Chances are that that crack goes all the way to the barrel. I would bet some one has been firing magnum loads from that gun.

 

see what you guys though.

I would not be looking forward to sending anything to Winchester.

F. Guffey

 

That’s a shame. 😕

The only thing that I know with certainty is that seeking help from Winchester is a waste of time. Sadly, Winchester today is little more than a brand name. The company, machinery, and workmen that produced your father’s shotgun exist only in memory.

With no real certainty I believe it’s safe to say that almost anything, including your shotgun, can be repaired if you find the right ‘smith and you have deep pockets.

I am NOT a handy, fix-it type guy, but I always stand back in amazement seeing what can be done in the hands of a true craftsman. Especially welders. Those who somehow manage to make a whole out of bits and pieces.

Back in the ‘60s when carbines and Garands were scarce, cut and smashed receivers were made whole. More recently the same has been done with the receivers of a wide variety of guns imported as cut up parts kits. It’s AMAZING what can be done.

Given the relatively low pressures involved I bet that your dad’s receiver could be welded. Finding the right welder and being willing to pay his fee, that’s the hard part.

Good luck. I hope it works out.

 

no point in contacting Winchester. only thing you can do is as Richard said; find a welder, "capable" to do the repair.

 

Like others have said, there is no real Winchester today. Your best bet is to find a replacement and keep this one as a wall hanger.

 

Pump shotguns are reasonably priced and I would just buy a new one. .Any receiver crack indicates a lack of receiver integrity for whatever reason., My eyesight and life are worth more than cobbling up a receiver crack.

Webley

 

My eyesight and life are worth more than cobbling up a receiver crack.

Webley

Big X2 on that !

 

Don't hurt to call Winchester, ask to send that photo to them.

I may get stoned but I think the last great pump shotgun from Winchester was the Model 12, everything since from Winchester has been pretty sad stuff. Model 12 receivers don't crack...nope, won't do it , its old school Made In USA.

 

That receiver looks like aluminum to me.

 

to me that looks like he needs to buy another shotgun and give that one a decent burial.

but if he intends to trailer park bubba repair it, he might need to re-check his health insurance or will

 

to me that looks like he needs to buy another shotgun and give that one a decent burial.

but if he intends to trailer park bubba repair it, he might need to re-check his health insurance or will

Great reposes guys! I have a 17-foot Old Town canoe and can always use another ANCHOR! Lol.

Webley

 

See wnat Win will do, maybe they will give you a gift card towards a new Win?
i would say buy another duplicate and now you have extra parts.
If not you can strip the parts and probably make enough selling them on ebay to break even

 

what model ?

and what year (serial number will tell)

they (Winchester factory authorized repair center) may be a help, but likely not since I would bet any warranty is long gone,


and as mentioned, Winchester is just a brand name, but it was made by someone under contract ,

so if no luck with the receiver, hang it on the wall, or part it out,
the parts have some value

 

what model winchester age ??

 

Firearms with a receiver crack were always CONDEMED during my military career. How can anyone refit such arms? How "good" is the weld? What is the need to correct a a serious defect?

Webley

 

YOu can always make a standing floor lamp out of it.

 

This shotgun was a win-lite model 59. As I understand it had a fiberglass wrapped barrel for weight and very likely had an aluminum receiver. It's not likely he was shooting mag loads out of it. Mostly because he only buys the cheap 100 boxes at Walmart for it.

 

rog,
Like I said, I can use a boat anchor. IF Winchester gives you a credit, well good for you. I never welded an alum receiver and never will. You are talking about a $500 shotgun. What is your sight or life worth/? You have a JUNK receiver. GO FISH!

Webley

 

contact gun parts they might buy it or sell a receiver for it good info here Winchester 12ga Cracked Receiver...

 

contact gun parts they might buy it or sell a receiver for it good info here Winchester 12ga Cracked Receiver...

gun parts corp ,,,,nah strip it and post the non regulated parts on Ebay you will make more.

 

Here is steel model 50 for sale,complete action.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/955817323/WINCHESTER-MODEL-50-12GA-COMPLETE-STEEL-RECEIVER-EXCELLENT.htm

 

@ $275 I would be looking for a complete gun

 

Couple of downsides with your pa's Model 59. Cracked aluminum receiver equals junk no mater what sort of sorcerer works his magic on it and it's too light to be of any use for the above mentioned boat anchor.
Upsides are its parts. Those barrels don't grow on trees and the furniture is scarce as well. Forend cracks were a thing with the Model 50, the 59's daddy, and to an extent the '59's suffered them as well. This shotgun and the 50 were the handiwork of 'Carbine Williams' and his 'floating chamber' and truth be told, was well ahead of the times. The 59 is a fun gun to shoot.

 

That gun is obsolete and has been out of production since the mid 1960's. Winchester won't be able to help your dad. The crack appears to be in the bottom of the receiver where the mag tube screws in, not where the barrel is. This happens sometimes if you try to remove the mag tube without heat and it splits the narrow band of metal. If the split didn't go all the way through it might be repairable by a competent TIG welder. But you'd then have to re-thread the repaired area.

 

It would be best to take it apart and look at it, but it hardly looks like total junk. Most aluminum can be welded successfully. I don't weld aluminum, but have cut and welded many steel receivers and bolts. A lot of steel receivers have to be re-heat treated. I seriously doubt that is the case with this. I mean, they started out with an aluminum receiver.

 

The Win-Lite semiauto 59 ended production in 1965. Winchester has been gone now for close to 20 years already. FN bought the Winchester name when Winchester went under. They made 82,000 of them so a receiver might be located. But other then that its a wall hanger.

 

It broke for a reason. Bury it and move on. Nothing is worth your eyesight or your life.

 

Folks anything can be repaired but can it be justified.If its sentimental value there are gunsmith that specialize in precision welding.
But you have to realize It won't be cheap.

Your dealing with disassemble, clean/prep,weld,recontour,polish,probably damage to serial number.Refinish receiver.
Reassemble.Your looking at $$$$ for a quality repair.

These receivers are prone to cracking in other areas too.No reason at all to look for anouther 59 .Looking for a model 50 yes.

Now if the OP can disassemble /reassemble ,maybe even cera coat or dura coat himself may be able to have it done cheap enough .

It will always be a repaired firearm ,never retaining value of original.

 

Before attempting any repair, all parts should be stripped from the receiver. For the best working surface, a steel table or a bench with metal covering should be procured. Perhaps the anvil ledge of a large bench vice will do. Place the receiver securely at the center of the supported surface and smash it with a hard and quick blow from a five pound sledge. Fixed.

Gloves, chaps and faceshield should be donned.

 

with an alloy receiver, strip as you say, put in a vice and crush, or put a big long wrench etc thru it and bend it,


better yet, just toss the thing in the recycle with the beer cans

 

Aluminum receiver = forget a repair; even though that crack is in the bottom.
I suspect there may be wear/cracks at other places in the receiver also.

Retire it, buy another- but I'd get a model with a steel receiver.

If we were "post apocalypse", and it was the last shotgun I had, maybe it could be reinforced, but would look like crap.

 

I don't know the lamp idea is growing on me .