Gunsmithing stock repair, will glassing this work well enough?

[BradZ]

I recently picked up a Mauser actioned 7mm Magnum at a very good deal. There's a couple minor problems with the wood on the gun though. First is purely cosmetic, the grip cap has a big knick in it that I think I can fix or replace.

Second I noticed when I took the metal out of the gun. There's a crack all the way through the wood in front of the trigger. It's kind of hard to get a good picture but I'm giving it a shot here.

That's the only part that might be more than cosmetic that I can't fix easily. Just wondering if I can acraglass the thing and that'll be strong enough now that one side of the wood is cracked.

What do ya think?

 

[seanh]

I've fixed similar cracks with 2ton epoxy (force all you can into the crack) and thin fiberglass cloth (epoxy soaked) wrapped around it. If you wrap a little fiberglass around it, you'll want to sand the stock down a little to makeup for the extra thickness. I've used files, sandpaper wrapped around a block, dremel tools, to take down the wood a little.

Both epoxy and fiberglass tape you can get at the local hobby shop.

 

[Rhys]

I would also be looking to put in a crossbolt to prevent future cracking.

 

[paulj]

I have used cyanoacrylate, IC-2000, http://www.kmstools.com/bsi-ic-2000-cyanoacrylate-glue-1oz-7452 aka super glue to repair cracks in gunstocks. It has a 20 second plus working time. If you use a hair dryer on IC-2000 as you place it, it turns into the consistency of water and flows into any crack. You should have a cross bolt, clamps or a bunch of rubber bands ready to tighten and close the crack while the glue dries. A similar glue is available from Lee Valley Tools :http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=20022&cat=1,110,42966

 

[BradZ]

thought about that. I don't wanna do any drilling it it though till that wood is secured where it needs to be. Not trying to make any big mistakes.

 

[Rhys]

deffinately secure the crack first prior to installing a cross bolt. Depending on how much oil has soaked into the wood at that point you may or may not get a solid joint.