M39 STOCK AND BARREL

[crankin12864]

I HAVE A 1944 M39 THAT I AM REPLACING THE STOCK ON. THE ORIGINAL STOCK WAS CRACKED IN 4 PLACES AND WAS BEYOND REPAIR. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS - SHOULD THE END OF THE BARREL TOUCH THE END OF THE STOCK OR SHOULD THERE BE A GAP ALL THE WAY AROUND IT IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE BARREL TO FLOAT???

I HAVE ANOTHER 1941 RM39 RIFLE AND THE END OF THE STOCK COMPLETELY CAPTURES THE BARREL - THERE IS NO GAP, BUT THE END OF THE STOCK HAS BROKEN AWAY. I AM GOING TO REPLACE THIS TOCK AS WELL.

THANKS,
crankin12864

[millman]

Ease up on the caplock brother.

[SA1911a1]

Show us some pics. It is a rare piece of wood that can not be repaired.

[crankin12864]

See the attached pic.

Thanks

[crankin12864]

Here is another M39 rifle that I have.

See the attached pic.

Thanks

[Tula44]

Ease up on the caplock brother.

[steelbuttplate]

It's designed to be wrapped up tight in wood and metal. You need shims.

[Mangrove]

WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS - SHOULD THE END OF THE BARREL TOUCH THE END OF THE STOCK OR SHOULD THERE BE A GAP ALL THE WAY AROUND IT IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE BARREL TO FLOAT???

According to 1959 and 1978 Finnish Defence Forces standing orders, the barrel should be in contact with the stock only at the front band and the receiver. "Minor" gaps between the receiver and the side of the stock are allowed. There should be a 1-2 mm gap between the back of the receiver and the corresponding cutaway on the stock. The two standing orders forbids loosening and/or overtightening any of the screws on the stock as this will cause cracks on the stock and lower the accuracy. If the rear band spring is not providing enough tension, the stock should be modified by adding a metal bar to the rear band.

According to another post-war Finnish Defence Forces permanent order, recoil lug must be in full contact with the stock. The contact area must be wide enough to counteract any force caused by tightening of the nut. There are both horizontal and vertical cracks. Horizontal cracks occur mainly near the "neck" of the stock and near the receiver. These are caused by rough handling, e.g hitting the butt to the ground. Vertical cracks near the receiver are cause by shooting with loose receiver screws.

The correct front band loosening/tightening procedure, according to Finnish Ministry of Defence manual "Kivääri 91", is as follows:
1) Tighten the screw so that the band does not move at all.
2) Loosen the screw 1/2 turns or more until the band can move a little bit.
3) Tighten the screw 1/4 turns.

Two tests mentioned in the Civil Guard and Finnish Defence Forces literature and the permanent orders are the sheet of paper test described earlier and an angle test. The angle test can be performed after the sheet of paper test. If the rifle is lifted to a 45 degree angle (from the floor or a table?), the barrel should noticeably lift up from the stock and return to the original position when the rifle is turned to rest on its butt (i.e. 90 degree angle).

[crankin12864]

Thank you so much for the information. It helped a great deal.

Kiitos paljon tiedosta. Se auttoi paljon.