Small crack near tang

[steve143]

I have a 1929 Fox Sterlingworth 20 gauge that has a 1/2" hairline crack in the stock on where it meets the receiver on the right upper side near the tang. The crack is very small and is hard to notice unless you really look. The receiver stock fitting is very tight and there is no movement. Will using the gun with a small crack normally cause further damage? Are cracks like this fixable? The gun means alot to me since my grandfather purchased it new in 1929 and I want to do the right thing. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Steve H in NH

[lee r moege]

I would have it fixed before I shot it much. It can be repaired in most cases to where you can't even see it. The heading,[where the wood meets the sides of the frame] is where the chips and splinters originate when the tang bedding is loose and the frame becomes loose in the wood. In N.H. I had New England Custom Guns fix a Mannlicher-Schoenauer for me that had a crack at the back of the tang, and you can't see it unless you know where it was. Other members may be able to point you to someone else in your area. Get the chamber length and barrel wall thickness checked while you are at it, shoot low pressure loads like RST's, and enjoy grandad's 20 ga. Lee.

[steve143]

Thanks for the advice Lee. I was trying to convince myself that I would be ok using for the upcoming season, but I know the prudent thing is to get it evaluated and fixed by a professional. Have a good weekend. Steve

[Silvers]

Usually cracks on the right side are not as bad as on the left, where there's a cut-out for the head of the yoke screw. Often these cracks propagate, at other times they don't go anywhere. I agree with the advice to have a pro pull the stock and look at what's happening inside the inletting cuts. I've seen small cracks on the outside that are big ones inside. Also have seen small cracks on the outside and nothing inside. Silvers