Winchester receiver cracked

Hey there, have several Carbines that I shoot regularly, recently had a Winchester M1 carbine I've had for several years crack right down the right side all the way through. I regularly replace my springs if they need it or not and only shoot surplus CMP ammo. I do a bit of welding and have done a ton of rewelds over the years and I cant see a single sign that it was a demill or reweld at anytime. I may be able to weld, but I'm not comfortable enough to take on this one myself and getting the heat treat right. Anyone out there recommend someone for a repair? Is this a known issue? Id love to get this sweetheart shooting again.


Uggghhh! :(

Attachment 116444

Attachment 116443

Hi Inja.... Welcome to Milsurps

What serial range is it ?
Is this a Detachable Spring tube ? Hole drilled completely thru for the Op Slide stop pin ?
Could you post a few more pictures..... 1 of the top of the Slide rail ledge and 1 showing under the slide rail with the stock removed ?

Then maybe 1 more with the crack highlighted with chalk or something so we can better see the extent of it.
Currently... For me, It's hard to make out how far and direction of the crack.

Thx,

I had a Winchester early number crack along the bolt track on the other side of the receiver years ago. I took it to be a sign of metal fatigue and scrapped it. Six digit...but it's time was up.

Chuck in Denver comes to mind. I bought a M1903a3 from him that he welded up the D&T holes in the receiver. You can see them, but the rifle has been a joy to shoot. He will give you the straight answer: either he can fix it or you have to scrap it.

Dave

That's a shame. Not sure how fixable that is, and then having the confidence in it going forward. If it were mine, I'd just find a new receiver. Check for Colin in the CMP forum parts for sale section, good guy.

I like Charlie would like to see more pictures of the area. It does appear to be in a non stressed area if it's into the recoil spring area.

Look at the second picture and right click your mouse on it. Select VIEW IMAGE or OPEN IMAGE IN A NEW WINDOW. When it opens hold down your CNTL button and scroll your mouse wheel forward. It zooms the image. You can use substitute the up arrow for the mouse wheel to zoom in. His receiver is pretty effed. It can be fixed but will it be worth it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by painter777

Hole drilled completely thru for the Op Slide stop pin ?

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I was wondering if the crack started from the Slide pin hole (If drilled completely thru) That's why I was asking if it's a Detach Spring tube.
The slide track looks really dry, sorta screaming for some lube. But too late for that now. Notice the stock wood damage near the dismount notch?
Wonder if that slide had been jumping out of the track.
Be interesting to see inside the Cam area of the Op slide where it fits the right bolt lug.
Guess none of this matters now after blowing the picture up.
@ Inja, Did a 'Event' happen or did you just notice this one day ?

@Ten,
Remember the pictures you showed with the splits on top of the receiver right side ?
How you pointed out that this was the thinnest area on a receiver.

We've seen receivers tossed because of chipped left locking shoulders.
This was looks like it was hit by metal frags.
Best to part the gun out or look for another receiver IMO.
There just isn't a lot of metal there even when undamaged, as Ten's examples showed us.

**** I found the Link to a post on The CCC Forum. Covering areas that split and causes.
In this link is where TEN posted pictures of the thinnest areas on a receiver that crack.
Very much worth reading for any Carbine owner. It was posted to start with by Jim Mock, with added replies and observations from many collectors.

Cracked Bolts, Slides and Receivers - The Carbine Collector's Club - Page 1