muzzlediscipline
40 Cal
I have seen many rifles with cracked stocks at the toe which had toeplates installed.
So is it decoration or protection or just not foolproof protection?
So is it decoration or protection or just not foolproof protection?
Very desirable.I have seen many rifles with cracked stocks at the toe which had toeplates installed.
So is it decoration or protection or just not foolproof protection?
Well, It's kind of like a "sippy-cup".So is it decoration or protection or just not foolproof protection?
Much depends on the curvature of the buttplate and the manner in which a toe plate is installed! The sharper the curvature, the thinner and more prone to damage is the toe! Also, many toeplates are installed using a filed angle to match the curve of the buttplate! This allows the toeplate to slide up and over the toe of the buttplate giving little, if any protection in an accident! On really thin toes I generally, and where possible, use a square notch where toe meets butt! This makes it harder for the Butt's toe to move if dropped. On iron mounted southern rifles I sometimes use a copper rivet through the toe and butt to help keep the toeplate secured in the notch! Some original rifles I have seen had iron rivets! Also part of the equation is the grain direction of the stock! Grain running parallel with the wrist/toe is generally going to be stronger than grain which runs parallel with the barrel. Accidents do happen and a properly installed toeplate can help - but it's not a cure-all! Something else that will help if one is in doubt: Drill the rear screw hole just large and deep enough to lightly engage the screw threads. Put some epoxy ( yeah, I know ) in the hole and screw in the well waxed screw ( make sure to move it a bit before the epoxy is firmly set - just in case you later need to remove the toe plate). Once the epoxy ( I usually use JB Weld for this ) dries the screw/toeplate is secure and the wood isn't under pressure from an overly tight screw. I know that's not how it was done "back in the day" - as witness to lots of broken/cracked toe buttstocks! But the objective is a gun which is less likely prone to breakage!I have seen many rifles with cracked stocks at the toe which had toeplates installed.
So is it decoration or protection or just not foolproof protection?
Much depends on the curvature of the buttplate .. as witness to lots of broken/cracked toe buttstocks! But the objective is a gun which is less likely prone to breakage!
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