I am preparing to measure and cut the pillar for the forward action screw on a Mauser VZ-24. But it does not look like there is room to put one because of the raised piece of metal on the backside of the floor plate. I am considering grinding it off so it is flat. Does this make sense? Thanks for the guidance.

The front action screw on a standard mauser is a pillar, if it's bedded correctly. The only pillar needed -if that- is the rear screw.

The mauser originally had a rear 'pillar'. The rear action screw had a steel tube surrounding it. The sleave acts as a pillar. The front action screw already has a pillar.

Groan!

Pillars are part of the stock, integral to it. Spacers are not.

I know kelan understands that.

Sorry I can't address the issue any farther than that, not having pillar bedded any VZ-24's. Maybe someone who has will respond.

The other writers are correct, you only need a pillar for the rear screw.

I cut mine from stainless steel tubeing. They should be slightly longer than the distance between the tang and trigger guard so that the rear screw can be tightened without bending the action(mausers are kinda springy).

I glass bed the pillars into the stock when I glass bed the action.

daggaron
So what your saying is that spacers become pillars when glued in place? Pillar bedding is nothing but adding SPACERS to a STOCK to avoid the compression of that stock by the continuing pressure applied by the action screws. They can be in several formats including those cast in place. The mauser action was designed with PILLARS as part of that design. That DOES include the design of the front action screw recess and the spacer that seperates the rear tangs. You sir are mistaken. Pillars are generally attached to a stock but pillars are not bedding. Their purpose is not to alter the bedding of the rifle!! It is to stabilize the bedding from change over time.. Whether they are attached to the stock or not is totally irrelevant. I have installed pillars so I guess I do know what I'm talking about... do you?

Gunnut, I politly disagree. If I take apart a rifle and a pillar falls out, that wasn't a pillar but a spacer. And probably not a very good one.

sorry

I am using "spacers" then to improve the bedding in my stocks.

Perhaps some expert will explain how pillars are different in result from spacers.

At present I feel that the "M70" type bedding with the action and maybe the barrel crushed into the wood by fore and aft screws is not as good as the Mauser system using spacers or whatever.

I am tired of tightening screws. It can't be a good thing to have to do it in the first place.

I put a spacer around the rear screw in my 1957 M 70 Varmint rifle that I bought new. Previously I had glassed the entire barrel and action. The rifle was always a good one but not perfect in terms of staying sighted in.

Now the barrel is free floated and it's a perfect rifle now! I can call a shot at 200 yds and it will be right on! I mean right on! Rifles like that are, to me, rare and very desirable. It's so good to check that rear screw and find it always tight.

I really appreciate the good advice you all have been willing to share. I decided to cut off the "integral pillar/spacer" and went ahead and put in my own. I had good idea on how to cut it to the length I wanted...no I don't own a lathe, mill or Smithy. But I do own a drill press. I put the pillar in the chuck and then held a fine tooth metal blade against it then took a file to it all while the press was running. I took it out and within three tries I had it to the length I wanted and within .001 of being square. I bedded just the sleeves one night and then the rest the next night. thanks again for the advice.

I have a problem with pillar bedding if the pillar in not attached to the stock with tremendous rigidity.

I guess that is why there are all those ribs on the outside of a pillar urging the epoxy to hang on.

Otherwise, tighten the screws all you will, but the stock is still loose.

gunnut69,
Yep, I have done lots of pillars and know the difference between a pillar and a spacer. Apparently you do not. I have not done a VZ 24 specifically and was hoping to avoid rehashing old stuff here, so didn't want to address this any further except to steer the wrong thinkers in the right direction.

We have hashed this out many times before.

Ray Atkinson is one who was confused about it like you, but would never admit to being wrong.

Bill Leeper was man enough to speak the truth and agree with me. He is also an accomplished gunsmith who knows what he is talking about. Just a couple of for instances.

I am tired of this dead horse, and don't care to beat it any more. So there, since you address me specifically.

daga--\
The spacer between the rear tangs of a mauser action provides a solid non compressable surface for the rear action screw to tighten up on. As does a pillar. Names are meaningless since in this case the same purpose is served both by the mauser steel tube and the steel/aluminum/whatever tube that you've put in. Mauser designed the action so that the front of the tiggerguard assmebly and the front of the action are locked together mechanically. Not glued into the stock but it is even better, but kelan removed it and replaced it with a glued in place spacer... oops!! that makes it a pillar doesn't it?? Oh well.. Also sir just as an aside, most of the time the 'spacer' in the mauser action stays in the stock quite well. They were made tight enough to press fit the hole.. I don't personnally know Ray Atkinson but after reading your inaccuracies I wouldn't take your word about his failings. I submit sir that perhaps your the one with the confusion.. Ah and Clark-- for your statement. Remember- pillars are not bedding. The bedding needs to be done and correct before pillars are applied. Pillars are installed to prevent the wood between the action and the floorplate from compressing, changing the bedding we've already perfected. That is except for the mauser most actions require 2 such spacers. Of course now kelans mauser has escetially the same bedding system as a Remington 700.. Removing the 'spacer' on the front of the mauser and replacing it with a 'pillar' (spacer glued in place) had excentially no effect. Assuming of course kelan did it correctly. If he got it a bit short the front of the magazine box will contact the action and that usually plays havoc with accuravy... Kelan didn't damage anything he simply 'fixed a non-existant problem'. Oh and DAGA-- one last thing.. Explain the difference a glued in pillar has over the 'spacer' in the mauser rear most action screw or the interlocking design of the front screw recess. Why do YOU install pillars?

gunnut69,
Do a search and read all about it. Many pages have been written on this subject by many here. You are telling us nothing new. Again, I don't want to beat a dead horse.

ddagaron
Well it'ss good to see you follow your normal path.. When asked for specifics to support previous statements you run away..

gunzarus00,
Funny how you know my normal path. If you have been sitting on the side lines long enough to know that, then you should have learned more about bedding pillar versus Mauser action spacer.

Now it is your turn to attempt to be insulting, and I will let it go at that. It has been boring fun.

I'm sorry if you believed I was simply trying to insult you. I was trying to point out the incorrect nature of the information I saw being given to the author of the post. You chose to attack personally and I tried to engage in a discussion to define your point of view and it's differences with mine. Since you've not made any points and have steadfastly refused to make any statements of your position I must suppose your arguments were and are also pointless and without merit. Have a great day!