
Stock Help
#1
Posted 20 October 2005 - 08:32 AM
I recently got a good deal on a non-crossbolt stock for my WH28 but when I tried to put on the metal, it won't fit. The buttplate seems to have been bent because it doesn't sit flush with the stock. The stock slide also doesn't fit. The screw holes dont match up with out relieving some of the wood. I really didn't want to start carving on this stock. The stock slide is marked on the underside with a 'p'. I couldn' t find anything in Franks book on that particular mark. The buttplate is unmarked. The stock is ink marked with a 'W' in the inlet for the stock slide and also has a stamped 'W' on the butt end around the oiler hole.
Any ideas? Should I just get new parts?
Thanks!
#2
Posted 20 October 2005 - 09:12 AM
QUOTE (Tman @ Oct 20 2005, 08:32 AM) |
The stock slide is marked on the underside with a 'p'. I couldn' t find anything in Franks book on that particular mark. |
Tman,
Sometimes the replacement butt stocks don't exactly fit the earlier metal parts found on the early guns. I believe the "P" maked slide attachment is made by Pitney Bowes. P was their contractor code and I have seen many slides with the P mark. The stock butt end contour varies from the early numbered stocks to the various contractors that made the replacement stocks. Most butt plates need to be gently bent to conform to the contour of the particlur stock.
As far as the slide not fitting, I haven't run into that problem. The slides vary slightly in dimension and some fit snug and some are looser, depending on the butt stock. Gently sanding the inside walls of the cut-out area might do the trick. If the screw holes don't line up then I would consider getting a different butt stock.
#3
Posted 20 October 2005 - 10:04 AM
How nice do you want it to look is the question,
Dan
#4
Posted 20 October 2005 - 11:57 AM
Those non crossbotl buttstocks can be found in the raw at gun parts 3/$10 I think. Pretty cheap to replace. Unless you mean the kind with no sling swivel cutout.

Damon
#5
Posted 20 October 2005 - 12:43 PM
Bob D
#6
Posted 20 October 2005 - 01:30 PM
Yes, fit the stock to the butt plate, not the other way around.
The stock should "overhang" the butt plate just slightly, 1/16" is about right all around. When you have your butt plate otherwise fitted, screw it into place. Run a sharp pencil around the edge of the butt plate, leaving a mark on the stock at the proper interval all the way around. Then remove the butt plate and neatly sand the stock to the pencil line. USGI butt plates were never "blended" to the wood. This practice allowed enough wood to remain for future refinishing.
#7
Posted 20 October 2005 - 07:06 PM
QUOTE (TSMGguy @ Oct 20 2005, 01:30 PM) |
Yes, fit the stock to the butt plate, not the other way around. |
TSMGguy,
That depends on the replacement butt stock and the contractor of the butt plate you are dealing with. The early and late war butt stocks and butt plates have markedly different contours. In some cases, the butt plate has to be reformed to fit the butt stock you are fitting it to. Taking wood off the butt stock does not help depending on the wood and butt plate contractor. I have refinished many stocks and have noticed many variations, depending on the year the parts were made and contractor variations.
#8
Posted 21 October 2005 - 02:47 PM
Thanks again!