I have a 12 gauge Winchester Model 50 and the buttstock is slightly loose on the action. I believe I need to tighten the closing spring tube but it seems that requires a special wrench. Any ideas where I can find that wrench? I've already checked the usual places. Any other ideas about tightening the stock?

Make your own.I made mine from a 13/16 socket.

Make sure the receiver extension is not loose at the receiver end before you tighten the tube. There is no commercial source for the wrench that I know of. It is fairly easy to make one if you are handy with a file and hacksaw.

OB

I also made a spanner wrench out of a 13/16ths socket for my model 50. For a quick fix you can cave-man it and use the tips of a needle nose plier. Either way you go about it just make sure to reset the depth of the plug screw in the center. 50s can be very finicky if the "timing" is off.

The one gun I truly wished I hadn't let go: bought it new, treated me well, softest recoil I can remember. It could be shot with one hand like a pistol.

Get the Model 50/59 manual reprint, it will tell you all need to know about adjusting the Model 50.

To reset the timing on your model 50 once you get everything tightened back up just remove the wire clip that prevents the plug screw from backing out, turn the screw in three or four turns, then pull the bolt back. It shouldn't lock in the open position. Now back out that screw a quarter turn at a time until the bolt will lock in the rearward position. From this point just back the screw out one and a quarter to one and a half turns and reinstall the wire clip.