NOS woodwork issues

[mrclark303]

Hi all,

I posted this on the Carbine Collections Club forum and would be interested to know if anyone else has had the same issue.

I bought a NOS beech M2 beech stock and top wood for my Carbine and when test firing the top wood flew off after three rounds....

I couldn't see what the issue was at the range until I compared it to the original Walnut M1A1 top wood and a spare NOS beech example I had knocking about.

It's 5mm - 1/4 inch too short and angled at the front!

The stock is spot on however, a great fit and shoots well.

Anyone else come across issues of this type?

Information

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[floydthecat]

Hand guards can vary in length, especially commercial copies, but they usually run a bit long, as much as 1/4 inch. Generally, guards and stocks were held to tight tolerances, but over time, they might become worn and they are not always a perfect match, plus nobody knows how they were swapped-around during rebuilds, or in the field. One might find it necessary to hunt-n-peck for the best match. The front of the stock where the band stops against the nose can be shaved a bit to allow the band to slide farther back on the nose, but you might disturb the fitment of the spring in the band-catch. Nothing bugs me much more than a spring nose and band slot not lining up just right.

Not-so-perfet fit sometimes is normal.

[Bruce McAskill]

You can try gently bending the metal upward a little at a time till it becomes tight.

[browningautorifle]

Yes, I had trouble with the odd one having a top hand guard pop off during firing. Then I didn't know how to fix it without just tightening the band screw to tight. Now it's like the others have said...just a bit of fiddling.

[painter777]

1/4 inch too short

Assume you mean the front edge that fits inside your bayo band.
As in a short front lip?
If all of the above fail, I've heard of guys building up the front edge and just above it with 5 minute Epoxy.
File for uniform look/fit.
Also heard of Crazy glue being used the same way to build length and height on the lip.

If really NOS it must not have been made to spec....... Sometimes you just get a bad one.

I've used a flat piece of leather boot lace on top of the HG lip to stop a rattler from sliding back and forth.


Good Luck Clark,

[imarangemaster]

It sounds like the handguard on the Kahr/Auto Ordnance I took in trade about 10 years ago. Had to use a USGI handguard.

[mrclark303]

I'll post pics with dimensions guys, the original Walnut and my spare NOS beech example are pretty much the same, but the other one is 'way off', the front is angled and 5 mm shorter overall than the other two.

If you're not over familiar with the rifle you just don't notice until you assemble and shoot, three rounds and the top cover ejects from the rifle further than the spent cases fly!

As an aside, I thought there might have been a difference in accuracy, comparing the 76 year old and well used Inland Para stock and the unused M2 stock with its long barrel channel. Surprised there was little, if any difference in group sizes tbo.

I prefer the Para stock to be honest, I find it more comfortable, with the padded back of the mag pouch giving a perfect cheek weld and sight alignment for me.

Just love this little carbine!

[browningautorifle]

my spare NOS beech example

I think I've asked you this in another thread too...are you sure it's Beech and not Birch? Fishscale grain or straight grain? Pics?

[painter777]

Jim,
You can see Clark's pics here:
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=70012&page=6

I'm thinking Birch

[mrclark303]

I think you're right, it might well be birch looking at it.