doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Repair stock cracks?

I have a nice sxs sidelock double that has what appears to be very tight inletting. Over time the gun has developed two tiny cracks in the middle of the stock immediately behind the sidelock on each side. they are about 1/4-1/2 inch long, don't appear to be deep, but they are visable. What can be done about this problem? My local gunsmith who is a rifle builder, but has limited experience with doubles doesn't think that they are worth worrying about. He told me that they probably won't get any longer, as the wood is very tight grained in that area.He seems to think that the problem wasn't from shooting but from changes in humidity. Any suggestions? And if one thinks they should be repaired, who would you recommend to do the repair work.

I would probably take it apart and see how deep they go if I was worried about it. A lot of your older guns get these cracks over the years. Especially on a sidelock gun. But more than likely the wood is just drying out as your smith said. If you are really concerned about it, take it apart and see. And no offense, but I do find it hard to believe that a guy who builds rifles would say he doesn't know anything about SXSs. What is the difference between the wood on a SXS and on a rifle? He should know something. Ya think?

By all means fix it. Brownells sells a great product called "Hot Stuff" that is great for getting into those cracks. I'd also check that the back edge of the lock plates aren't a bit too tight on their inlet. Thus when the gun recoils it might be putting uneven pressure into the area where the cracks have formed. Of course it could be drying as well.

Bill

sidelocks and bolts guns are not the same, nor are the Smiths who work on them. Take it to a guy who works on doubles, you will be better off.
Steve

This is a very common area for sidelocks to develop cracks, and very rarely are these cracks terminal.

Hot stuff is nothing other than superglue. It works well to stabilize cracks but it's hard to make them disappear unless they are in the checkering or an area that can be sanded. You can't sand behind the locks as that would cause the metal to be proud..a worse problem.

Arther: Please let us know what part of the country you're from and we might be able to recomend a doublegun specialist near you.

Thanks for all of the replies. I didn't mean to imply that my smith didn't know anything about doubles, he just told me he didn't see many through his shop and felt like I ought to get it to someone who specialized in stock work.
I'm from Natchez, MS. Distance is not as important as finding someone who is really good with stocking and repairs of doubles.
Thanks
Arthur

If it's a LC Smith, it likely has the cracks originating at the head of the stock, under the locks. Any LC I've pulled the locks on with cracks at the back of the locks, had them originating at the head. If not treated, eventually, the stock will get loose and cause damage at the head to the point the stock starts destroying itself. I rebuilt a severely damaged LC that only had about 1" long cracks behind the locks but wood was missing at the head.

Arthur: You might go over the gun with Bill Schwarz Elijay, Ga. 706-276-7668.

These gentlemen are stock repair specialists:

307-436-5561
stocks@highstream.net
Robert Fulton
Glenrock, WY

Dennis Smith
The Stock Doctor
Tygh Valley, OR 97063-9797
(541) 483-2182
thestockdr@riflemag.com

Cracks need to be stabilized and the thinnest superglues (like Hot Stuff) do a good job, by "wicking" all thru them by capillary attraction. Cracks concentrate stress greatly, leading to their continuing growth.

When the crack's end is visible and accessible, and cosmetic appearance isn't an issue, stop drilling a hole just beyond the end (to create a rounded fillet) is good practice.