M1917 cracked stock

[dsk]

I have an M1917 (Remington receiver, mostly Eddystone parts) that used to be my father's, and it hasn't been shot in over a decade and also has been stored in a cool but relatively dry basement. I finally got a chance to thoroughly clean and inspect it the other day, and while the metal is okay the stock appears to be in fair condition. Some small chunks fell out of the inletting (there was moisture inside which also caused some minor rusting that I had to take care of), but worse yet I discovered this fine crack that extends back about an inch or so. There also was a crack between the ring that the receiver screw passes through and the long oval inletting that's in front of it. I'm not sure if these cracks were from the last time it was shot, or if it's due to the less than ideal storage. In any event, any guesses on whether or not the crack is a big deal or if I should now be on the lookout for a replacement stock? I want to get this old girl back on the firing line but also don't want to risk damaging it further if a new stock is going to be difficult to find.

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[mdoerner]

You can force some epoxy into the crack and compress it with surgical tubing wrapped around the wrist. Then you'll be good as new...

Mike D

[daveboy]

Gonna be difficult to get epoxy into that crack. You could try to remove the stock and with a small drill bit drill from the receiver tang back toward the buttplate. You would want to go the depth of the crack. Then, using a syringe you could try forcing some epoxy into the hole.

daveboy

[Chuckindenver]

only way to repair it right, it to strip and refinish the stock, or have someone that knows how to do it,
its missing a chunk behind the safety...more then a crack..id bet you have other issues ..loose screws, bent screws ect.

[dsk]

Like I said, chunks were falling out of the inletting, so I doubt this old stock can tolerate a major refinishing. The screws all seemed to be fine, but the wood clearly has absorbed moisture over the years. I guess I'm just going to have to keep my eyes peeled for a decent replacement stock. I've heard of the new ones from Boyd's, but I also heard their inletting is slightly off leaving a poor fit unless you're a talented woodsmith (I'm not).

[jamie5070]

Why not glass bed the action and see how it holds up?
john

[Chuckindenver]

for less money then a boyds POS, i could repair refinish that stock, and it would never crack again. at least not were i repaired it.

[Calif-Steve]

Boyd's is having problems with the M1917 wood. Pass on it. Have Chuck fix it.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I second having Chuck repair it. It'll function well and you'll save money, as well as the history and value of your rifle.

Boyds stocks are notorious for their poor fit and quality control. On top of that I think most modern replacement stocks on vintage rifles look as out of place as installing those huge wheels with spinning centers on a cherry 69 Mach I Mustang.

[dsk]

Hi Chuck,

I'll try to get you some better pics of the stock ASAP, and we'll go from there. Thanks.