Restoring my 1903a3 - Update/Rant

[DennisCA]

This project is taking waaaaaaay longer than I ever thought for two reasons:

1) Time - or lack there of

2) The stock it's self - let me explain: Nothing fits!

Here's some examples:

(This is not mine - example of one)
The barrel action did not fit properly - much sanding to make it fit!


Butt/Plate - no hole (need to drill)


Bayo lug (not sure what it's really called) won't slide on - much sanding needed to make it fit.

Old Stock:

See that hole? On the new stock the hole is much bigger so there's nothing for the screw to grab on to.

Like I said if I had any idea I would've had this many problems - I would have NEVER started this project! But I've started it and by hook or crook I am going to finish it!

What kills me it's a boyds stock - I've heard great things about them, not in my case.

I expected a bit of sanding but nothing like this!

END OF RANT - I feel better now

[0321jarhead]

Patients Grasshopper. Boyds stocks are good. In many cases "some fitting is required" on some stocks. I bought an M1 Garand stock from Boyds several years ago. Guess what? I had to do some fitting. Take your time. If you get to frustrated, walk away and cool off. You can make it work.

[Citadelgrad87]

Use wood glue to put toothpicks into that oversized hole. Let it set up for a few days. Drive your screw.

[0321jarhead]

Closely read what I pasted from Boyd's concerning the 1903A3 stock.........

It is your responsibility to confirm the dimensions of your firearm with the supplied dimensions of our part.

All semi-inlet parts require final fitting to your action and final sanding and finish of exterior of stock. Semi-inlet stocks do require some knowledge of firearms and woodworking for installation.

Natural cosmetic imperfections such as minor knots, burls, heartwood, mineral lines or minor cosmetic fill work are not considered a defect and will be subject to the 12% restocking fee.
ATTENTION CUSTOMERS: Boyds' Military style replacement stocks do require fitting of all metal hardware including receiver.

[fal_762x51]

Try fitting a Boyds Krag stock. Now that was a pita.

[DennisCA]

0321jarhead - ok I hear you.
I guess I need to be doing more of this:

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Dennis, you have given me newfound appreciation for the turnkey 1903a3 I bought, which needed nothing more than ammo. I'm sure the reward will make the journey worthwhile..

[Enfield47]

Dennis, shouldn't there be a guard screw bushing in that hole on your new stock? That's probably why it seems larger. Maybe I'm not using the right terminology but that's what it called on my Enfield's.

[smle-man]

The bushing should be transferred from the old stock to the new.

[56tchr]

chill

Dude, Calm yourself,,,, you have taken on a project. Wood was made to be sanded and fitted. Get a dremel and a burring tool.... oversize your opening for your action and bed it with glass/ acraglass... it will be perfect... relax and enjoy the trip.... when you are finished you will smile.....

[TMB 1]

You need to have the bushing for the rear screw and about 1/8" clearance around rear of tang or the stock could crack when you shoot it.
I've read Boyds 03 & Garand stocks require a bit of fitting. I've only had Dupage Boyds stocks and only minor fitting was needed. If yours needs more fitting than you want to do, put it up for sell and get one of Sarcos 5 year dream 03 stocks, no fitting needed on the one I got.

Sent from my LG-VS410PP using Tapatalk 2

[DennisCA]

Thanks for the reminder - it's the journey not the destination.

I made a bit of progress today (finally got some decent time to work on it):
[IMG][/IMG]
I got the Handguard Ring on as well as two front sling rings and the bayo mount! Now it's starting to look like something!

[Enfield47]

Keep up the good work. It will be worth it in the end.

[0321jarhead]

We all knew you could do it...Right on!

After that rifle is all together, then disassemble it. When that is done, apply raw linseed oil it. If you can't find any "raw linseed oil" there is plenty of "boiled lin seed oil" that you can buy at most any hardware stores, like Home Depot for example. Apply the oil on generously rub it into the wood, then wipe it off with a clean rag. After that, take it to the range and enjoy that rifle.

[emcon5]

Rifle is looking Good Dennis.

Patients Grasshopper.

This made me chuckle.

Sorry for the tangent, but anyone remember a couple years ago when some dude posted some photos of the crappy groups he got with his M1 at 50 yards and asked if it was normal?

Someone listed a few things that could effect his groups and said "There is a lot to learn grasshopper".

The OP lost his mind, started screaming that "grasshopper" was racist because

I learned how to spot that kind of prejudice when i took asian american studies classes in college.

He provided a link to the "Racial Slur Database" as proof

Everyone pretty much called him an idiot, and the thread got deleted. Too bad, it was classic comedy.