in a heavy-duty vise, heated the frame/tube with a hair dryer, then clamped the frame with my barrel removal clam😀p. With just a bit of effort the tube broke free and unscrewed just fine. There is no crimp, and the barrel throat is a part y-all can get from Numrich, part #655070 which is listed at $8.50 USD. russboy

[Jaymo]

No we can’t - Numrich no longer offer overseas shipping