Comments on possible causes please

TimC

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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England
Ladies and gents I'm seeking opinions as to the cause of this damage to my stock. I have already sent it back to the supplier who has taken it up with the wholesaler but I was amazed that it happened.
In May last year I bought a CZ 527 in 7.62 x 39. I like CZ products and the rifle has performed really well. I have fired it all in dry weather, cleaned it and put it away about 10 times during the year. I took it out on Saturday afternoon as a back up whilst escorting a paying client around one of my woodlands to look for deer. It poured down and I kept the rifle slung muzzle down apart from two ocaisions when I shouldered it to see if we had shootable light left.
I didnt notice any damage then.
On return home, a journey of about an hour in the unheated rear of my Suzuki in a padded gun slip, I proceeded to clean it. On picking it up to remove the bolt I noticed a split in the wrist of the stock.
2007_0305_134031.jpg

This split though small was prominent enough to catch my hand so I took the action from the stock. look what I found!
2007_0305_134122.jpg

I can only assume that this is a split that was caused by recoil not being taken by the lugs as designed and the split allowed water in. A day later and the split had opened up and hey presto:
2007_0305_134309.jpg

Whilst I was getting the packaging ready to ship it back the piece finally parted company with the rifle and this is what I found:
2007_0305_134222.jpg

Now I hadnt taken the action from the stock before and when did undo the screws I got that satisfying crack as the screw loosened from the factory torque. As I was unable to put the mag release back together they should get the hint that I dont ever do this with new factory rifles. Luckily its a warranty so my local dealer took it today and hopefully all the shipping by special licensed courier costs will be born by the importers. I didnt put the magazine or scope in as they will be lost damaged so lets wait and see eh?
 
It looks like poor grain structure in that part of the stock caused a weak point. There may have also been a bedding issue as you mentioned as well. It looks like a very fresh fracture as there is no staining working its way in from the edges of the crack. I'd almost put money on it that it will be replaced free of charge.
 
gth said:
Do you use a "Lead-Sled"??

gth asks a very valid question here although it still is no excuse for the break. The recoil lug should absorb all recoil IF the gun is properly bedded. Being a factory rifle, it probably isn't, or it is but to factory standard. The led sled which is mentioned places a solid backing behind the stock, therefore that recoil lug better be well seated since there is no give as their is when a rifle is shouldered. I use something similar to a Lead Sled, but even less forgiving as it will tame the meanest and baddest recoil, but I have gotten rid of the solid backing and replaced it with a rubber tie down or bungy cord. It remains quite effective at recoil reduction, but still has some give to it.
 
No alterations to the factory set up, in fact I hadnt taken it out of the stock till then despite owning it for 9 months. I know but I try not to fiddle with something that works well!
 
gunasauras said:
That wood looks awful dry to me too.....
That is the grain of the beech, bearing in mind it is factory sealed and not retreated till it gets worn out then nothing new really. I have a few like that!
 
I think it is a combination of a poor piece of wood very dry and quite brittle and poor bedding with not enough finish applied.

Over the years I have seen many stocks of various makes with similar problems. It is a classic reason why one of the first things one should do with a new rifle is have the action bedded and the interior sealed with finish as well as the checkering. The factories do not have time to do this and still offer the rifle at a profitable price.
 
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