Racked stock TC Hawking

[rcflyerjr]

Would this rifle be safe to use without repairs to the crack?

 

[Bill M.]

Easy crack to fix. It is going to get worse if you shoot it. I see no point in not getting it fixed before shooting it.

Safe? as in the barrel will not fly back into your face? I suppose so. Maybe some electrical tape if you are really stubborn about not fixing it,

 

[rcflyerjr]

I just bought it as is really cheap. Less than 250. Everything else looks in good shape. I just wanted to test fire a couple times with a light 70g charge.

 

[bubba.50]

Safe? Nobody can make that call but you. It won’t blow up and kill you………..probably. Myself? I’d fix it.

 

[bubba.50]

A few small holes, a matching number of dowels/pins/screws/etc to fit those holes, a little Titebond2 and a little bit of time then you’ll knnow.

 

[ord sgt]

Fix the cracked stock. While waiting for the fix to cure, remove the peep sight. It appears the sight base is the cause of the crack.

 

[rcflyerjr]

I was looking for (still looking) for a Kentucky rifle when I ran across this one. My first black powder rifle. I have many black powder pistols and love shooting them. Thought it was time to branch out.

 

[SDSmlf]

Would this rifle be safe to use without repairs to the crack?

Looks to be a bit more than a crack, with someone hogging out a good size chunk of the stock to mount the sight to the barrel. The ‘crack’ is repairable, and you should be able to fit a patch to replace the missing wood, though it will be tough to blend in. One thing that I would be concerned about, particularly when I see this level of craftsmanship, is did the installer of the sight drill the mounting holes too deep and break into the bore? The hogged out stock and what looks like a brass shim under the sight tells me this installation project didn’t go well from the start.

 

[user 48679]

If you remove the sight & plug the ignition passageway, blow hard down the barrel - if there's leakage, it means that the sight holes were drilled entirely through the barrel wall, into the powder chamber.

 

[bubba.50]

I just bought it as is really cheap. Less than 250. Everything else looks in good shape. I just wanted to test fire a couple times with a light 70g charge.

No offense but with that level of "craftsmanship" installing that sight, even at 'less than 250' you overpaid.

My opinion and yer welcome to it.

 

[Prairieofthedog]

Looks to be a bit more than a crack, with someone hogging out a good size chunk of the stock to mount the sight to the barrel. The ‘crack’ is repairable, and you should be able to fit a patch to replace the missing wood, though it will be tough to blend in. One thing that I would be concerned about, particularly when I see this level of craftsmanship, is did the installer of the sight drill the mounting holes too deep and break into the bore? The hogged out stock and what looks like a brass shim under the sight tells me this installation project didn’t go well from the start.
View attachment 118859

They truly "Bubbafied" that one!

 

[bubba.50]

They truly "Bubbafied" that one!

I know I'm a screw-up but why do I get blamed for EVERYTHING?

 

[Grenadier1758]

@bubba.50, too many other "Bubbas" have created a stereotype that doesn't apply to you.

 

[FishDFly]

They truly "Bubbafied" that one!

And folks wonder about buying used ML's.

 

[SDSmlf]

No offense but with that level of "craftsmanship" installing that sight, even at 'less than 250' you overpaid.

My opinion and yer welcome to it.

I was just trying to be polite about what I saw in the GB photograph.

 

[bubba.50]

@bubba.50, too many other "Bubbas" have created a stereotype that doesn't apply to you.

It's probably applied to me once or twice in my early days of this addiction.

 

[N.Y. Yankee]

They sell Hawkings stocks on Ebay all the time. Its just screwdriver technology.

 

[rcflyerjr]

They sell Hawkings stocks on Ebay all the time. Its just screwdriver technology.

And barrels! I looked it up already since I knew the potential problems. $220 will replace both.

 

[vintovka]

And barrels! I looked it up already since I knew the potential problems. $220 will replace both.

Prolly $220 each that in todays inflated markets. FWIW it seems the affected area may develop cracks even without the massive inlet on yours. On many it seems only a matter of time. I know of a NIB .54 tc with a crack like yours without any addl inlets.

If rear peep isn't affecting barrel safety then the addition of a full brass or steel/iron side plate may help salvage the stock. I have seen one that covers the entire area to the edges epoxied in place with a small wood outline.

If barrel is compromised it is possible to cut off that section and reinstall plug. tenon and ramrod rib. Peep sale would help with $$.

 

[MrMackc]

Would this rifle be safe to use without repairs to the crack?

To answer your question I have to say NO, If you are an equal craftsman as the sight installer put a slim stainless metal hose clamp around the stock and barrel between the nipple and the sight and tighten the crap out of it, and shoot a 30 or fifty gn load of 777 and see if you survive the busted stock tearing up your face or shoulder. (Wanna buy some $9.99/month Life Insurance?)