Browning SA-22 rifle - stock needs tightening

[BlackJackJoe]

I traded for a beautiful SA-22 rifle at a gun show and everything is great except the rear stock does not cinch up tight to the receiver. The screw / bolt that runs up through the hand grip of the stock is obviously bottomed out in the receiver and won’t turn anymore. Looking at the hole that contains the screw head (see picture), the metal ring that holds it has apparently been pulled deeper into the hole, about 1/8 of an inch. Anyone have an idea how to remedy this? Thanks!

 

[dmazur]

Unless Browning completely changed the design, the SA-22 stock attaches to the receiver with a nut on the end of the magazine tube, under the buttplate. My SA-22 has no screw behind the grip as you show in the picture.

However, I found another picture of an old SA-22 that shows a hole behind the grip, so I believe Browning must have changed the design.

You might try tightening the nut on the end of the magazine tube. Be careful to keep the magazine tube from turning, or the port won't be aligned with the hole in the side of the stock.

I'm not a Browning historian, but I'm going to guess they decided the second screw wasn't necessary and deleted it in later models.

Edit -

If there was an "old model" and a "new model" stock design, the magazine tube may not tighten the stock like it does with the new models. If that is the case, the only thing I can suggest is to install a washer under the screw head, forcing it to bear on the stock before the screw bottoms out in the receiver.

I think this would be preferable to shortening the threaded end of the screw.

You might have to drill the hole out a little oversized so the washer will fit. A forstner bit might be better than a conventional twist drill bit.

 

[BlackJackJoe]

Thank you for the ideas. Yes, this is an older design than what you have. There is no nut at the end of the magazine tube. In fact, I have to remove the stock completely to even access the mag tube which screws into the receiver but merely holds the follower on the other end.
I've thought about the washer idea and have tried to fabricate one by filing down a small washer. Near impossible due to the small size.
I'll have to think about opening the hole a little like you said. I've even thought that if I could remove that small metal ring that maybe I could re-seat it at the proper depth somehow.
I do appreciate your ideas and trying to help!

 

[Art Eatman]

If you take the screw out and grind a bit to shorten it, first put a nut on it. After careful shortening, removing the nut will "chase" the end so it will start easily when you reinsert it. First time, don't remove the nut all the way. Partway, then turn it back on and do a wee bit of filing or stoning.

 

[BlackJackJoe]

Good idea. I'll have to check that thread to see what fits. It may be one of the pesky metric threads.
thanks!

 

[pump .22s]

My Belgium made '56 model Browning is as you describe yours....there is no nut on the end of the magazine tube to anchor the stock to the receiver - the stock is held on solely by the bolt. Later models had a nut on the outer end of the magazine tube as in the case of the Remngton 24 and 241. When I purchased this gun used at a gun show, I got it at a good price because the stock was loose and the barrel was stuck to the receiver and would not break down. After fixing the barrel issue, I turned my attention to the stock.

Since the stock screw seemed to be tight enough, I decided that it was possibly bottoming out in the receiver somehow. My solution was to find a washer that fit the bolt and grind it down to fit in the stock recess. I used a bench grinder while holding the washer in another bolt and letting it rotate against the grinding wheel. This solved my problem and she's snug now.

You may want to try shortening the bolt a little as has already been suggested first.....I don't see why that wouldn't also work. In my case, the metal insert in the stock was not loose. If this is your problem, I would fix that first.

 

[BlackJackJoe]

I will try your method of grinding down the washer. Haven't tried that. I bet it comes out more truly round than my technique did. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[pump .22s]

Be sure to keep oil between the bolt and washer as you grind to prevent enlarging the inside hole of the washer excessively as the washer spins on the bolt. You well need to experiment with the angle at which you present the washer to the face of the grinding wheel.....I held mine so the washer was slightly forced to the head of the bolt. I think I actually used the stock bolt to perform this operation....just don't get the bolt against the grinding wheel. When I finished the process, the diameter of the washer was not a great deal larger than the head of the bolt, so start with the smallest diameter washer you can find.

Good luck and let us know how it all works out.

 

[rcmodel]

Was it me, I would get the stock screw bushing out of the stock and re-bed it with Acra-glas bedding compound in the proper location.

If it continues to pull deeper & deeper into the stock like a wedge, and you keep adding extra washers?

The stock is going to crack or split right through the pistol grip eventually.

rc

 

[pump .22s]

"In my case, the metal insert in the stock was not loose. If this is your problem, I would fix that first."

As I stated earlier, this is the first thing to check....then proceed with adding washer or slightly shortening bolt.

 

[BlackJackJoe]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I will let you know what I end up doing...hopefully without making matters worse.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

get ya about 2 or 3 appropriate Diameter washers put between bolt and stock.
You could call them shims if it made you feel better

 

[BlackJackJoe]

Well, got it fixed for now. I decided not to shorten the bolt. I tried to remove the nut that is embedded in the grip of the stock. I tried to grind a washer small enough to fit underneath the head of the bolt but couldn't get there with any kind of concentricity (new word?). So I got a washer small enough to cover the top of the embedded nut. Fortunately, the bold is still long enough to make contact with the receiver. I tightened it just enough to to cinch up the stock but not so tight as to push that embedded nut deeper into the stock. We'll see how this works out. The head of the bolt protrudes just slightly below the hand grip (about 3/32nds). I can live with that. Again, thanks for everyone's input. Really made me think!