Loose buttstock on wire-wrap SMLE

[tatou]

Hey all,

I have a 1949 GRI No1 Mk3* that's wire wrapped. It's developed a loose buttstock - I can twist it from side to side - and I'd like to tighten it...I can see the screw in the trapdoor, but everything I've read suggests to remove the forend before tightening it.

Is it safe to tighten on a wire wrap without removing the forend, since I don't think I can remove the forend in this case?

Cheers

While it is true that you normally ALWAYS remove the fore end before tightening or removing the butt stock screw, the fact that you have an 1949 Ishapore MIGHT be the exception.
Ishapore did away with that problem in the 1930's (if my memory is right) and introduce the back reinforcing strap instead of the bolt stock keeper plate.
IF you have that ''strap'' at the back of your fore end it means you also have the shorter butt stock bolt.
Attachment 112326

Ishapore is well known for recycling and reusing their older stocks so i would strongly suggest you post a picture of your rifle with the same area i just showed you and have guys visually confirm this to you before you attempt anything.

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[boot]

While it is true that you normally ALWAYS remove the fore end before tightening or removing the butt stock screw, the fact that you have an 1949 Ishapore MIGHT be the exception.
Ishapore did away with that problem in the 1930's (if my memory is right) and introduce the back reinforcing strap instead of the bolt stock keeper plate.
IF you have that ''strap'' at the back of your fore end it means you also have the shorter butt stock bolt.
Attachment 112326

Ishapore is well known for recycling and reusing their older stocks so i would strongly suggest you post a picture of your rifle with the same area i just showed you and have guys visually confirm this to you before you attempt anything.

Thanks tatou, this is useful info! Here's a pic of the area, looks similar to the one you posted, which I assume means it has the 'strap'?

[tatou]

That's great, it is the ''Strap'' indeed.
That means your butt stock bolt should not stick out pass the butt socket (the metal part where the GRI 1949 stamp is)
You should still be cautious though... you never know who ''played'' with your rifle and what they might have done.
I would suggest removing the butt stock bolt first, rather than tightening it.
Take it out completely out and make sure the tip is rounded and NOT square.
A round tip means it is the right bolt.
You should also look into the hole and see if you have a ''spring washer''
If you don't i suggest you get one.
Attachment 112331
In addition of making sure the bolt doesn't protrudes into your fore end, it will also help to prevent your butt stock from loosening again.
Finally when you screw everything back together, make sure the ''gap''' between the strap and the butt socket doesn't open up... it would mean the bolt is pushing on it.