m1 carbine stock ??

b00 · July 19, 2007, 09:25 AM

I am going to refinish the stock on my m1 carbine because someone applied many coats of some ugly varnish to it. Does the metal spring piece that retains the front barrel band/ bayonet lug come out of the stock easily or should it just be left in when refinishing.

James K · July 19, 2007, 12:40 PM

Since the band spring on a carbine is not tightly fitted, I doubt that you will splinter the wood trying to remove it, so I would go ahead and just stop if it looks like there is going to be any damage. It is driven out from the other side; just insert a punch in that hole and tap the band spring right out.

Jim

b00 · July 19, 2007, 03:41 PM

Came right out. Thanks

Tom2 · July 21, 2007, 09:41 PM

Lot of folks will recommend boiled linseed oil applied as a finish to the carbine for absolute authenticity as it was the original finish. It is time consuming and takes a long time to dry between thin coats. I did it before but I hate it. If you are just rebuilding a shooter and not a super authentic restoration, you might try something like one of the low gloss tung oil finishes. Try it on some scrap walnut and see if you like the look or not. I gave up and used that on mine to put recoating and sticky feeling stocks behind me. Maybe a slight bit glossier than plain linseed but not bad looking to me. I once was taking a carbine to a gun show that I had treated carefully with many thin coats of linseed oil before. It started to lightly sprinkle rain and everywhere a droplet touched the stock, it left a blemish in the linseed oil that was very difficult to rub out before I sold it. I had figured it would bead right off and not do anything to it. And it seemed to feel tacky forever on guns I put it on.

July 19, 2007, 09:25 AM	#1
b00 Member Join Date: January 22, 2007 Posts: 47	m1 carbine stock ?? I am going to refinish the stock on my m1 carbine because someone applied many coats of some ugly varnish to it. Does the metal spring piece that retains the front barrel band/ bayonet lug come out of the stock easily or should it just be left in when refinishing.

July 19, 2007, 12:40 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Since the band spring on a carbine is not tightly fitted, I doubt that you will splinter the wood trying to remove it, so I would go ahead and just stop if it looks like there is going to be any damage. It is driven out from the other side; just insert a punch in that hole and tap the band spring right out. Jim

July 19, 2007, 03:41 PM	#3
b00 Member Join Date: January 22, 2007 Posts: 47	Came right out. Thanks

July 21, 2007, 09:41 PM	#4
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Lot of folks will recommend boiled linseed oil applied as a finish to the carbine for absolute authenticity as it was the original finish. It is time consuming and takes a long time to dry between thin coats. I did it before but I hate it. If you are just rebuilding a shooter and not a super authentic restoration, you might try something like one of the low gloss tung oil finishes. Try it on some scrap walnut and see if you like the look or not. I gave up and used that on mine to put recoating and sticky feeling stocks behind me. Maybe a slight bit glossier than plain linseed but not bad looking to me. I once was taking a carbine to a gun show that I had treated carefully with many thin coats of linseed oil before. It started to lightly sprinkle rain and everywhere a droplet touched the stock, it left a blemish in the linseed oil that was very difficult to rub out before I sold it. I had figured it would bead right off and not do anything to it. And it seemed to feel tacky forever on guns I put it on.