cantgrowup Posted January 4, 2020 Report Share Posted January 4, 2020 I have a set of reproduction WWI-style M1918 furniture coming and hopefully it will include instructions. In the meantime I would like to know how to remove the buttstock from my 1918A3, but the OO instruction manual does not show how to do it. Can anyone let me know how? I'm real leery about experimenting with this $4000 rifle on my own. That's why I love forums. Others have boldly gone where I fear to tread. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtrooper Posted January 4, 2020 Report Share Posted January 4, 2020 If I recall, it was removing the butt plate, and unscrewing the long bolt inside the stock ... Be careful when you take off the A2 butt plate that you do not lose the ball detent for the hinge for the flip up shoulder rest ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoscoeTurner Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 You may want to invest the time in downloading a GI manual, it will go a long way in answering many of your questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jl7422 Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 Note that there were 3 different buffer configurations, each with its own butt plate and corresponding stock relieved to fit. All will work on the OOW 1918a3 receiver, but mixing and matching parts won't be a bolt-together fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantgrowup Posted January 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 You may want to invest the time in downloading a GI manual, it will go a long way in answering many of your questions. I looked at the FM 23-15 Basic Field Manual for the 1918A2, but it did not go into the removal of the buttstock or operation of the buffer. I'll just wing it with the advice given thus far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoscoeTurner Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 https://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns/item_desc.php?item_id=3836 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantgrowup Posted January 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 (edited) Ah.... Thanks! I've just ordered one. Edited January 5, 2020 by cantgrowup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantgrowup Posted January 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 Okay... After watching an animated video on Youtube, I was able to easily remove the A2-style rear stock and scalloped fore-end stock. I'm still weeks away from receiving my new M1918 WW1 style stock set, but I sure hope that they will fit on the OO A3 weapon without modifications. In order to remove the A2-style fore-end from the A3 operating rod, I removed the two machine screws and then had to slide out a long sheetmetal tray that captured the wood onto the operating rod. Is this the same attachment method for the WW1 waffle fore-end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtrooper Posted January 6, 2020 Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 That is the heat shield. Yes, you will want to use it with your 1918 forend ... These stocks usually require some minor hand fitting ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantgrowup Posted January 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 Thank you "Oldtrooper"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoscoeTurner Posted January 6, 2020 Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 After you do all this have you considered that the finish used on WWI vintage and WWII vintage BARs was different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantgrowup Posted January 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 Oh yes.... but not dealing with that right now.... if it can be dealt with at all!? LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantgrowup Posted January 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 I'm just trying to get a semi-auto BAR that looks somewhat similar to the ones used by Clyde Barrow. I collect representative firearms used by and against the Barrow gang. This will have to work since I refuse to pay $8500 for the absurdly expensive OO Colt exclusives... and can't afford the $50k for the real deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtrooper Posted January 6, 2020 Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 Have you machined off the guides on the sides of the mag well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantgrowup Posted January 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 Not yet... but it's on the list of things to do. I've considered converting a milspec housing to the OO config but it looks daunting if not impossible. And of course OO doesn't have any spare A3 trigger housings I could convert to keep my A3 original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantgrowup Posted January 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 Heck.... I can't even get the A2 rear sight off the A3 receiver yet. I have an M1918 rear sight ready to go but I'm stuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtrooper Posted January 6, 2020 Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 I'm just trying to get a semi-auto BAR that looks somewhat similar to the ones used by Clyde Barrow. I collect representative firearms used by and against the Barrow gang. This will have to work since I refuse to pay $8500 for the absurdly expensive OO Colt exclusives... and can't afford the $50k for the real deal.Turning an OOW 1918A3 into a more authentic cosmetic representation will require a different barrel and gas system ... I started down that road and it just requires more time and money than I have or want to invest ... What I went for is a look representative of the BAR in the bottom image ... I started with the OOW A3 as pictured in the top image, and my rifle how looks like the middle image ... I will finish the work when I have time, but have 3 rifles to build, an M1 rifle to refurbish, and two bluing jobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantgrowup Posted January 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 I'll leave the A3 chamber barrel as is. 99.999% of the folks that will see my Clyde BAR wont know the diff. I show my guns at the annual Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Festival in Gibsland LA. What did you do to get the proper trigger housing no-wings look? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtrooper Posted January 6, 2020 Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 I'll leave the A3 chamber barrel as is. 99.999% of the folks that will see my Clyde BAR wont know the diff. I show my guns at the annual Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Festival in Gibsland LA. What did you do to get the proper trigger housing no-wings look?I milled them off in our gunsmith shop that my son and I own Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantgrowup Posted January 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 Looks great! (I sent you a message) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryKeim Posted January 6, 2020 Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 Oldtrooper: your furniture looks more like that on my m1918 Winchester than the bottom picture. The finish on the metal isn’t quite as realistic... patina-wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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