'1stazmilitia' - The Krag magazine-gate will normally take a fair amount of effort to open, due to spring pressure.

Rust, dirt, and old dried out grease will increase the effort.

You may need to clean the magazine parts and 'hinge' of old hardened lubricant.

A light lubrication of the 'hinge' parts, magazine-gate follower spring, and bearing surfaces should lessen required effort.

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