Classic Laminated M91/30's Thread

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I think what he is talking about is that some laminated stock were made with one recoil lug, they realized the stock were cracking they add a second recoil lug, the protrusion on the bottom of the receiver transfers the recoil into the "recoil bolt". The recoil bolt transfers the recoil into the stock at that point. If it was not in there, the recoil would go to the tang of the receiver and into the stock at that point. That would be like driving a wedge into the end grain of a piece of wood. Kind of like splitting wood.

If the recoil lug is not adjusted correct, sometime you will see a split at the end of the tang going back. But it can be from a bad stock also.

Thanks for the clarification. I own and have shot Mosins and Russian SKS with lammie stocks, never any problems whatsoever.

[ChicoDan]

That's why I don't shoot my lams. If I want to shoot that weapon, I put on a solid sotck. But one 91/30 shoots pretty much like anpother.
ChicoDan

[BrokerB]

there is a reason buildings use laminate beams rather then solid....its stronger

[mj1]

Everything was cheaper yesterday...

Good shopping.

[DennisCA]

Laminate Stock Cracking - Huh?

Thanks for the clarification. I own and have shot Mosins and Russian SKS with lammie stocks, never any problems whatsoever.

Agreed!

I've shot my laminate a bunch of times (with several different types of ammo) and never had a problem - as far as the stock cracking or any type malfunction. Now my shoulder, that's another story!

[Bobby Ricigliano]

If only my shoulder could take the abuse that my Mosins have taken.

[Marcus von W.]

One must remember here that the Germans also used laminated stock technology in WW2, including in the period when the Soviets and Germans were on more or less "not openly hostile" terms (Hitler gave Stalin the "green light" on invading the Baltic states and split Poland down the middle with the Soviets) and sharing technology and resources.

Solid hardwood stocks as well as laminated stocks can develop cracks for a number of reasons. Soviet laminated carbine stocks produced after a certain point in the earlier part of 1944 had a wrist crossbolt added at the factory when they were manufactured, and many of the earlier ones were retrofitted with the wrist crossbolt after this feature became standard. Original wrist crossbolts and later added ones are different and once you have seen the 2 compared, it's pretty easy to tell them apart.

M38 and M44 laminated carbine stocks without the wrist crossbolt are rather uncommon (I own examples of each) but those that I have observed show no signs of any damage. As well, the stocks with later added crossbolts also show no signs of earlier damage. Of course, any laminated carbine stocks that did crack were probably replaced which, along with their being generally scarcer, might account for why damaged ones are not encountered like one sees cracked hardwood stocks.

The Germans used 2 types of glue in WW2, a red glue that seems pretty durable and a white glue - I believe it is water based - that has caused some problems with delamination.

It appears that the Soviets also used 2 types of glue - one similar to the German red glue on the laminated birch stocks, and a darker one on the earlier laminated beech stocks. Due to the darker color of the glue on the beech stocks, these are not as instantly identifiable as the birch laminated stocks.

The Soviet used a lot of laminated stocks on M44 and M38 carbines in the late 1943 to 1945 period, but WW2 laminated 91/30 stocks are pretty scarce.
The top stock in the photo without the wrist crossbolt MJ posted would seem to be an early 1944 stock - if it doesn't have a dove-tailed in toe piece (these came along a little later in early 1944), this would confirm it.

I have never heard of any inherent weakness of laminated stocks that makes them less durable than hardwood, and in fact they do have some advantages because there is not the natural grain lines for cracks and damage to follow. Besides the WW2 German use of laminated stocks the Soviets used them on Mosins, SKS's, and AK's up to modern times with no real change in the materials or technology.

However, having a "shooter" stock to put on any rifle with an original stock - especially one that is matched to the gun and/or difficult to replace - is probably a good idea to prevent damage or loss of an expensive or irreplacable stock.

At some point the supply of laminated stock Mosins will dry up, increasing the demand for and value of them, and making replacement stocks harder to find. When laminated stock 91/30's first appeared on the market, they were very scarce and went in the $350 range - this when regular stocked 91/30 rifles were in the $60 range. So grabbing these currently available rifles in quantity and putting them away sounds like a winning long-term investment and asset appreciation strategy.

[Army GI]

Thanks for the good info, Marcus

[Bobby Ricigliano]

At some point the supply of laminated stock Mosins will dry up, increasing the demand for and value of them, and making replacement stocks harder to find. When laminated stock 91/30's first appeared on the market, they were very scarce and went in the $350 range - this when regular stocked 91/30 rifles were in the $60 range. So grabbing these currently available rifles in quantity and putting them away sounds like a winning long-term investment and asset appreciation strategy.

That is a ton of information Marcus, thank you. I think when my Laminated 91/30 arrives I will give it a good cleaning and let it rest easy in my safe, having found its' 'Forever Home'....

[eagle eye]

Back to topic got mine laminated from classic nothing special to report on a quick look seems to be 1943 Izzi all matching cover in cosmoline but it looks brand new also comes with all accessories

[eagle eye]

Back to topic got mine laminated from classic nothing special to report on a quick look seems to be 1943 Izzi all matching cover in cosmoline but it looks brand new also comes with all accessories

[NOTABIKER]

very nice, i just picked up my first laminated. it is a 1944 M-44. i like hardwood and laminated stocks. win win

[89 Vision]

Wow absolutely beautiful Eagle Eye. Is that an X code one?

[eagle eye]

Wow absolutely beautiful Eagle Eye. Is that an X code one?

Yes, I choose the X code.

[NOTABIKER]

First of all that M44 is beautiful and I will be delighted if my X code looks like that.

Second, 1943 M44? HELLO! First year of production, rare, and collectible. Big score there my friend.

91-30 ????