No.1 Mk.3 Cardinal Sin?

[greggordon52]

The barrel of my rifle lies in the center of the forearm until I press home the nosecap. Then it (the barrel) is pressed to the right side (when viewed from the receiver end). You can see how the barrel is pressed to the side as the nosecap is pressed on. This is the same whether the barrel lies unfettered in the forearm or when fully assembled. Please also note the receiver butts against the left side of the forearm while the right side has a .030 gap as per my delightful drawing.

So, my question is: Would it be a sin to widen the nosecap where the barrel pushes through? Or to sand and shim the forearm tip to move the entire nosecap left so the barrel end is not contacting the nosecap? Or yet another, better solution?

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[browningautorifle]

Have you shot it to see how it groups yet? I take it this is the same rifle you've spoken of previously?

[greggordon52]

Wow! What a memory. Yes it is the same piece mentioned before. I have not had the opportunity to shoot it extensively although a short session indicates it shoots pretty well.

A bit of history here...I bought this piece around 1998 and shot it, without tinkering, quite a bit (it was a decent shooter then). It has languished since in a closet and I have recently been struck with the COVID isolation fever and am trying to “improve” it. Does your question imply I should leave well enough alone? The same thought has occurred to me but I seem to have gotten caught up in improving it.

[browningautorifle]

I just wonder, if maybe assemble it and wring it out really well with some careful sandbag shooting to see what it will do. Factory ammo...have a look first.

[CINDERS]

May have a slight warp in the fore stock!

[greggordon52]

Thank you both for your input.

Re warped fore stock: How would one check that? Forgive me for asking before I actually think about it or research it first!

[browningautorifle]

How would one check that?

If you strip it out and hold it up for a look, the eyeball will see the warp/twist/curve in the barrel channel.

[greggordon52]

If there is a warp it is not visible to my naked eye.