I just purchased a used rifle that appears to have been given a permanent glass bedding job. (No release coating applied to metal before bedding.) The glass bed extends the whole length of the action and for about 3 inches of the barrel. Although I am comfortable with this situation now, I can see problems in the future. For example : the barrel has a sporter contour, so it is unclear how the barrel would ever be replaced when worn out. The trigger mechanism may have to be cleaned. The barrel channel may have to relieved if the stock warps with age, etc.

So..., in the event that the barreled action must be removed from the stock, how would one go about it or is it impossible. (It is a wood stock if that makes a difference.)

Thank you for any advice that you can pass on.


rollinghills

I certainly won't swear it will work, but for glued-in benchrest rifles/stocks, placing them in a freezer for awhile usually works (chest-type freezer, of course). Whacking the barrel with a plastic mallet might also loosen everything if it is just tight and not actually permanently glued together.

Stick it in a chest freezer overnight. The next morning take it out and give the bbl a couple of raps with a dead blow mallet on the underside where the forearm ends. Also if you have stock maker screws you might try removing the bottom metal, install the screws and give them a couple of sharp taps with a brass hammer. It should go with out saying, but do not smack it like a gorilla. Either should work as long as the bedding compound has not created a mechanical or "key" lock with holes or indentions on the underside of the action.
Good luck, Alan

Thank you for the replies. I will file this information away for future reference when needed. The action is a SAKO AI, and it has a fairly busy underside, but I will hope for no mechanical interlockage.

Has any one ever heard of a "Hot Oven" methjod for breaking the bond of the metal to the glass bed? I seem to remember reading about such a method many years ago.

rolling hills

I had a can of fiberglass mold release agent one time used that on a rifle that was bedded in. dumped a bunch on let it set and she came out. That was over 20 years ago could not tell you what kind now. I would think heating up the action would take it out.

Brownells.com sells glass and steel bedding kits you might give them a call or an email on how to remove the action.

Swede44mag

I have yet to deal with one that had been glued in with no release agent at all but have had two that friends had done where not enough was used.
I put some Kroil penetrating oil along the metal at the bonded area, applied heat to the stock with a hair drier and then tapped it as mantioned by others. It worked with some persistance. The freezing idea would help, as the stock will expand when warming up faster than the metal.
Good Luck!

One sure fire way to do this is to break up some diy ice and fill a cardbord rifle box about 1/2 way. Bury the rifle in the dry ice for about 10 min. USE GLOVES and take it out. The screws come out with out much of a fight, and the barreled action will come out with only light tapping with a hammer hamdle..
I have done about a dz rifles this way in my shop when people have glasses them improperly. Works great.