Shotgun receiver crack - thoughts/options?

[turps]

I have a Remington Sportsman 58 which I purchased last year. On my first trip with it for upland game, it failed to extract a shell, which required some force to manually eject. Later on, I noticed a small crack, forward of the ejection port. I have tried to take some pictures to illustrate.

http://i.imgur.com/JV36TDy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TQyVtTg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/g3Ere6q.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/13sPDH5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RA0B18B.jpg

What I'm wondering:
- is this something to worry about? (I suspect it is)
- can this be fixed?
- if not, given the low likelihood of finding a 58 receiver that doesn't also have similar issues, can either 870 or 1100 receivers be made to work with the rest of the action/trigger group, etc?

The pictures of the inside of the receiver are not great, but it sort of looks like a similar problem was already fixed up once before (which probably also explains the flat/paint finish on the top of the receiver).

This gun points so nicely, is light and has great balance. I'd really like to be able to keep using it, if possible.

 

[rodregier]

Exploded view and parts list if you need it

ht tp://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Remington-33454/Shotguns-37896/SPT58-41231.htm

 

[rodregier]

I'm not advocating this, but it is "a" solution.

ht tp://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=90510

top_cat writes:

"I had a 58 in 12ga "back in the day". Great gun. It is claimed that the 12ga guns would get a crack in the receiver at the back of the ejection port - not all guns. This was dealt with by drilling a small hole right at the end of the crack, terminating it. Remington slotted the 1100 receiver (essentially the same as the 58 ) in the same place to forestall cracking.

In my opinion the cracking was brought about by shooting "mega magnums" in a gun was was designed before they became available. "

ht tp://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-161725.html

JimKirk
March 14, 2009, 10:58 PM

The Crack in the ejection port can be stopped if it is caught early ...simply drill a very very small hole in the recevier at the stock end of the crack! Be sure only to drill thru the recevier wall not anything else. I have drilled several myself ...so far the cracks have not progressed any farther.

 

[gunrunner100]

The crack is forward, where the barrel tenon engages the receiver. If I read correctly, the explanation and direction for drilling is for aft of the ejection port.
Might be an idea to consult with a very experienced welder. By using a heat sink and some heat stop paste, you may be able to fix it without altering the integrity of the receiver.