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I'm looking for a finger groove stock for my M1903 (1918 SA) to replace the WWII stock it has. The finger groove stocks I have seen in eBay are mostly beat to H#** and cracked junk and seem to be going for too much money for what you get. The CMP is selling an S type finger groove stock set for a reasonable price. Are these any good or am I looking for trouble.:banghead:
Has anybody bought one? how did it look and fit?
TIA :cool:
The biggest concern (to me), is that it may not be inletted properly for the earlier Pre-WW2 actions, I think that the inletting was changed to a shallow and wide inlet where the tang goes to account for manufacturing variations during WW2. They may have had their reproduction stocks made to fit the 03A3's better.
Mr. Dad... I am thinking the same thing. I was looking at the website and figured that they may fit.
However, I am also looking over at Numrich for what they have! As noted, the Gunbroker stocks are rather spotty.
Midmichigun,
My son bought a "new USGI" S stock from Numrich and ended up returning it to get his money back. The stock was not only not new (it had been sanded):nono:, had a chunk missing at the tip (1" L X .25" D chip):banghead:, the magazine well stuck out proud of the bottom of the stock ( probably due to the sanding):bitch: and had numerous dings and depressions due to long term storage........ :thdown:
Mr. Dad
Thanks for the input... Geez... doesn't sound too good!
Stocks are a tough thing!
Midmichigun,
Received the CMP "S" stock set today. The stock set is made by Boyds and it is very nice. The hand guard is not inlet for the two spring clips and I have a call to CMP to see what's up (either the hand guard is defective or I'll have add the inlets). The stock needs the usual sanding and bedding work since it is a little fat, but it is a very nice looking piece of lumber! :D
No need to worry, my SA #995xxx (1918) dropped into to the CMP stock perfectly.Quote:
Originally Posted by P-07ShortLee
---------- Post added at 08:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 AM ----------
I emailed the CMP about the no inlet handguards some time back. They said they were manufactured that way since it cost less and there was no real need for the clips anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dad
Hey Eagle,
Dropped the barreled action (SA 1918 S/N 9598XX, with 4-18 original barrel ) into the new stock and the fit is perfect!
Looks like the only sanding needed is to the exterior to get the forward and lower bands to fit properly and there was a little interference with the bolt handle and cutoff in the down position ( a couple of passes with 180 grit took care of those).
Nice to know about the hand guard, I'll think about adding the inlets for the spring clips, I just like the look.....
:cheers:
Pictures... pictures.... pictures.... :)
I just slapped it together for some quick pics. Stock is not oiled yet and a lot of parts are not installed on the weapon for this pic session.
Very nice! I'm impressed. You made a wise decision.
Have you shopped for a set of stock bolts, yet? I think I'm going to need a set for an upcoming project. Anybody know the best place to look?
The stock came with the stock bolts installed. I took them off to apply BLO to the inside of the holes, they are now back on and tightened. :cheers:
Mr. Dad,
Great pics! :)
I am considering the comb in your pictures.
I have SA receiver #1203552. Research has turned up that a "type 5" 1903 stock would be appropriate for my application (http://www.trfindley.com/origstmps/m1903guidea.jpg) ... however as you know, it is tough to find stocks that are in good repair of this type of vintage... beggers can't be choosers! :)
I certainly think that the CMP stock that you have is an awesome looking chunk of wood. I will look look into the features from your posted pics, and really think this through!
Great photos... and a fine looking rifle!
@Mike, I have seen the cross bolts at Numrich (egunparts) however, I know nothing about them!
Numrich Gun Parts Corp. - The World's Largest Supplier of Firearms Parts and Accessories
Perhaps an expert can weigh in with an opinion!
Hey Michigun,
Thanks for the kind words!
The CMP "S" Stock is closer to a "Type 4" profile but the difference is the shape of the stock comb ( you really have to look real close…).
The CMP stock as received seem to have a light stain applied along with possibly a light application of BLO, overall a very nice unit well machined and finished.
It came well packaged and the delivery and customer support from CMP were excellent!
The barreled action literally snapped into the stock, it is that precisely machined! The butt plate, trigger guard, rear swivel bracket fitted with the same ease.
The only parts of the stock that needed a bit of finish sanding to fit were the mounting surfaces for front band (bayonet band) and the lower band. The magazine cutoff lever and the bolt arm needed a little relief sanding to close completely without hitting wood (couple of hits with some sandpaper), and the corner of the lower band spring would not sit flush with the surface of the stock due to a rounded vs a square cornered recess end (exacto knife took care of that).
You do have to either salvage or buy a new rear trigger guard screw bushing, milled lower band spring, and hand guard clips (if you want to fit them the provided hand guard needs to be inlet for them). The stock has a large brass bushing installed where the rear trigger guard screw goes thru and you are supposed to install the original bushing inside of it.
Right now everything is back in pieces, I inlet the hand guard for the clips (just had to do it!) and it and the stock have two coats of BLO followed by two coats (so far) of Tung oil with some 0000 steel wool polishing in between top remove "whiskers".
Hope to have everything back together within the next week or two…….
D.:beerchug:
Little late to this party, as I am a new guy to these boards.
Here is a pictures a another Dupage Finger Groove. I picked this one up right at Dupage's in Chandler. I stained it with Trans-Tint Dye and Alcohol to match a USGI Handguard. The buttplate needed to be sanded flush, but I find I actually like doing that type of work, inletting was pretty good. Had to do a little around the tang to get it to drop, and around the recoil block. After that it was a little more for tang clearance to avoid any cracks.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...41903005-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...41903011-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...41903008-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...41903009-1.jpg
Roadking...
Wow... that is a nice looking stock!
I looked at Boyds (I am told that Dupage just remarkets Boyds) and couldn't find 1903's listed.
I think that Boyds also makes the CMP stock?????
Regardless, nice looking wood! Don't forget to give us a full cover story (complete with markings) of your rifle!
Midmichigun, Roadkingtrax, LeagleEagle, P-07ShortLee, Mike D, etc;
I finished (for now) my 1918 s/n 9598XX M1903 (you guys know no rifle project is ever finished...). The restocking with the CMP "S" stock went along without a hitch. I did add the hand guard clips and that turned out great. The CMP stock is made by Boyds (even if it does not show in the Boyds web site) must be a CMP special? Here are some pics. :cheers:
Wow Dad and RoadKingTrax. Nice rifles and stocks. Those are truly beauties! Dad, did you repark yours?
Nice rifle DAD, you have more talent then me on the clip grooves. Since WW2 replacement guards are still cheap and available...I just use those instead of the NEW ones from Boyd's, Dupage or CMP.
Dupage contracts Boyd's to build stocks to their requirements...then sells them to the CMP to use or sell. Carbine, Garand Birch and new walnut and all the 1903 stocks.....but I'm sure you all knew that already.
Too bad I sold that rifle, or really traded it for a nice Carbine. It was a 1934, with correct barrel and mirror bore. All correct era parts...and a nice fine hatch buttplate I should have kept.
Thanks guys can't wait to go shooting with it!
islandhopper,
Nope, did not re-park, original finish except for re-blue on the bands and other details. I do still have the original straight handle bolt, but CMP says they are not safe to fire so that is why the replacement bolt. It does still have the original barrel! :D
Roadkingtrax,
I have an original hight hump hand guard but I used the Boyds hand guard because the wood matched the Boyds stock better in both color and grain. :thup:
D. :cheers:
I was going to order one of the CMP S stocks, but their web page shows them as out of stock. :lol: