Need some expert advise on recent purchase.

[MacD]

I just picked up a Swede M38 Husky dated 1943. I ordered from a guy based on his description, no pics. I paid $200. Bore is perfect and stock disk indicates bore condition of 0 (no punch by 1,2, or 3), blueing is 90% but stock is cracked in three places, not deep or gaping or anything like that, but still cracks. All numbers match. Threaded barrel.

He didnt mention the stock was cracked in his description. I have found a nice replacement beech stock and handgaurd for $50. The guy I bought the M38 wont budge on price but he is offering me full refund if I send it back.

Should I send back and look for something else or keep? I think $200 for a Husky M38 was a good price. But by time I get a replacement stock it isnt much of a deal. What would you do?

[GunGuy98]

If it's the original stock to the gun I'd just repair the cracks:) If you decide to go with the other stock it still wouldn't be a bad price for a sweed in the condition you describe.
I have a Vietnam bring back type 56 sks that has 3 noticable cracks in the stock and I could just replace the stock but I think the piece would loose character, so I'm repairing the cracks and keeping everything original:D

[Guinny_Ire]

Only you know what the crack looks like and only you know if you feel comfortable repairing it. You either want it enough to fix it or send it back. I'm not trying to be rude but even with pictures it either really bothers you or it doesn't to the point that you want to keep it. I wouldn't sit on it for a while trying to make a decision

[RetVet]

I guess part of it would depend on where the cracks are. If they're in a place where they're going to get worse from shooting, I'd be concerned unless you can fix them easy enough. I have a lot of guns with cracked, but repaired stocks. While I prefer no cracks (like everyone), cracks are not that big a deal to me.

I guess it's all in whether or not you'll be happy with it.

[Misguided]

$250 for a husky is cheap

[cwalker3]

I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I do think that Husky's are relatively rare compared to other Swede's. I paid under $200 for mine last year from Samco when they had them, but they don't have any more so that's a moot point.

If it were me, and the cracks weren't too bad, I'd keep it and make repairs. If you're not quite sure about how to make repairs, post some pictures of the cracks if you can and you'll get some excellent advice. Since mechanically the rifle is in excellent shape, I'd consider myself ahead of the game.

[MacD]

I think I am going to keep her. From some of my checking bent bolt husqvarna M38's are in the range of $300+. Other than the stock it is mechanically perfect with 0 bore condition. I am not am not sure how to fix the stock so i will post some pics and maybe someone can help me out.

[cwalker3]

MacD, Redstar has an excellent stock repair tutorial posted here: http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62298