Refinishing my 853 stock.

[Ronfiveo]

I'm refinishing the stock on my 853.

I have it all sanded down, including the "whisker" wet sanding to bring out the grain, to 400 grit.

I noticed a feature toward the forward stock end.
It looks like a wooden plug was made and inserted all the way through to the other side toward the end of the forearm.

Here's what appears to be a wooden plug.


Does anyone know of a reason for this?
Is this plug on all 853s or is is only on mine?

Thanks for your help.

[splitbeing]

Not sure about the plug, but looking forward to the results and process posts!

[Ronfiveo]

Here's where it stands now with it wet sanded for raising the grain at 400 grit.
The photo doesn't really show how smooth it is. On one of the final sanding with Tru-Oil,
Will be with 600 grit or maybe even some 1000 grit with a last very light application of Tru-Oil.

Right now it feels so smooth it actually feels soft.



Ron

[Artie]

I don't own an 853 but have seen many photos of them and several photos showed a plug in that location. I've often wondered why the plug was there.

[Ronfiveo]

I don't own an 853 but have seen many photos of them and several photos showed a plug in that location. I've often wondered why the plug was there.

It could be that this stock was also used for other Avanti models and for the 853 the hole that was there was different from
the other model(s) the stock could fit.

Other than that I can't think of another reason other than being a mistake of some sort.

Ron

[lillysdad621]

nah, my 753 and 853 both have it. My theory is that maybe the jig that copies the stocks at the factory holds several blanks at once, and that drill hole may be used to hold them in place while the blades and sanders go to town... Its in all of them but the 953 and new synthetic stock ones (which are molded plastic, so it does not require the hole)

[Ronfiveo]

Thanks for the information, lillysdad621.
Now I know it's not just mine.

Ron

[tennx]

Just for the record mine has it…I think it gives it character…good luck

[Ronfiveo]

Just for the record mine has it…I think it gives it character…good luck

Thanks, Phil.
I do too.

Ron

[Back_Roads]

 Could be something done wrong and the whole lot got reworked

[mr007s]

Mine also has the wooden plug

[Matchstickshooter]

I'm refinishing the stock on my 853.

I have it all sanded down, including the "whisker" wet sanding to bring out the grain, to 400 grit.

I noticed a feature toward the forward stock end.
It looks like a wooden plug was made and inserted all the way through to the other side toward the end of the forearm.

Here's what appears to be a wooden plug.


Does anyone know of a reason for this?
Is this plug on all 853s or is is only on mine?

Thanks for your help.

I ended up with my 853C as a restoration project.
 Wouldn't pump or fire at first like the valve was in lockup.
Ronno6 had a seal kit for me.
Came with sling (rusty buckles) missing rear sight, very rusty front sight.
 Apparently the stock tends to crack there.
Mine has the plug (and crack) but one side of the plug had loosened.
 I  reglued and clamped it. I refinished the whole stock after. I even managed to save the sticker that came on the stock.



these are awesome shooters!    HTH

[Ronfiveo]

Mine arrived and looked almost brand new.

What did you finish yours with, Wendell ?

Ron

[Matchstickshooter]

Mine arrived and looked almost brand new.

What did you finish yours with, Wendell ?

Ron

  Sanded down to bare wood, then used Formby's Tung Oil on it.

[jccams]

I'm refinishing the stock on my 853.

I have it all sanded down, including the "whisker" wet sanding to bring out the grain, to 400 grit.

I noticed a feature toward the forward stock end.
It looks like a wooden plug was made and inserted all the way through to the other side toward the end of the forearm.

Here's what appears to be a wooden plug.



Does anyone know of a reason for this?
Is this plug on all 853s or is is only on mine?

Thanks for your help.

It's in mine too Ron, although I do not know why.

[tennx]

I certainly admire u folks that refinish ,no matter the gun….years ago I bought a new 1994 397..beautiful wood as I remember….anywho i bent the pump arm…didnt have a clue then how to repair so sent the gun off …came back in a timely fashion…fast forward to GTA ….from reading on here it occurred to me that when gun was repaired they swapped out forearm and mechanism as a unit….stock has a nice tiger stripe and forearm blah,blah…I bought everything needed to refinish but just couldnt do it to that tiger striped stock…lol…good luck

[mafatone]

I just clear coated my stock. I like that Shiney look.

[Ronfiveo]

Mine arrived and looked almost brand new.

What did you finish yours with, Wendell ?

Ron

  Sanded down to bare wood, then used Formby's Tung Oil on it.

Thanks, Wendell.

Ron

[Ronfiveo]

I just clear coated my stock. I like that Shiney look.

I'm torn between high gloss and satin finishes.
I think I'm going to go high gloss to begin with, and if I don't like it I can just steel wool buff it
until it's more of a satin.

Ron

[Rick67]

Pale looks nice when done right 

They’re not mine