Bent Stock Help

[carwashchris]

Got this underwood stock and it seems to be bent in where it rubs on the slide { probably from a rubber band }. Any thoughts to what might be the best approach to straighting it out. {without it cracking }

Thanks Chris

Bent Stock Slideshow by carwashchris1 | Photobucket

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[USGI]

Was going to post a suggestion, but see that Frank is browsing this thread - he knows better than I ! - Bob

[RCS]

Years ago I found a nice I.P high wood stock in the Wisconsin barn wood, the stock was bent. I was told to place the stock in a wallpaper tray full of water with a brick on top for three or four days. I removed the stock after the time period and let it dry - it worked ! the stock would now fit a carbine

[carwashchris]

I'm thinking of installing the action and the hand guard with band and then maybe leave in the sun or even steam it.... Don't want to give up on it

[frankderrico]

Hi Chris, can you post a picture of the outside of the right rail? I was wondering if there wasn't some sort of a knot where it bends in. The tricky part of straightening it out is to not damage anything else. Get a pic up and lets go from there.

Best Regards.....Frank

[carwashchris]

Thanks Frank ! These's no knot, here some more pictures, the best I have for now. Chris

Bent Stock No Two Slideshow by carwashchris1 | Photobucket

[frankderrico]

Hi Chris, sorry it took so long to get back. Been busy all day. I would start with this method. You are going to need to either steam or soak that bent rail beyond its curve. The spanner piece of wood I'm using in this demonstration is slightly larger than the slide channel, so it has to be forced gently into the bend. The clamps on either side are gently squeezed together to straighten out the bend. You will have to work with your stock to get everything in the right position. These pics are just an illustration as to how I would start the repair. As I said before take your time and leave it clamped until the wood is well dried out naturally. Don't try to force dry it. Once you remove it from the clamps measure it against how it was previously. You can always try it more than once. Good luck, hope this helps. Best Regards.....Frank



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[INLAND44]

Use your eyes; look down the stock to see if its actually bent or if its just a local rub that you would simply sand on the inside for slide clearance. Put the carbine in the stock and see how the barrel lies in the nose. If its about centered and the receiver fits the same on both sides, I don't think the stock is bent. Lay the stock on it's sides and see if there is daylight under it on one side and not the other - that would represent a warped stock which may also be twisted. All that can be straightened out. If the stock is bowed, I would find the center of the arc and work on the concave (inside bend) side with steam, starting at the center and working my way out the ends of the bend. Over a few days, as that side swells, it should force the stock to straighten. One way to steam is to place a wet cloth on the work area and apply a hot iron to the cloth, which forces the steam into the wood.
BTW, that's a very interesting hand guard you have there!