Fixing a Cracked Win Model 50 Aluminum Receiver

Fairlane66

July 22, 2012 14:30

I have a Winchester Model 50 Featherweight Pigeon Grade shotgun with a cracked aluminum receiver. The crack is on top just behind where the barrel mates to the receiver and the flaw is about an inch long. I've contemplated parting out the gun, but hate to do it. Is there anyone out there who can fix the crack and anodize the receiver, thereby preserving this gun's integrity and value? If so, any idea what a repair of this sort might cost? Would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

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  charliemeyer007

  July 22, 2012 16:51

  http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=285797
  
  If it were mine and my my dad was still alive I'd trust him to weld it up. He was a true artist with a heliarc. That said it would in all likelyhood turn it into a shooter rather than a collecter. Besides maybe there is one out there that a horse rolled over that is good for parts.

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  Fairlane66

  July 22, 2012 19:44

  Thanks Charlie, I think that previous post probably sums it up. Sounds like the repairs, even if possible, would be too costly to make this a viable venture. I really hate to part out the gun, so I'll leave well enough alone for now. Unless someone else chimes in with another idea, I'll probably either: 1) hold onto the components and look for a Pigeon Grade receiver on GB; or 2) just swap out the cracked aluminum receiver for a steel spare that I have and enjoy the gun. Thanks again.

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  tsr1965

  July 23, 2012 07:04

  Fairlane66,
  
  Like has been suggested, any type of restoration would deplete the collector value. About the same as having a 30% condition 1886, and restoring it...even though it is beautiful, it is now a 0% originality specimen. The real collectors are all about originality.
  
  Best

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  v35

  July 23, 2012 12:40

  You will never match the structural integrity of the original aluminum receiver with welding, even followed by proper heat treatment.
  I wouldn't throw good money after bad.
  Put that effort into decorating a steel receiver to duplicate appearance of the aluminum one.
  Might Winchester have a spare frame sitting around somewhere in their repairs dept?

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