m39 stock repairs

[silverlance]

Just got my "gunsmith special" M39 from AIM today. $179 shipped.

Well, the stock is not busted, but it was. The Finns repaired it multiple times (I've counted 5 repairs so far!), and the repairs seem stable although some of the cracks are nearly 1mm apart. The worst crack is on the handle; at one point in its life it received a big crack on the right hand side. This was repaired well enough that it took me a 3rd examination to pick it up, but does worry me a bit as I will be putting my hand on that crack.

Finish is about 10%; bolt # matches receiver. No other #s match, but considering that I was told none would match at all I"m pretty happy. Bore is strongly rifled but dark; trigger seems crisp enough. Very little cosmo.

Should I worry about these cracks flying apart under fire? Is there anyway to sort of "seal up" the whole stock?

I figure some of the more experiences crufflers here would know.

kev

 

[Noban]

Stock cracks are generally not a safety issue, but could become worse depending on their location. The most common cracks that spread under recoil are those that are longitudinal, beginning at the tang bolt. The wood in this area is generally weakened by oil saturation.

When I degrease my milsurp projects, I sometimes find that old repairs need touching up. Small cracks and even larger ones in non-stress areas are easily repaired by gently prying open the crack and forcing wood glue in as far as possible. Clamp the repair if possible.

In addition to glue, larger cracks may need small brass nails or screws. I've only rarely used this method.

Good luck!

 

[silverlance]

m39

well, thank you! i'm going to talk to the woodshop teacher at my school during 5th and ask him for his advice, too.

there's a place that sells m39 stocks, unfinished for 99$ (handguard included). but this will be a much bigger project than it sounds as metal is not included.

personally, i would like to sand this stock down a little (repairs and all), then relaquer / reglue and refinish.

what do you folks think? i've never sanded anything in my life other than a few rush spots on an old car.