Making a plug for a Winchester Model 42

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I inherited a Winchester Model 42, .410 pump. The magazine doesn’t have a plug. Is there a magic plug length that will cut magazine capacity down to 2 shells for both 2 1/2” and 3” shells? I could probably make one by trial and error but I would rather not disassemble and reassemble that magazine tube more than once.

Thanks for any guidance.
 
Doves are migratory fowl; shotguns can’t hold more than 3 shells in Missouri.



Good suggestion. I think Brownell’s has what I can use. Thanks.
Doves are migratory so you need a Fed stamp; but unless your state mandates non-tox, folks here in FL use lead
 
I had four Winchester 42,s, but as they went from a nice light shotgun to a classic worth money and when the 100.00 dollar bills got high enough they found a new home. my to go 410 now is a Remington pump 870 express bought at close out at Walmart for 179.00 and I also bought one in 28 ga too, I bought a mec 650 to feed it and a mec 9000 to feed the 28 ga.
 
The magazine doesn’t have a plug. Is there a magic plug length that will cut magazine capacity down to 2 shells for both 2 1/2” and 3” shells?

I don't have a .410 or any .410 shells so I can't tell you the exact length needed for a plug but it should be simple to figure out. I have a Model 12 in 12ga that needed a plug and I made as follows:

You need to cut a dowel rod that can fit down the magazine spring long enough to take up the space occupied by the capacity of the magazine to hold 3" shells minus the space needed for two 3" shells plus a little more to allow for insertion of the shells in the mag tube beyond the shell catch. I'd suggest + 1/2 to 3/4". Use actual measured shell length.

Because shot shell length is classified by the length of a fired case that includes the unfolded crimp (total length fired is 3" on a 3" shell), the length of a unfired case is shorter unless it uses a cap end rather than a folded crimp. The plug may rattle a bit or slide up and down the mag tube but has worked for me for over 40 years now.
 
I would not use wood for a dowel. You can get a delrin rod from Lowe's or similar. Wood attracts moisture
 
I don't have a .410 or any .410 shells so I can't tell you the exact length needed for a plug but it should be simple to figure out. I have a Model 12 in 12ga that needed a plug and I made as follows:

You need to cut a dowel rod that can fit down the magazine spring long enough to take up the space occupied by the capacity of the magazine to hold 3" shells minus the space needed for two 3" shells plus a little more to allow for insertion of the shells in the mag tube beyond the shell catch. I'd suggest + 1/2 to 3/4". Use actual measured shell length.

Because shot shell length is classified by the length of a fired case that includes the unfolded crimp (total length fired is 3" on a 3" shell), the length of a unfired case is shorter unless it uses a cap end rather than a folded crimp. The plug may rattle a bit or slide up and down the mag tube but has worked for me for over 40 years now.

I would not use wood for a dowel. You can get a delrin rod from Lowe's or similar. Wood attracts moisture

Brownell’s has a one-size fits all plastic plug that is pre-scored to be snapped off at the proper length for many common shotguns. A chart listing shotguns and their plug lengths is included. For the Winchester 42 I used it full length and it worked perfectly for both 2 1/2” and 3” shells. A drop-in solution for about $9.

Thanks again to Bearman 49709 for suggesting I look at the parts suppliers.

https://www.brownells.com/shotgun-p.../fits-all-shotgun-magazine-plug-prod1232.aspx
 
Brownell’s has a one-size fits all plastic plug that is pre-scored to be snapped off at the proper length for many common shotguns. A chart listing shotguns and their plug lengths is included. For the Winchester 42 I used it full length and it worked perfectly for both 2 1/2” and 3” shells. A drop-in solution for about $9.

Thanks again to Bearman 49709 for suggesting I look at the parts suppliers.

https://www.brownells.com/shotgun-p.../fits-all-shotgun-magazine-plug-prod1232.aspx
Awesome! I was not aware of it
 
Brownell’s has a one-size fits all plastic plug that is pre-scored to be snapped off at the proper length for many common shotguns. A chart listing shotguns and their plug lengths is included. For the Winchester 42 I used it full length and it worked perfectly for both 2 1/2” and 3” shells. A drop-in solution for about $9.

Thanks again to Bearman 49709 for suggesting I look at the parts suppliers.

https://www.brownells.com/shotgun-p.../fits-all-shotgun-magazine-plug-prod1232.aspx

I didn't recommend Brownells because I couldn't remember their name, darn rsc kicking in.
 
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