Scant Stock Question

I was at a match on Sunday and a guy had a truck full of "stuff", selling it off for a friend. Lots of M14 stocks and handguards, M1 Garand Ammo pouches (said I should have been at the swap meet last weekend...). Anyway he shows me a Scant stock marked "A3". The price is right so I get it and a "C-Tip" M1 Carbine sling (unmarked). Now the question is do I transfer my shooter M1903A3 and stock metal to this stock or get Sarco's reproduction stock metal for $60 and leave the old stock alone? It is strictly a shooter and the receiver has previous scope mounting holes Tig'd up so all value is off the table. Does anybody have any experience with the Sarco kit?

Thank you,

Dave

original is always the best way to go, Sarco sells crap . not even walnut...

I've been debating purchasing one of those metal kits myself, which are reported to be mostly reproduction parts. I have bought some of their spring and screw kits, which also contain some repro parts and the quality is hit or miss. But original parts can be tough to find, especially if you need it "now." Even on eBay it can be very expensive and time-consuming to track down original parts, so I'd say take a chance on the Sarco kit. You can always return it if it's total garbage.

Chuck,

The rifle came from you, so all the stuff on it is legit for sure. I guess my question is that is it worth the time to transfer the metal bits from the S stock to this Scant stock or work on getting the real items here and there and leave the other stock alone? The Scant is nothing special but as I said, the price was right. The Sarco kit is inexpensive but there is a reason it is. Time is not the issue but it can get spendy when a real screw goes for $5, a but plate for $25 etc. It is a shooter and not an investment but I appreciate your feelings on junk parts. Maybe I only need a few items and the rest will just transfer over.

Thanks,

Dave

Of interest perhaps only to shooters: a little-noticed fact about the "scant" stocks is that critical dimensions --drop at the comb and heel-- are the same as the "C" stock. The straight-grip "S" stock has quite a bit more drop and from some positions is much less comfortable to shoot.

M

I like my Scant Stock and it likes me. Very happy with it. That said, you do realize Scrapco parts kits will be mostly Chinese junk. Pass on them and by the way returning stuff to them is a real pain. Pass, pass, pass on Scrapco. Try you local Gunshow for real GI parts.

Thanks for all the replies. After a bit of thought, I checked and I have an extra barrel band spring, and just moving the buttplate and lower sling swivel is probably all I need to do so less parts than I thought. I will give it a rip this week and see how the action fits before moving the BP and swivel. Mike, my main goal was that change in stock drop. There are days my neck gets a real kink so I am looking forward to a more comfortable position. The stock seems a bit dry, should I do any linseed oil once I get a good fit?

Dave

One or two drops of Linseed Oil in the palm of your hand. Small amounts rubbed in over the next two-three weeks, take your time. Good luck with the project.

Made the switch today. Fit is pretty good but the rear near the Tang sits up higher than with the "S" stock. The muzzle is off the forend when everything is tightened up. If I shim under the Tang, I get good muzzle up pressure. The bushing is in place. The trigger may be dragging wood a bit, not as smooth as before. The Tang screw may not be in the threaded area as much but I need to check this out. The cutoff screw touches the top of the stock. There may be more forend contact early but the rest of the barrel has plenty of clearance. I have lots of time to think before I try any sanding/fitting moves. It was getting too hot in the shop so enough for today. I'll try to get some pics posted when things cool off.

Dave

the proud at the rear tang is done for a reason,
to cure the stock damage from the tang eating into that area..some are bigger then others...shoot it, after a few rounds, check your screws..and leave it.
like others have said,, the parts sets from sarco are crap.. save your money and buy real G.I.

Chuck, as it turned out, I only needed to switch the butt plate and rear swivel, no parts needed. I just shortened the rear bushing 1/8" per your recommendation as it was above and below the wood. I assume that the crease should go to the front of the stock. However, I just got a sporter M1903a3 with a killer "C" stock that Bubba took $300 off the front of. Remington action and four groove barrel, Williams front and rear barrel sights, blued and shortened. It has a M1903a3 peep on the back but the receiver is tapped for two screws over the chamber. Not sure about the dovetail. I also got a NOS 2 groove RA-44 barrel too. Now I'm thinking put some money into the sporter and put it into the Scant stock with a scope. You may have some work coming your way.

Dave