Wilson +1 Extension on 25077, XS Sights Detent Swage Tool

[RomeoPapa]

For my Saturday morning project, I used an XS Sights detent swage tool to remove the dimples from the magazine tube of my 25077. I basically followed the instructions, and the whole process took well under an hour. I greased the tool and inside the magazine tube, and used an 8 oz. ball-peen hammer to beat the tool into the tube. Then I used a series of brass punches to peen out the dimples, starting with an 1/8" and working up to 1/4", with the 8 oz. hammer. When the process was complete, the tool could be slipped out of the tube easily by hand. By using the brass punches, no damage was done to the tube exterior. Inside, what remained of the dimples was very smooth and did not require dremeling, sanding, or re-bluing. Outside, there are two barely perceptible flat areas that remained from the dimples.

I give this tool very high marks, and IMHO, it's preferable to drilling and grinding.

I cleaned up the grease, and reassembled the gun with a Wilson +1 extension and an SBE tactical follower, using a Wilson spring. Function checked by loading up and running through 7 - 2 3/4" snap caps several times. Loading was smooth, and no malfunctions were observed. Since the extension has a sling mount, I was able to eliminate the magazine clamp, and further simplify things.

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[TexasArmor84]

Very nice RomeoPapa

[Vitaly]

Nice shotgun! I like simple setup.

[yOGi420™]

So, you took a 6-1 and made a 7-1 out of it? I like it!

[Synchronizor]

Looks good, RomeoPapa. How did you secure the magazine tube while you were working on it?

[RomeoPapa]

Good question, Synch. I was most concerned about protecting the braze connecting the tube to the receiver. I have some aluminum jaws for my vise that have 90 degree cut outs in them. I wrapped the magazine with an old mountain bike tube and clamped it in the vise using only enough force to hold it and not deform the magazine. It only took a half-dozen sharp raps with my 8 ounce ball-peen to knock the swage tool into place. At this point, the tool was locked firmly into the tube and the detents, while still present, were much less pronounced.

Then I just held it against my thigh and starting tapping with the punches. After a bit I was able to rotate the tool. A few more taps later, the detects were almost out and the tool literally slipped out of the tube. I figured I was getting close, and checked my work. Almost done. A few more taps and the detects were gone from the interior of the tube, with only slight vestiges remaining on the outside. A bit more work and they were gone.

I cleaned everything up, checked the work with a flashlight, and dropped a follower through the tube.

For what it's worth, I started Ender's Game when I began tapping out the detents and was done by his first fight scene.

[Zebra62]

Looks nice RomeoPapa. I've been looking into a +1 extension for mine.

Is the sling mount an integral part of the extension or can it be removed?

[RomeoPapa]

It could probably be removed by spreading it out, or by cutting one of the legs. It's not welded to the tube or anything like that. It's basically captured in a groove and there is a bit of play in it. Wilson does sell one with a stud on the end of the tube. Haven't seen it, so I can't say if the stud could be removed easily.

[Synchronizor]

Glad to hear you took the effort to do things right, RomeoPapa. Thanks for sharing.

I bought my Wilson +1 extension used from MStarmer, who had removed the sling plate. I actually prefer it this way; if I'm hunting or carrying in the woods for protection, I use a magazine cap with a sling stud, and if I actually need to do some serious fighting, I'll be using my +2 or +3 extensions that have a sling stud in the bracket. I have no use for a sling inside my apartment, which is where I like to use the +1 extension, so simpler is better.