Mossberg M44 (GI) mag dissassembly: how?

[amb]

Hi, all. In one of my less-wise moments I bought some Mossberg M44 magazines from the CMP to go with my M44US. They've got 60 years of gummy crud on them and desperately need a good cleaning, but I am completely baffled as to how they come apart. Anyone? It looks just like this one (out of the Midway catalog), except without the big shortening screw:

Thanks for any clues!

 

[FPrice]

I think that you first push down on the magazine follower with a blunt object (that will fit inside the magazine body). When it's about halfway down, insert a thin metal probe through the holes on the side of the magazine to keep the spring compressed. You should then be able to lift the follower out and release the spring to take that out.

Clean and reassemble in the reverse order.