Repairing a Cracked Enfield Stock

Tyler

Tyler

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Wasaga
Can it be done?

Cracked.JPG


Notice the location of the cracks, on both sides between the reciever bed and 'sidewall' of the stock. I really had to force the stock apart to get the cracks to show, but there is movement in the stock and I don't like it. The rifle shoots very well, but I'd like to pin or glue these cracks before they get worse.

Will any gunsmith be able to put some brass pins or screws into these cracks? Is it worth it to do myself? Can these be glued?

Any help is appreciated. I could just get a 'new' stock, but this one matches the rifle.
 
Cracked Enfield Stock

Does your butt stock bolt have the spring or washer on it to prevent the bolt from going too far into the socket and cracking the stock? I believe it acts as a spacer. No good repairing it unless you fix the cause.
 
Yes, it does. In fact, the bolt is quite tight and the bolt is still recessed into the body... so that's not the problem.
 
I'm told Acraglas will work if injected into the crack with a syringe.... now I just need to find one.
 
It is very important to clean the joint completely (dirt, oil, grease, old attemps at repair etc.) before gluing.
Pete
 
Tyler said:
What should I use? Acetone?
Click to expand...

Depends entierly upon the glue to be used. Read the lable. Some cleaners may leave a residue that is incompatible with the glue you have chosen to use. Read the lable Temperature and clamping time/pressure are important also. Read the lable. Any modern glue will work but some will leave less of a visible glue line than others. Did I mention, read the lable?lol The manufacturer knows his product and wants you to have good results.
Pete
 
If you need a needle and syringe, go talk to the Pharmacist. He has them for sale to diabetics. So unless you roll in looking like a needle doper trying to 'get hooked up', you should be able to buy ONE and enough needles to figure which one is big enough to pass your preferred glue.

I'm going to suggest Gorilla Glue only because Norm Abrams from the New Yankee Workshop likes it. The metal 'fore-end reinforcing tie plate and pin' are the mechanical aids to keep the foreends from opening up too wide. If you work with the tie plate and equivalent new hardware (like fine thread screws), you should be OK.
 
Give it a spray with Brake-Lining cleaner, then allow it to dry completely....... about 30 seconds usually, but you can take longer if you like ;-)

Then make up a little bit of Acra-Glas gel and put it on top of the crack and work it into the crack with your thumb or fingers. Get it right into the crack, then clamp it as tight as you can without damaging the wood. Let it set-up completely (24 hours minimum), remove the clamp and trim of any excess that has greebled its way outwards.

You have just repaired That Damned Crack, which is the single greatest cause of poor shooting with Lee-Enfield rifles.

These things worked just fine in a marine climate and would last for years and years. Problem is when they came to this Gawdforsaken cold, dry country: the wood dried out and shrank. I don't know how many of these I have repaired, but the rifle ALWAYS shoots better after it's done!
 
I find that the needle on the insulin syringes are too thin for some glues. The glue will simply not go through or it takes too much pressure on the plunger. That said, your pharmacist should have a wide range of needle guages in stock for you to buy, so you could get a few different ones and see what works, they're cheap.
 
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