Originally Posted by John Roberts
Originally Posted by Ted Schefelbein
Originally Posted by John Roberts
Don't fix what doesn't need re-fixing. If the gun is functioning well and the stock looks good, Leave. It. Alone. But I'm pretty sure you've already decided otherwise.
JR

An LC Smith stock that has 5 pins through the wrist is very likely on borrowed time. If you are always distracted by the notion of perhaps having a two piece gun (again, it would seem, from the OPs commentary) as you are pulling up on a fleeing pheasant, it will effect your shooting. It isn’t the original stock, collectibility likely isn’t a concern.

Fix it, or get rid of it.

Best,
Ted

Dennis Earl Smith, The Stock Doctor, puts multiple pins or dowels in his stock repairs, probably are much stronger than the original wood could ever be. If this is a mental thing, then take care of it. Good luck.
JR

You are talking about a design that was marginal to begin with. Looking at the head of an LC Smith stock when it is off the gun has always left me wondering if the guys who did the stocks were paid piece rate along with the rest of the workers. There is almost nothing holding the damn thing on to the gun, or, together. A good stock maker will correct some of that, and fit it so there is more wood left in the head to support the action.

Sadly, I know many more gunsmiths who don’t work on or restock LC Smiths then those who do.

Take it for what it is.

Best,
Ted