1899 Remington Lee

[jmoore]

Magazine and single shot loading details in this post:

The Remington !899 works well as a single loader with the magazine removed, due to a spring loaded, auto-retracting cartridge loading plate. Just drop a round in the port and close the bolt.


#8a1)


#8a2) Note the large area devoted to the single loading platform on the lower half of the action body.


#8a3) The single loading platform from the front (inverted).


#8a4) Interiior side view of the single loading platform.


#8b) Bottom view showing the single loading platform blocking the magazine well sufficiently to keep rounds from falling through when the magazine is removed.




However, loading from the magazine is easy. Unlike the Lee-Enfield, the "drop free" single stack magazine of the Remingtons requires the user to remove the magazine in order to refill it. Inserting the individual rounds is accomplished much like a .22 rimfire box magazine in that each round is introduced to the magazine body just forward of the rear feed lips, pressed down, and then slid to the rear. Repeat up to five times to fully fill the magazine.


#8c)

Then just press the full magazine home until the magazine catch (located in the trigger guard area like all turnbolt Lees) locks it in place.


#8d) The usual Lee magazine set-up. Mag catch and sear work off the same "U" shaped spring.

The magazine itself utilizes a single "U" shaped follower spring as first seen on the 1882 model. It's a little different in that the 1899 model's spring is made of two thin layers. Mine is happy in it's mag body, so i did not remove it.


#8e)


#8e.1) The 1885 model magazine spring as removed from the magazine body as general example of the type used in the 1899s as well. Note that it also functions as a "bump stop" for cartridge noses- protecting the soft housing metal. (Not a real issue with lead bullets).


#8f)



#8g)


#8h)


#8i)


#8j)