This stock cant be original!

[Dr Fox]

Delighted with my pickup of the Mk2 FAC Rapid. I have been around and had seen many of the original models with friends, but this is my first ownership of one.
The stock: On first firings, the hammer sound was being transmitted to my jaw area. This was coming through the stock. It just didn't feel right, so investigate.
First noticed that the safety lever could not be engaged easily it was too far recessed into the stock, funny as the action seemed to be as far back as it could go. (Photo) Also noted the retaining bolt did not centre in the stock on bolt down. Off with it and it could be seen that the block was not sitting in the stock bed. It was suspended on a glued in piece of ply at the rear recess, and was sitting on the access cap in the block base (photo). This had been the situation for a good while as the cap had imprinted in the stock floor.
So what to do? First of course would be to let that cap into a recess so the block could sit along its length, nope that would mean the action would drop the trigger onto the guard wood. So decided to build a 'floor' in the stock 4.2mm in height and in that inlet the cap. When done the side view of action looked as it should and the firing cycle was pleasant (photo).The accuracy have stepped up to the mark, cant do much about the safety without carving the stock behind it, so I can live with it. Yet another lash up, which prevented this rifle giving its best. Am I complaining? No, it could be thats the reason it came up for sale and I got it, result!

[angrybear]

I'd say the stock is a CS Sheffield, due to the stippling on the side, originals have smooth sides,
there should be a recess for the underside plug to sit in, but the buyer may have had the trigger issue sent it back & had a second stock 1/2 finished so they could raise the action.

I had the same trigger issue when I replaced a mk3 cassette with a mk4, my answer was to scallop the inside of the trigger guard, I'll take a pic once the camera battery's charged.
You can see the block is high as the bottom of the bolt plate is usually level with the top of the stock.

[angrybear]

OK couple of pics showing how I did the trigger fouling, scalloping the guard

In the tech section there's a data post with a pic of all the triggers Theoben used, you can see the early mk4 is much longer than the current set back mk4 blade.
As your magazine well isn't scalloped it shows yours is an earlier block.

[Dr Fox]

Angrybear.
A CS Sheffield ok.
The stock also had a large plug recess cut out, the type where an air nipple could be inserted for filling. 26mm internal to 20mm external I used a tapered plug to fill this, so I could fit a weaver and sling mount attachment.
From the serial number of rifle I get it to date 2005.
That stock mod of yours is a neat job, I will put that aside for a rainy day to do.

[angrybear]

Would that hole have been where the bottom plug cover is now ?
I've seen a few with the QF using that hole, but it can't work if you reg the rifle,
As the reg is a one way valve.

[Dr Fox]

The hole in the stock. No its a few inches forward of the bottom plug. Its 24mm inside narrowing down 20mm outside so it tapers. It sits just under entry to the fast flow, so too far back for a 90deg Dr Bob QF. Fitting it with a hardwood tapered plug, served well to fit a screw into it. Although glued in, the taper would resist any 'pull out'

[Ca_Varminter]

It might be set up for a RAW QF setup...



Stuart

[Dr Fox]

It might be set up for a RAW QF setup...



Stuart

Thats not impossible Stuart, could be a stock from another rifle or even this one with item removed.Thats a neat set up pictured there Stuart!

[Ca_Varminter]

Doe this hole just past the Receiver?
It could be a copy of what a Fellow Rapid tuner made...
He copied the design of the pressure gauge that Theoben made....
He just tuned it into a QF setup for a reg MKII!

This puts it about 20mm closer than the RAW unit I made!

Stuart