jpndave
Well-Known Member
If you attempt the repair, keep in mind that whatever is used to reinforce the front end needs to contact the original skin. If you bed in some arrows (I have done this to a wood stock with good success) if it is just in the foam you are headed to another failure. I would bond the pieces back together if it will go cleanly. Make sure it is stiffened up enough to keep the shape by temporarily reinforcing the outside. Then hollow out the inside foam down to the skin (easier than it sounds if you know what you are doing) and either lay some carbon cloth on inside of the forend all the way back to the recoil lug or you could go carbon shafts and then a lightweight epoxy fill rather than foam. It will add a few ounces but it won't break again. Bondo, blend and refinish. A bit of work but if you like the rifle might be worth it.
If they replace it you will be right back here in time if not reinforced. There is little to no strength to the foam other than holding the skin apart/together. The holes added would only weaken the forend minimally unless you fractured that skin then all bets are off as that is really marginal to start with the way that was laid up.
If they replace it you will be right back here in time if not reinforced. There is little to no strength to the foam other than holding the skin apart/together. The holes added would only weaken the forend minimally unless you fractured that skin then all bets are off as that is really marginal to start with the way that was laid up.