Recoil lug bedding question

[tonyben]

I noticed on a SSA M40 stock I have that they broke the edge where the recoil lug meets the receiver face. Is this necessary?

Mine

Theirs

I just bedded this one last night for a customer M40 build and I'm letting the epoxy cure for 48 hours before I install and torque the action screws, so I have time to relieve this if I need to.

Tony.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I usually break the edge.

 

[Toolbreaker]

Breaking that edge would help keep it from chipping during assembly & disassembly. If it chips, the trash could wind up under the action or recoil lug.

 

[tonyben]

Thanks. I'll break the edge. I might add a layer of clay before bedding on future builds.

Tony.

 

[swd]

I just break the edge with a scraper or razor blade. You don't need clay. It doesn't need to be anything like the one in the picture. Here's one I did last week. Just enough to break the edge is all you need.

 

[tonyben]

Got it! Done!

 

[Judd]

I was taught to break the edge so it won’t chip in the future too. I’ve got a small half moon on one side and flat on the other file I use to break that edge and break the edge at the top of the stock. Just cleans stuff up and keeps folks from chipping it (as Toolbreaker mentioned above).