Splitting stock...

Definitely an inevitable failure. That's bad grain structure for most stocks, particularly undesirable on most lever gun designs.

Repairable (to better than new).
But not your fault. Well, it could have been aggravated by rough handling, rough transport, or improper storage (using it as a coat rack, for example); ... but it was still an inevitable failure and I don't think it was your fault.
 
As stated above, it can be fixed via injection with some thin epoxy and proper curing.

Another thing that a gunsmith can checking is the inletting at the rear tang. It occasionally helps to bed the rear of the receiver or tang at a stress point (such as the wrist) so that the bedding absorbs the impact rather than the wood.

Wood is flexible. It will swell, shrink, bend. I wonder if the tang is tight in the stock and the wood shrunk due to the temperature, creating pressure.
 
Man, this is a great forum.

Thank you all for the advice. I don't mean to play dumb, but it was tough to get a photo that showed the crack, esp. since it was right down the grain. I can't tell from the comments if they're sarcastic or not regarding the "excellent" photos.

I will definitely contact Winchester, without expectations of any kind, but if the photos need work, I can try to get better lighting, angles, etc.
 
No sarcasm from me either..... Your photos are "forensic grade"... Clearly show the defect/crack, and clearly show the grain direction and location.
 
The split at the stock wrist is common, due to recoil and the rounded metal at the end of the tang. If you remove the stock and drill a bunch of 1/8" diameter holes along the split and behind the tang, Brownell's Acraglas can be inserted in the holes and repair the crack from the inside. If you could put the Acraglas into a repair syringe, it would get into where it will repair it. Don't forget to put release compound on the metal, so it can be taken apart. I use paste shoe polish and it works fine.
 
Thanks for the advice on fixing it myself. Honestly, that's a bit beyond my abilities, I believe.

I did call a gunsmith today, and he suggested I just wait until the crack begins to affect the performance of the gun, and then buy new furniture. I'll give another guy a call this week, as well as Winchester, though I'm not holding my breath on that one.
 
When a friend dropped his old Winchester 94 (his 125 pound dog gave him a shot on the back of his knee) onto a concrete driveway, the stock split almost in the exact same place as Carmike's is trying to. He ended up getting a new stock, a really nice looking one, a lot better than the original, and then fixed the old one with urethane bond. It turned out really nice and I know from experience that wood put together with it will be much stronger than it was originally. He puts that old stock on now when he goes outside to shoot, in case something bad happens again. Besides, he's getting up there and his balance has been getting worse.
 
It's worth a try to fix

Thanks for the advice on fixing it myself. Honestly, that's a bit beyond my abilities, I believe.
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That is certainly your call but it would not be all that hard to fix or stabilize. Regardless, unless you touch up the finish along the crack, it will always show. I fixed and even uglier crack/cracks on one of my buddies shotguns and it' still in service. Now, he too had doubts about a fix and before I finished the process, he bought a replacement and just waiting for the old one, to give out. That was about three seasons ago ;)

I just like the idea of being able to salvage a stock that would be cast aside. You may develop additional cracks because of the weak grain pattern but not at the current crack location. ...... :)

Be Safe !!!
 
I have adjusted LOP and done a lot of wood stock work in the past that with my "father taught" wood working skills and current tools that crack would be and easy fix

I still suck at any attempt to checker a hard wood stock.... I guess jut not willing to buy the better tools

I like challenges, am frugal, and if the now, fixed, back to secure wood stock was NOT looking perfectly Factory new...I would grin and count it as part of the character of a well loved rifle....

Some of my very early LOP hacks are damned FUGLY.... but me and my son love each of them...they fit, work, and are unique

Then again, I never owned one fire arm I intend to sale later....yes, over the years I got unreasonably high offers and sold a few....usually years later had some regret

OP has many options----me I would just fix it
 
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