The M21 stock failed after 15 rounds but they kept shooting proof loads for 2000 rounds. Tell me, why does it matter that it went 2000 rounds if the stock failed after 15. In the write-up I have (Stadt, 1995) it says:"L.C. Smith: no data available. It is known that after testing, the L.C. Smith was unserviceable and unsafe" (Wonder if that means the stock cracked? They were very clear about what failed on the other models. Note that they kept shooting the 21 after its stock broke, rendering IT unserviceable and unsafe!)
"Fox: daylight visible at face of breech after six rounds; draw in bolt gone after 50 rounds; gun started to blow open after 60 rounds; testing discontinued after 80."
"Ithaca: daylight visible at face of breech after three rounds; draw in bolt gone and buttstock cracked after 10 rounds; action seized and testing discontinued after 56 rounds."
"Parker: daylight visible at face of breech after 10 rounds; left side of frame cracking after 26 rounds; forearm wood split at 275 rounds; buttstock split at 300 rounds; daylight at breech too great for firing after 305."
I should think that the L.C. failure would have been noted if it were metal or action related. That's why I suspect it was the stock. Note that the M21 stock failed before some of the others. This test was pure marketing malarky. mike
