Just got my M1 Garand (Field Grade)

[madcratebuilder]

Soooo... now that this thread has kinda moved on to a stock finish thread what would all of you do with a new birch stock from CMP? Tung oil or BLO, or? I would leave it as is but concerned about oil's from your hands handling it. Thanks. Have to go now will read your replys in a hour or so. Thanks again.

Since you are starting with new wood I would use Tung Oil and not the "Tung Oil Finish" that has additives. You could stain the stock if you wish. When I do stain I use a alcohol based dye, if it gets to dark it easy to lighten back up with just straight alcohol.. One nice thing about Tung Oil is it has a stabilizing effect on the wood and makes the surface hard, more resistant to dents and dings. Touch up is a simple matter of just wipe it with a finger dipped in TO.

Give it 30 days to dry well and then three coats of Tom's gunstock wax.