Reinforce TC Hawken stock

[Huntinshep]

I know TC Hawkens are prone to crack near the lock bolt. I just got one that does not have that problem and I would like to avoid it. I read a post that was dealing with the TC Cougar and there was a post in that section from a member back in 2006 that explained how to reinforce the stock. Things certainly have changed with TC since then and they do not do that work or have parts. I was wondering if any members that work with guns could reinforce the stock. I am not the best at doing that kind of work. PM me if you could help. Thanks.

 

[Stykbow]

I’m sure it could be reinforced, but as long as you don’t over tighten the lock bolt it won’t crack. Just snug it up. Do not crank down on it and you’ll be good to go.

 

[The Appalachian]

Most cracks are from over tightening the lock bolt. Simply don't do that.

I'll add too, that side plates back in the day were more than just ornamental.......

 

[Huntinshep]

Thanks for your information. I'll be careful with the lock bolt.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I am redoing a TC stock that cracked internally at the lock bolt hole. I drilled out the existing hole, glued in a 3/8" hickory dowel and re-drilled the hole. I also replaced all the cracked wood in the inlet with new wood. You can see the glue lines running from the lock bolt hole to the sear hole where I dug out the cracked wood and replaced it with new wood. I later stained all my hickory dowel ends with leather dye so they don't show as being different from the walnut.

I also drilled out the tang screw holes, glued in hickory dowels, installed threaded bushings in the trigger inlet and replaced the tang screws with tang bolts. I have already stained the rear dowel to hide it.

I have since blued the bolt heads.

 

[Fly Navy]

Nicely done repair. Looks good.

 

[necchi]

I know TC Hawkens are prone to crack near the lock bolt. I just got one that does not have that problem and I would like to avoid it.

That became a known problem to T/C back in the early 90's and they made a change in design to help stop the "lifetime" warranty replacement of stocks due to the issue. I think the change was with the new 1993 models and up.
It was nothing to do with the lock plate bolt, it was the tang/stock mating and what's referred to as "button-up".
Early models like @Eric Krewson share had just two wood screws holding the tang in place, he demonstrates a proper repair for that model as the trigger was held in place with wood screws also.
The change/correction to the problem T/C made was making the front tang screw into a through tang bolt that fastened to the thread tapped trigger plate itself with double trigger models or into the tapped single trigger assembly.

So is yours an early, or late model? Screw or Bolt?

Otherwise, most of the damage to these things are from guy's that think all screws must be tightened by a Gorilla!

 

[Huntinshep]

The person I purchased the gun from said it was made in the 70's so I guess screws

 

[Huntinshep]

It is screws.