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My 03A3 is developing a six inch, extremely narrow, crack running from the tang back along the top of the stock.
Right now the crack is so narrow that inserting epoxy would be extremely difficult.
I seek advice on when to pursue repair. Do I address the issue now or wait until the crack grows wider (and longer)?
dont shoot it anymore..
likely the recoil lug has broken the flat that sits behind it.
unless you repair the recoil plate area, it will crack again.
and or, the stock rear tang bushing is loose and or missing.
all those need to be in order, before you shoot the rifle in that stock again.
Would a good gunsmith would be advisable?
I have put a couple of thousand rounds through this rifle in
the past year. Could it be just old age for the stock?
Does the stock have pins through it? Or does it have screws? The pinned stocks will crack. Buying a new stock with screws is the way to go.
It has the pins. Right now I would like to repair the crack. If impractical, a new stock would be in order. Here is a picture or two:
[imgw]http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac188/gerstenr/100_0478.jpg[/imgw]
[imgw]http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac188/gerstenr/100_0477.jpg[/imgw]
A good Luthier (stringed instrument repair person) can fix it. However, the previous advice should be followed as well.
I will not shoot this rifle again until the stock is repaired/stabilized. I have seen
different repair techniques on this and the CMP forums. I am leaning towards the use of Cyanoacrylate adhesive. The trick will be getting it down the thin crack. I have read that tooth picks can be used to expand the crack a bit to allow the insertion of the adhesive.
I would like to put off replacing the stock for another year or so when I will also replace the barrel.
As Chuck in Denver mentioned, check the recoil lug area of the stock; it needs to be repaired as well. Unless your crack can easily be squeezed together with a clamp, it needs something like epoxy; it's beyond super glue. I had a stock with poor bedding and a bad crack and to preserve it, I relieved the wood under the tang, drilled a hole .375" dia & about 1.5" deep down into the grip at about a 45 degree angle. I mixed some Acraglass & bedded the recoil lug area, the crack, the tang area and then filled the hole with Acraglass mixed with sawdust to make a paste. That fixed everything & the stock is still sound. Good luck!
you can contact me outside the forum for my rates.
if its repaired correctly, it can never be used in a Garand or CMP match.
as the recoil plate has to be drilled pinned, and bedded.
the setback on the tang shows that the recoil plate is broken.
actually,
i take that back...i went back and looked real close at your pics...sorry my friend. your stock is toast.
that crack is too long to be safely repair for a shooter..
i dont recomend it be repaired, and shot..unless your real good at digging out splinters.
iv repaired many broken tangs....this one is a done deal...:{
just wanted to show you how big the gap at the rear tang should be compared to yours, and the area thats likely damaged.
then letting the rifle set back into the tang, cracking the stock.
id bet if you took your rifle out of the stock, its missing the rear tang bushing, and the recoil plate is set back a bit.