Forend split.

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   So I acquired a lee enfield no 1 mk 3 a couple of months ago. Right in front of the magazine well a split in the forend formed. I glued it and clamped it but it split again after I shot 10 rounds through it. I took it to a gunsmith who glued it again with the same results. Now I'm starting to think the stock has to much oil in it for the glue the bond. I'm thinking about pinning it but the gun smith said the forend is too thin for a pin job. What's the consensus? Any feed back would be greatly appreciated.  

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Emerritt14 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June 30 2022 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Emerritt14 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Forend split. Posted: October 21 2022 at 1:33pm
	So I acquired a lee enfield no 1 mk 3 a couple of months ago. Right in front of the magazine well a split in the forend formed. I glued it and clamped it but it split again after I shot 10 rounds through it. I took it to a gunsmith who glued it again with the same results. Now I'm starting to think the stock has to much oil in it for the glue the bond. I'm thinking about pinning it but the gun smith said the forend is too thin for a pin job. What's the consensus? Any feed back would be greatly appreciated.

shiloh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January 08 2019 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 3049	Post Options Post Reply Quote shiloh Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 22 2022 at 3:41am
	I`ll speculate here but it sounds like there is space at the draws allowing the fore-stock to move rearward under recoil causing the trigger guard to act like a wedge splitting the stock. Also the old wood is more than likely oil soaked which makes gluing a real challenge. You`ll need to check the fitment of the stock to the receiver to see if this is the cause, it should fit snug with no movement fore and aft, and make any required repairs in that area before addressing the splitting.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 22 2022 at 5:55pm
	^^^ this. The stock is supposed to be "drawn up" (forced) into the receiver. If there is any any 'slack" this is a prime symptom of it. This is part of why matching numbers actually matter, there was a lot of Victorian era "some gunsmithing required" fitting involved.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)