Stock Starting to Crack

[GregC]

My new Tip Curtis Tulle stock is cracking right behind the tang. Not much but just a little bit - actually a piece chipped out yesterday at the range.

I called Tip today and he said to send it back and he would bed the tang and back of the breech for me at no charge.

Are there other ways to fix this?

I am running 80 grns FFFG and .600 balls. Probably a pretty stout load.

Thanks

Greg

 

[Mike Brooks]

That's caused by the back of the tang touching wood, which isn't recomended. It needs woood relieved in that area, not neccesarily beded...unless the barrel is improperly seated, which wouldn't surprise me.

 

[musketman]

As for the crack, you can force wood glue down in the crevasse and allow it to dry...

 

[Dave K]

Great news that he is willing to fix it. I am sure he will do a good job of it.

 

[CrackStock]

You started out by mentioning a crack which to me implies a split along the grain, but then you mentioned a chip. Are they the same? Is the chip the end of the crack?

One is caused by the tang meeting the surface wood which knocks out a chip where it is weak by not being supported by wood behind it. There are a few fixes for this. You can extend the tang, make a decorative finial to cover the damage or simply glue it back with a strong epoxy or accraglass while bedding that area. All work.

However, if there is a crack, it could have been caused by improper aging of the wood which poses other concerns. It could also be patched by the acraglass bedding, but it means that the wood may develop other problems later.

Just something to consider.

CS