CMP M1903 "S" finger groove stock

[Mike D]

Very nice! I'm impressed. You made a wise decision.

Have you shopped for a set of stock bolts, yet? I think I'm going to need a set for an upcoming project. Anybody know the best place to look?

[Dad]

The stock came with the stock bolts installed. I took them off to apply BLO to the inside of the holes, they are now back on and tightened.

[Midmichigun]

Mr. Dad,
Great pics!
I am considering the comb in your pictures.
I have SA receiver #1203552. Research has turned up that a "type 5" 1903 stock would be appropriate for my application (http://www.trfindley.com/origstmps/m1903guidea.jpg) ... however as you know, it is tough to find stocks that are in good repair of this type of vintage... beggers can't be choosers!
I certainly think that the CMP stock that you have is an awesome looking chunk of wood. I will look look into the features from your posted pics, and really think this through!
Great photos... and a fine looking rifle!

@Mike, I have seen the cross bolts at Numrich (egunparts) however, I know nothing about them!
Numrich Gun Parts Corp. - The World's Largest Supplier of Firearms Parts and Accessories

Perhaps an expert can weigh in with an opinion!

[Dad]

Hey Michigun,

Thanks for the kind words!

The CMP "S" Stock is closer to a "Type 4" profile but the difference is the shape of the stock comb ( you really have to look real close…).

The CMP stock as received seem to have a light stain applied along with possibly a light application of BLO, overall a very nice unit well machined and finished.

It came well packaged and the delivery and customer support from CMP were excellent!

The barreled action literally snapped into the stock, it is that precisely machined! The butt plate, trigger guard, rear swivel bracket fitted with the same ease.

The only parts of the stock that needed a bit of finish sanding to fit were the mounting surfaces for front band (bayonet band) and the lower band. The magazine cutoff lever and the bolt arm needed a little relief sanding to close completely without hitting wood (couple of hits with some sandpaper), and the corner of the lower band spring would not sit flush with the surface of the stock due to a rounded vs a square cornered recess end (exacto knife took care of that).

You do have to either salvage or buy a new rear trigger guard screw bushing, milled lower band spring, and hand guard clips (if you want to fit them the provided hand guard needs to be inlet for them). The stock has a large brass bushing installed where the rear trigger guard screw goes thru and you are supposed to install the original bushing inside of it.

Right now everything is back in pieces, I inlet the hand guard for the clips (just had to do it!) and it and the stock have two coats of BLO followed by two coats (so far) of Tung oil with some 0000 steel wool polishing in between top remove "whiskers".

Hope to have everything back together within the next week or two…….

D.

[Roadkingtrax]

Little late to this party, as I am a new guy to these boards.

Here is a pictures a another Dupage Finger Groove. I picked this one up right at Dupage's in Chandler. I stained it with Trans-Tint Dye and Alcohol to match a USGI Handguard. The buttplate needed to be sanded flush, but I find I actually like doing that type of work, inletting was pretty good. Had to do a little around the tang to get it to drop, and around the recoil block. After that it was a little more for tang clearance to avoid any cracks.

[Midmichigun]

Roadking...
Wow... that is a nice looking stock!
I looked at Boyds (I am told that Dupage just remarkets Boyds) and couldn't find 1903's listed.
I think that Boyds also makes the CMP stock?????
Regardless, nice looking wood! Don't forget to give us a full cover story (complete with markings) of your rifle!

[Dad]

Midmichigun, Roadkingtrax, LeagleEagle, P-07ShortLee, Mike D, etc;

I finished (for now) my 1918 s/n 9598XX M1903 (you guys know no rifle project is ever finished...). The restocking with the CMP "S" stock went along without a hitch. I did add the hand guard clips and that turned out great. The CMP stock is made by Boyds (even if it does not show in the Boyds web site) must be a CMP special? Here are some pics.

[islandhopper]

Wow Dad and RoadKingTrax. Nice rifles and stocks. Those are truly beauties! Dad, did you repark yours?

[Roadkingtrax]

Nice rifle DAD, you have more talent then me on the clip grooves. Since WW2 replacement guards are still cheap and available...I just use those instead of the NEW ones from Boyd's, Dupage or CMP.

Dupage contracts Boyd's to build stocks to their requirements...then sells them to the CMP to use or sell. Carbine, Garand Birch and new walnut and all the 1903 stocks.....but I'm sure you all knew that already.

Too bad I sold that rifle, or really traded it for a nice Carbine. It was a 1934, with correct barrel and mirror bore. All correct era parts...and a nice fine hatch buttplate I should have kept.

[Dad]

Thanks guys can't wait to go shooting with it!

islandhopper,
Nope, did not re-park, original finish except for re-blue on the bands and other details. I do still have the original straight handle bolt, but CMP says they are not safe to fire so that is why the replacement bolt. It does still have the original barrel!

Roadkingtrax,
I have an original hight hump hand guard but I used the Boyds hand guard because the wood matched the Boyds stock better in both color and grain.

D.