Repairing splits in Wooden stock on Double Barrel Shotgun.

[Kipling79]

I have an old double barrel shotgun which has developed splits down both sides of the stock where it meets the reciever. Pictured Below.

A couple questions:
(1) First, if anyone can help me identify this gun in order to find the proper fore-stock and fore-iron, I already have a thread started. It looks like the gun may be a Stevens 215 or other older stevens model. Here is the thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=323429&highlight=hercules

(2) The split in the picture below lies inbetween the arrows, and is found on both sides. I have a feeling that filling the crack with glue wouldn't be enough... I was thinking about putting in a couple brass pins or something. But I am no expert and that is why I am asking for suggestions as to how to best repair the cracks.

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

I think you best bet is stock repair pins from Brownell's.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=617&title=STOCK REPAIR PIN KIT

You can place probably three on each side vertically down through the wood. Once cut off and dressed down they will look like little round brass inlays!

I have had good luck using thin CYA adhesive like Hot-Stuff or Jet on cracks like that where you can't open them up enough to get AcraGlas in them.
You can get it at any hobby-shop.

It will wick down into the tiniest cracks and set up instantly.

I'd pin it, and then Hot-Stuff it, then re-touch the finish as necessary with Tru-Oil.

When you get done, relieve the stock inletting at the front so it is bearing evenly on the receiver all the way down the flats.


rcmodel

 

[nicholst55]

I agree with rcmodel except for one thing - once the crack(s) is/are repaired, I would open the inletting very slightly and then glass bed the stock to fit the receiver perfectly.

I've used this procedure to repair several cracked stocks, and never had one crack again.

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, glass bedding is a very good idea!

Wish I had thought to mention it in my other post!


rcmodel

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

You can also use Brownell's acra-glas or acra-gel to keep those pins in place. When I repaired a shotgun with the same problem I used brass all-thread because the gel sticks to the threads better.

 

[eliphalet]

I have used brass rod for welding from the local hardware store when I already had Acriglass and didn't want to order just the brass rods.

Thanks RC for the tip of Hot Stuff or Jet as in the past I have used Acriglass and blown it into tiny cracks as best I could with a straw, and have a old Marlin I am wanting to strengthen just that way.

 

[Kipling79]

Thanks guys,

I appreciate the input. I think these suggestions will do exactly what my gun needs.

Now all I need to do is get the thing iden

 

[gaowlpoop]

How about this.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu57.htm

 

[nicholst55]

That's a very useful explanation of how to repair a cracked stock, and that procedure will certainly work. I would add that two-piece stocks usually split because the stock bolt has come loose. Once repaired, degrease the threads in the receiver and on the bolt, and apply some blue Loc-Tite to hold it securely in place.

Stocks also shrink over time as they dry out, and this can lead to cracking and also to loss of accuracy. That's one reason that the world's militaries (those of industrialized nations, anyway) used to periodically apply linseed oil (or tung oil) to their stocks - to keep the wood from drying out and shrinking.