Changing a sporter stock and forearm

[Joseph Scott 0]

I thought it time again to tell how to change (remove recoil tube) in a sporter stock. Most have a wood plug over a blind recoil key instead of the external screws on originals. You need to dig out the plug and locate the blind key (3/16" sq) inside. Then drill a hole directly opposite so you can punch out the metal key. Before doing this, you need to partially unscrew the large buffer screw under the recoil pad, this takes the tension off the key. ( Some recoil pads are also glued on and you may have to use a blade to split them off). Then you can punch out the key. Many have epoxy around them holding them. After you get the key out, then unscrew the buffer about 1/4" and bump tube forward towards receiver end. When it moves, remove buffer and use a 5/8" dowel to push tube out forward. If it doesn't move, soak with penetrant from both ends. If that doesn't work, you may have to split the wood. The buffer end is very thin and has special threads so don't use anything hard to move it out. Inspect main spring for length =12", and buffer assembly for free motion.

When installing tube in a new stock, be sure new recoil key goes through the notch on tube.

Many sporter forearms are not cut for the removable pull pin and also have a short blind pin retained by the wood, remove two large head screws underneath and drop fore arm straight downward, remove short pin when installing original style fore arm.