Winchester Model 12 Takedown Help

[dotfortune]

Before you ask:
- yes I've looked at multiple YouTube videos on how to break down the M12
- Googlefu hasn't turned up a digital copy of the M12 owner's manual

With that out of the way, I'm having difficulty taking down the M12 for more detailed cleaning. I've tried going through the full range of rotation of the takedown pin on the magazine tube, but can't seem to find the sweetspot to remove the tube and fore end.


I've come to the conclusion:
- the magazine tube is just really stuck, and I don't have the strength to pull it off.
- there is a crack in the magazine tube which is only cosmetic in function; maybe there's something involving it preventing easy removal?
- I'm just consistently missing the proper position for the pin to be in, in order for it to be taken down.

If anyone has a digital copy of the manual, any insight on the issue, or can demonstrate the exact position the pin should be for removal of the tube and fore end, I'd appreciate your input!

Takedown Pin

Crack in Mag Tube

Different view

[Nihonto Chicken]

If anyone has a digital copy of the manual, any insight on the issue, or can demonstrate the exact position the pin should be for removal of the tube and fore end, I'd appreciate your input!

Give the below WWII military manual a shot, converted to a .pdf file that covers all the combat shotguns of the time, including the Winchester Model 12:

https://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/wwIItms/TM9_285_1942.pdf

Good luck with your shotgun!

[arrowshooter]

The pin rotates to stop then pull. Stupid question, you loosened that pinch screw right?

[dotfortune]

Give the below WWII military manual a shot, converted to a .pdf file that covers all the combat shotguns of the time, including the Winchester Model 12:

https://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/wwIItms/TM9_285_1942.pdf

Good luck with your shotgun!

Bless you. Will give it a shot and update later.

The pin rotates to stop then pull. Stupid question, you loosened that pinch screw right?

No such thing as a stupid question! I've seen YT videos say everything from "a quarter-turn" to "rotate until it stops", so I've literally gone a few degrees at a time pulling. No dice.

By "pinch screw", I assume you mean the one in the band securing the mag tube to the barrel?

Because if you do, I feel like a goober for not thinking of loosening that up and trying again

[arrowshooter]

By "pinch screw", I assume you mean the one in the band securing the mag tube to the barrel?

Because if you do, I feel like a goober for not thinking of loosening that up and trying again

That's the one. LOL I only say it because something just might be buggered up enough to keep the tube from sliding forward.

You may have seen this vid already, but this guy turns pin 1/4 turn and it comes apart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebQ1rWxOVgo