No4 Mk1* stock split

[Heretical Politik]

I recently purchased a Savage No4 Mk1*, manufactured some time between late 43 and early 44. Receiver, magazine, bolt, and stock numbers matching. Looked to be a fine rifle at the gun show. I cleaned it up, took it out to the range, and put about 60 rounds through it over the course of several hours. I could barely hold 12 inches off a rest. Took it home and broke it all down again; I had missed a split in the forearm, just ahead of the receiver ring. Split runs vertically down the middle, all the way through to the rear of the trigger guard inlet, and the only thing holding it together is the plate pinned at the back of the forearm. I'm guessing this is my main issue, there could be others.

My question: is it time to just go ahead and replace the stock, or can this be glued and clamped back together (seems to me this is an awful place for a crack to form)? My rifle isn't exceptionally valuable, but it is a piece of history. I'm guessing whoever owned this before me shot it once or twice, and tossed it in the back of the safe, convinced it was a piece of crap. I'm more stubborn. I know it's a good rifle, the barrel looks ok, just a touch of minor pitting and not so bright, but the rifling stands proud. I'd like this to be a decent range gun, and maybe even an occasional deer rifle, while preserving the history as much as humanly possible. Advice please.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Ridolpho]

H. Politik: If I'm getting the right picture you have a pretty common issue. Take a few hours (days) and search within the forum for threads related to forend repair- there are lots and lots. If you study up you can probably repair it yourself, if so inclined. Sdaly, I seem to find serious forend issues in approx one out of three No. 1 and No. 4 Rifles I purchase. I've been bale to repair a few that I thought were finished thanks to the info here. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Ridolpho

[Heretical Politik]

H. Politik: If I'm getting the right picture you have a pretty common issue. Take a few hours (days) and search within the forum for threads related to forend repair- there are lots and lots. If you study up you can probably repair it yourself, if so inclined. Sdaly, I seem to find serious forend issues in approx one out of three No. 1 and No. 4 Rifles I purchase. I've been bale to repair a few that I thought were finished thanks to the info here. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Ridolpho

Thought a photo might help:

[mr.e moose]

Acetone or brake cleaner to clean the split of oils and a good wood glue will return your fore-stock to a good usable condition.

[Ridolpho]

HPolitik: That crack in that location may not be a big deal but you did mention seeing the crack "ahead of the receiver ring". That is a crack mode that the Indians tried to mitigate with the so-called "Ishapore screw" which they inserted through the forend just ahead of the receiver ring. You'll find an excellent article in the Knowledge Library of the forum by Peter Laidler describing replacement of the screw by a hardwood dowel. Might be something you could consider for stabilizing your forend. You should also look up threads about the "draws" area of the forend as the condition of the "draws" is very important. More pictures would help and you'll probably get some feedback from people far, far more informed than myself.

Ridolpho

[flying pig]

The 'damned crack' is definitely your issue. I have a Parker-Hale converted No1 sporter here doing exactly the same thing. It strings vertically all over the map in about a 14" spread, and I know it's not me because I had just shot a sub 2" group with my Long Branch No4 a few moments before. I've never been able to get the glue itself to work well enough to get it to hold. I have a small collection of oak pieces here I'm saving for draw repairs and for replacing sections of fore ends with the damned crack. I would definitely look into going this route.