Originally Posted by 7.62NATO

I feel that sanding and using shims is redundant. Thom2 did it, but it doesn't make sense to me. If you sand the barrel channel out and it passes the dollar bill test (i.e. there is no resistance from the stock), then I see no purpose for using shims. The goal is to float the barrel. If there's no resistance, the barrel is floated. Why did Thom2 use shims then? Beats me. I think because he did the shims first, and it did not pass the dollar bill test, so he also had to sand. At that point I would have just sanded until I didn't need the shims any longer.

I am going to fill the void between the lug pockets tonight with some J-B Weld putty and will report back on how well it does (I am hoping it will bond to the stock). That will reinforce the rear of the front pocket but not the rear. I am not sure how the rear of the rear pocket can be reinforced, but I will take a look at it tonight.

Did I say "rear" enough times to confuse you???