Pull Out Tube Feed CF Levergun Conversion

[jstein650]

Been reading a number of posts about centerfire lever actions. One of the caveats that concerns a number of levergun owners, or potential owners is the PITA factor of unloading loaded rounds from the magazine - cycling until it's empty. I am sure I saw somewhere a conversion that replaced the mag tube with one with a loading slot and a removable spring tube - like a .22 After some on line searches, I can't seem to find anything. Am I imagining this?

 

[kBob]

Perhaps you saw a Henry Big Boy .44Magnum which comes that way rather than a conversion?

-kBob

 

[jstein650]

It's entirely possible I suppose.

 

[BCRider]

It would be quite the conversion since the two center fire lever rifles I have use a long screw that passes through the end plug of the magazine tube to secure the front to the barrel. To get a rimfire like locking front plug to allow this conversion you'd need to look at finding a different way to secure the mag tube in place and then to cut the end and make up a tube and plunger like setup. As it sits now the mag tube spring is only captured in the tube by the follower on one end and that end plug on the other. You'd need a whole new spring plus tube to contain the spring when you draw the works out to allow dumping the ammo.

So all in all I suspect it's not something you simply do in any easy sort of manner to the stock setup.

If you COULD come up with this sort of option you would not need to allow a forward loading slot. Just come up with a safe way to be able to have your hand out in front of the muzzle then slip out the spring and follower plunger and let the ammo slip out the front end. The key here is to come up with a way to block or otherwise result in an empty chamber or to at least lower the hammer safely on the chambered round before removing the ammo plunger.

 

[jstein650]

On my Puma, I figured the muzzle end barrel/mag band would suffice for securing the tube. It seems the dimensions, at least on my .44, would necessitate a pretty thin walled spring plunger tube also. Not something I would ever try on my gun, as I never found it a big deal to rack out the rounds anyway. (it only comes up when hunting - if I'm at the range, I shoot 'em) The fact that the Henry Big Boy comes that way must have stuck in my head that it was at least feasible.