MAG TUBE

[two bit okie]

Is there a mechanical reason that the short mag tube on a marlin with either an 18" or 20" 45-70 could not be replaced with a full lenght mag tube?

I realize that it would only give one or two rounds, but the short tube just does not look balanced.

[1886]

Probably no reason why a good smith could not perform this mod. for you. It is a very real possibility that one could run into the "flying mag. tube syndrome" with repeated use of heavy recoiling loads. I agree that the aesthetics of the full length tube are most appealing, it may not be the most practical choice. Browning uses a superior lug system to retain the mag. tube. Threading the tube into the receiver is also a superior method. 1886.

[Chuck 100 yd]

It can and has been done. You would need to cut a dovetail at the muzzle end if staying with the rifle forend cap and there will be an unused dovetail where the mag tube anchor is now. You could make a dovetail filler I guess. I like the short mag tubes and actually want one with a button mag and a band type sling swivel mount made to cover the dovetail half way up the barrel.

When the new SS Marlin .338`s come out I may just do that with one.
Cut the barrel to 20" and cut the mag tube to button length and fabricate a band type sling swivel mount that would use a drilled and tapped piece that fills the dovetail to anchor it.
Also the laminated stock will be replaced with a walnut one.

[salvo]

two bit okie, I put a full length mag tube on my guide gun, just as Chuck 100 yd said.
The mag tube was ordered from Brownells, it was for the 1895CB. You need to cut it to fit and it needs to be cut from the muzzle end of the tube, not the receiver end, because you need the bulbous end so the 45-70 cartridge can make the turn into the tube while loading.
Here is the link from the "one sticky"

http://onesticky.levergunscommunity.com ... _mods.html

[Guncase]

My .444 was already altered when I bought it. The original owner cut the barrel to 20" and added the longer mag tube and extra barrel band. Even with the extra band, the mag tube would slip toward the muzzle under recoil and tie up the gun. I simply re-shaped the second barrel band to get a better grip on the mag tube and haven't had any trouble since.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Great looking gun with the full mag and double band.

[TDF]

Guncase, I think you and I have sisters. I've got a very similar 444 with the slim wood like yours that was also cut to 20 inches and the mag tube was lengthened to 20. They actually cut the tube and brazed in a section in the middle that is hidden under the foreend to lengthen the tube. Mine don't have the extra barrel band though and they didn't do a very good job drilling the hole in the bottom of the barrel for the screw in the end of the mag tube so mine really grows upon firing. I've purchased all the parts to convert it to the style that has the dovetailed stud in the bottom of the barrel. Just need to cut the dovetail.

TDF

[Guncase]

TDF,
I was drawn to the rifle when I first saw it at a gun show. Even with the Monte Carlo stock, it just has a "look" that I couldn't pass up. Also, it is very effective on deer.