Repair cracks in stock

hi guys

How concerned should I be about these cracks in a rifle I just bought?


What is the best way to repair these cracks? What type of adhesive? I have used gorilla glue on a few stocks before, is there a better alternative? Thanks

It looks like someone fired this gun with a hot load in it. I would not fire it. I don't know how to repair cracks.

Rich427sw said:

hi guys

How concerned should I be about these cracks in a rifle I just bought?


What is the best way to repair these cracks? What type of adhesive? I have used gorilla glue on a few stocks before, is there a better alternative? Thanks

Click to expand...

First, welcome to the forum.

Initial thought, unless you knew it was cracked, suggest you get your money back.

Assuming you want to keep and repair, first question is how is the tang attached? Wood screw(s) threaded into the stock or machine screw(s) threaded into the trigger plate or guard?

And forget the Gorilla Glue, at least in my opinion, for this type of repair. Have successfully used Brownells Acraglas, but would like to know answer to above question above before staring to describe process I have used. Answer will dictate next step.

And DONOT shoot until a repair has been made. No sense causing more damage.

The gun has been dropped or smacked into something.... or used as a club. Take it all apart, and if all of the crack looks clean inside, pack it with Titebond II or III wood glue (I do NOT recommend any epoxy and definitely not Gorilla glue), and clamp it all back together... which may be the hardest part. You may have to get creative with clamps, surgical tubing, bands, etc to get it squeezed TIGHT back together. If the glueing is thorough, and the joint squeezed tight, it will be better than new.

Stophel said:

The gun has been dropped or smacked into something.... or used as a club. Take it all apart, and if all of the crack looks clean inside, pack it with Titebond II or III wood glue (I do NOT recommend any epoxy and definitely not Gorilla glue), and clamp it all back together... which may be the hardest part. You may have to get creative with clamps, surgical tubing, bands, etc to get it squeezed TIGHT back together. If the glueing is thorough, and the joint squeezed tight, it will be better than new.

Click to expand...

Have used Titebond successfully to repair muzzleloader and Milsurp stocks, but if the joint fails (have seen it happen) nothing seems to stick to the Titebond, including Titebond, and you have to remove it for second repair - not a simple task. Acraglas will bond to itself. Believe it is more important to get a mechanical clamp (tang to trigger plate for example) to hold stock together. Just my opinion.

Rich427sw said:

hi guys

How concerned should I be about these cracks in a rifle I just bought?


What is the best way to repair these cracks? What type of adhesive? I have used gorilla glue on a few stocks before, is there a better alternative? Thanks

Click to expand...

Looks like a hooked breach stress crack if it is a hooked breach. When inserting the barrel into the hook slot, it was not inserted all the way and when the barrel was pushed into the barrel channel it broke the wood by grabbing thw wood in the channel. The pic with the crack by the lock bolt is the weakest area and shows.

Rich427sw said:

hi guys

How concerned should I be about these cracks in a rifle I just bought?

What is the best way to repair these cracks? What type of adhesive? I have used gorilla glue on a few stocks before, is there a better alternative? Thanks

Click to expand...

Concerned? I would be most concerned if the tang screw was not full length threading into the trigger plate. Ideally the cracks need to be glued.

The best way IMO to repair the crack is to make sure it is clean of any oil or residue that will inhibit the wood glue from doing its job. Yes just get some Elmers wood glue. Three items for good wood split repair 1.clean joint of any oil or residue, 2. joint needs to be clamped shut!. 3. Use good old wood glue.
I assume the tang screw is a full length machine screw attaching to the trigger plate. If that is not so, it needs to be.
Good luck
Flintlocklar

I favor using Accra-Glass as well. However, I'd also add a threaded brass or steel rod to add strength, probably 1/8" diameter. Run the hole from in front of the tang bolt through to the trigger plate. When everything is assembled, you'll never see it. Add Accra-Glass to the crack and clamp for eight hours or so. The AG will be partially cured, but you can shave it flush with a sharp blade. After everything is cured, drill the hole for the threaded rod. Drilling between centers is the way to go. Slather it with Accra-Glass and push it through the hole and into position.

If possible you could use brass wood screws and glue. Drill down through the split area, clean up the split glue it and then use the brass screw to pull the halves of the split together.
Trim with a dremel any screw left above the surface and smooth it out.
you will have a series of brass dots where you pinned it together.
It will not be pretty but it will be strong.
Used this on an old T/C stock I had broken in half rather than relegate it to the wood stove.

SM