I have seen cracks on everything from .22's - 10 gauge.
50 - 100 years of use, old walnut that has been oil soaked by previous owners and a sidelock design to top it off.
Yes the gun is likely to crack the same as most other sidelock designs of the same time period.
Glassbedding is needed if you are going to shoot it a lot.
The Sidelock design take's away a lot of wood in a very critical area of the stock.
The boxlock is a stronger design...but old wood is still likely to crack over time. Over the years I have repaired cracks in a lot of stocks of both types.
My old guns and my old body spend a lot of time shooting sporting clays. After 100 shells and not nearly as many busted clays, Shooting low pressure low recoil pipsqueak loads lets me and my gun come home with a few less cracks.
Is it all worth the effort?
I have learned over the years, That it is a lot easier to put up with the nagging and problems of a beautiful woman than one not so good to look at.
To me the LC Smith is a beauty to own and shoot even with the problems.
Last edited by Gary R; 02/04/15 10:46 AM.
