Remington 58

[Rogmatt]

My 13 yr old son bought this with his birthday money to restore.
Questions:
What is this choke? Is a piece missing. Can I unscrew this?
Does the magazine tube seperate from the receiver?
I would like to take the bolt out to clean. I have tore down 870 and removed slides & bolt but this is first time to tear down a semi-auto.
The inside of tube and receiver very dirty, can I soak in gas like I have done to single shots & pump receivers. Barrel is 23" then 26 with the choke. Any info would be appreciated. Wood is OK & we will totally strip & refinish. Price marked was 79.95.
I paid a total of 75.00. Barrel says 2 3/4" only. photos below

[dangerranger]

The choke is an adjustable unit that is missing its outer ring. the ring is screwed in to tighten the choke. look the choke over well for a manufactures name if you hope to find a replacement. the choke is probably an after market unit. Choke installation is probably a gunsmith operation but you could saw it off  to make it shootable. Hastings also used to make replacement barrels for these but they were about 200 ten yrs ago.I have a fixed choke model. If I look far enough Ill find the orig instructions that came with it. but you can probably find a parts breakdown in gunparts web site. somewhere in the instructions I read " Do not oil the gas tube or piston."I also would not soak in gasoline. The additaves leave a residue when dry that turns hard. A good solvent should dry clean. One thats made for guns wont harm finishes.i've never removed the bolt from mine I use a spray cleaner to blast out the gunk that builds up in there.The take down nut shown in your pics has an adjustment for high and low base shells. make share the ports stay clean for best operation.Mine has served us well for nearly 50 yrs. Dad bought it new between 1955 and 59. Its served our family well on many hunting trips over the yrs.My son is 14 and its about to be passed to him. Just this year hes developed the arm strength to hold it up. [hes a little on the short side.] good luck

[Rogmatt]

What about cleaning the mage tube where the springs and piston is. Maybe just spray with high pressure solvent and let dry?

[gunnut69]

I wouldn't saw off the Chole until I was possitive I couldn't find a replacement for the adjuster sleeve.  Take it to a smith and see if the defunct choke device could be replaced.  These shotguns are a bear to take down.  I would blast it clean with a spray can cleaner.  I use Carberator clean.  Use the cheapest brand from WalMart as it contains no preservatives and thus will leave the least junk of the steel.  If the gun is really bad soak it in mineral spirits to loosen the crud.  I use that in my cleaner tank along with a quart of automatic transmission fluid for every 5-6 gallons of solvent.  Carb cleaner leaves absolutely NO oil on the steel.  It will rust PDQ so protect it!  Lube back with ATF and a tiny bit of synthetic hy pressure grease on the lug...  You don't want oil on the mag tube but a tiny bit on a rag and wipe down the steel won't hurt...  A good smith if he can't find a new sleeve may be able to fit a new adjustable choke or install choke tubes..

[smoji]

Since you've just bought this gun and are unfamiliar with its operation and, as you say, it is very dirty, I would advise you to take it to your 'smith and have him strip it out and clean it completely. He will also check for operational and safety problems while he has it torn down.
The dirt blaster concoctions are really good on guns that are regularly maintained but on a very dirty gun they just don't get it all.
You seem to have a good deal going, so put a little more with it to ensure your purchase is 100 per cent and you can be confident of your son's safety and enjoyment.

[Rogmatt]

Thanks gentleman, In case I did not mention, the barrell at the 19" point was bent slightly and the vent rib was bent down. I straightened it but the last few inches still vere off to the right a little. I have donated my Rem. 870 barrell 28" vr mod to my sons project. A gunsmith in Mich. who converts 870 barrels to 58 is going to drill the gas holes in it . Will cost me 27.00. I will find a replacement barrel for my 870 easier than we could find a new one fore this 58. The smith says he has done plenty of them with great success. Am shipping it off on Fri. The 870 barrel fits perfectly to the 58 except for no gas ports.

[Rogmatt]

The front of the stock seems to have soaked up some grease or oil because it is darker at the end and no matter how much I strip, it won't come off. I assume stain won't stick or penetrate, correct?? May have to replace.

[gunnut69]

soak the stock in acetone.  Be very careful, it's very flammable.  Don't leave it in too long as the acetone can destroy the wood fiber..

[dangerranger]

The 870 barrel will be easer to get chokes for and if its recent manufacture it will be of better steel.Im still looking for the O M, but I've never used any lube in the gas chamber . it attracts and holds debris. it doesnt sound right but its worked for all these years.

[Rogmatt]

I am donating the barrel from my 870 Wingmaster to my son's project. I am shipping it off today to have it drilled to fit the 58. It will be easier for me to find an 870 barrel replacement than to find a 58 barrel. Project is coming together. Will keep you informed and post photo when complete.

[John Traveler]

To clean out that oil-soaked stock, try brushing syrypy TSP solution on the wood and letting it dry.  Brush wout, rinse with warm water, and repeat.

That Tri Sodium Phosphate really dissolves and pulls oil out of the wood!

HTH
John

[Rogmatt]

Thanks John