Cracks in the Remington 740 forend

nsg5257

March 25, 2015 10:23

Does anyone the underlying cause of the cracks in the Remington 740/742 forends? Before I buy a new wood one, I'd like to know if there is a reason so many crack & if it can be prevented. Thanks

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  charliemeyer007

  March 25, 2015 11:31

  I think it is thin wood failure. Get a synthetic or a Ruger Boat Anchor design wood one and it will last.
  
  Force the crack open, work in some epoxy. Bungee it up to dry.
  
  http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Remington-33454/Rifles-37895/740-39565.htm?results=All

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  tsr1965

  March 25, 2015 11:49

  The forend has probably outlasted the reliability of the rifle itself. It was inherently a poor designed rifle series, all the way around...function, and reliability, ergonomics, etc. They are not the only "Thin" forearms to do so...Winchester 1894's, Browning A-5's, and a few others. Synthetic will fix it for sure, and you might try a laminate, from Boyd's.
  
  Best

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  navc130

  March 25, 2015 11:52

  Regular wood glue (type II) will work well to repair it. If the visual appearance of the cracks bother you, then you need a new piece.

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  nsg5257

  March 25, 2015 12:58

  The wood is very thin as you said. I know the Browning A-5 would crack if it was not screwed down tight. I would think the steel liners would have prevented it. I have used wood glue as well is bedding compound. Both failed to hold it. It looks like synthetic will be the only choice if there is not a trick to the installation of it.

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  hoosier

  March 25, 2015 20:36

  Current forearms will not fit.
  The older 740 and some 742 rifles used a thicker and wider action bars. These will not fit in the forearm of current 7400.
  
  A design change mid 1970's corrected the problem

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  Mobuck

  March 26, 2015 01:48

  I installed a Knox stock & fore end (synthetic) on my older model 742. Nothing to it and function was fine.
  The cause of the cracks? I don't know as 5 of the six 742 rifles I've owned were fine while the 6th had a cracked forearm. It may be due to the action bars flexing outward in the initial stages of cycling.
  Older brother had a 742 circa 1966(?) that he had restocked-the original forearm was cracked(not the reason for restocking). About 20 rounds later the nicely figured forearm cracked--not a happy moment.

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