Think about the beveled lockplate edge suggestion for a minute. The edges are beveled to facilitate better/easier inletting...........to make the wood appear as if it grew around the metal. The two locks are solidly fastened together with a screw, and are solidly mated to the action. How could a beveled edge prevent cracking? It doesn't have the ability to slip against the wood under recoil, because it is so tightly bound to the lockplate on the other side.
McIntosh notwithstanding, I believe the problem with L C Smiths cracking behind the lock plates and tangs is not because the plates are not beveled, rather because there is so little surface area at the head of the stock to absorb the recoil of the action against it that it compresses much too easily. Then, all other closely inlet metal to wood surfaces become recoil bearing surfaces.
I would welcome the correction of a professional stockmaker if I am wrong in this regard. Because, if I am wrong I want to be right in my understanding of the forces at play.
SRH
Last edited by Stan; 06/13/18 10:24 PM.
