American Handgunner March/April 1981

Dave Yeh' of H-S Precision mills outexcess compound after bedding action.wrenchers. Duratite wood dough (by DAPInc.) works well, as it's light, and will stickto the stock, but not your hand while youmold the 'mess to fit.The strength of the foam stock is lessthan that of a wood or fiberglass version.You could break it if you used it for ahammer, and I expect you wouldn't haveto strain too hard to bust it in half withyour bare hands. Still, it wasn't designedfor that sort of abuse, but rather for theforces exerted by the recoiling action andthe resisting hand. There's a piece of aluminumtubing in the grip for reinforcementand recent stocks incorporate a stripof fiberglass cloth around the recoil lug.I've heard of two stocks that were brokenin that area, the thinnest and henceweakest portion of any stock. One wasbroken in the struggle to remove the actionfrom the bedding compound, the other ona· friend's 7mm-08 failed while we werechrono'ing some loads. However, as thecrack propagated from the top ofthe stockdown I suspect it was damaged by pryingthe rear ofthe action out ofthe compoundfirst, which forces the barrel down on thefarend.I took that stock back to H-S owner TomHoughton, and although they probablyweren't responsible, he replaced it. That'snice, but more importantly for the rest ofus, Tom decided on the spot to add someglass cloth to that area to eliminate theproblem.WHAT PRECISION MEANSI had my stock bedded to my 8mmIHMSA by H-S, and they do nice work.Myself, I'm prone to clean out the excessbedding with a Dremil and a chisel, butthey use a mill. Even though most customerswouldn't know the difference Tom feelsthat's the best way to do it, and I guessthat's what "Precision" means.I've shot the stock for six months or so,around 500 rounds. Visibly neither thestock nor the bedding show any sign ofdistress, but the tail of the stock is nowfloating off of the bedding.I don't know for sure that it hasn't beenthat way from the start, but I suspect ithasn't. I'm prone to snug the action inextra firm, and as I had only a half inch orso of the barrel bedded I expect that withthis limited support I've over stressed thefoam in this area. As you can't pillar bedan XP because of the trigger bar, I'drecommend that the bedding extend downthe barrel a couple of inches, and that theinletting be opened up so that a lot ofcompound can be placed around the recoillug to spread the clamping force over alarger area. That, and drilling and tappingthe action for a rear action screw shouldeliminate the problem of the over zealouswrench.At least, that's what I'm going to do tomine. No way I'm going back ~to that nylon stock. ~Roughing up the stock before compound.9mm'Short - .380ACP.. -FULLY ADJUSTABLE/ TARGET SIGHTSTAINLESSBARRELS ONALL MODELSSLIMMERSLIDE AND FRAMEEASYTAKE DOWNLOOK AGAIN!THE NEW MARK IIALL AMERICAN-MADEDOUBLE ACTION.380For people who wanta 9mm with less velocity.Available in stainless or blue finish..At your firearms dealer or sendfor catalog. Please enclose 25 cents.LOW PROFILESERRATEDHAMMERROLLING BLOCKSAFETYHAND-CHECKEREDAMERICAN~--WALNUT GRIPSTERLING ARMS CORPORATION,211 GRAND' STREET, LOCKPORT. N.Y. 140947-ROUNDMAGAZINEIAMERICAN HANDGUNNER· MARCH/APRIL,198l13