Interarms Whitworth rifles

[bilmcc]

I have read several articles about the stocks cracking on these in .375 H&H and .458 Win. I found this info after I bought my 375. I have had no trouble after more than 100 shots through it, and it worked well on buffalo in Zambia. I did not want to take it apart and change the stresses in it, but I finally did today. I found it has a second recoil lug under the barrel that fits into a metal box inlet into the stock. The work looks pretty rough so I suspect it is an aftermarket fix. It works for me! Might be good to know if someone is buying a Whitworth. I don't think it was a standard feature, because I have not seen it mentioned.

 

[Rob404]

I bought my Whitworth 375 used and would estimate I have run close to a 1000 rounds down range I even used the cursed led sled, so far so good

 

[TTundra]

My dad picked up a 375 H&H and 458 Win Whitworth about the same time. Great looking, handling, and shooting rifles. I'm impressed with the quality for what he paid for them. I'm betting the 458 win ends up in my hands in the near future though

 

[JTEX]

I have both the 375 and 458, both have been shot a bunch. Both have the additional recoil lug on the barrel, neither have cracked stocks. Both are extremely accurate as well.


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[Ray B]

An acquaintance of mine got a Whitworth 375 H&H about 30 years ago. I haven't seen him in about 25 years, but as far as I know he really liked the rifle and had no problems with it. Not related to specifically Whitworth, but any rifle, the main cause of splitting that I have seen was inletting the metal to wood too tightly on the rear facing metal, generally the back of the tang. During recoil the metal pushes back and compresses the wood. If there is a slight gap the metal takes up the slack then springs back to normal position. If the fit is too tight, the metal pushes against the wood, over time, causing a split.

 

[BobT]

I have close to 300 rounds through my .375 Whitworth and I bought it used so I have no idea how many more times it has been fired. No sign of trouble, cracking or otherwise. Mine has the barrel mounted recoil lug also and it has been glass beaded along with the action.

 

[Dinsdale]

I have a mid 1980's badged Whitworth made by Zastava in 458.

Came to me with a very low round count judging by wear in usual places.

Its cracked in the bridge of wood at the trigger, like it needed 2 cross bolts.

Barrel has a lug and that and the "regular' lug were glass bedded and one factory cross bolt forward of mag well.

If you didn't take the action out one wouldn't see it and there is relief along the rear tang.

I fixed it with a blind repair of steel rod and epoxy; but I'm doing a new stock anyway as it doesn't fit me well as a project gun.

Bought it for a potential Elephant hunt; but just booked for this year and don't have time to work with it enough. 375 will have to do.

 

[Rob404]

The only place that showed a crack in mine was between the mag and the trigger, I epoxied the area after drilling some mini holes in the wood so the epoxy would penetrate. I probably could have left it alone but I had the stock off already

 

[sestoppelman]

I know this is old but the second lug became standard at some point on the .375 and .458. My '83 vintage .375 has both lugs and is bedded. It also has cracked in the thin wood in the trigger well, been repaired twice now.
This current .458 I have a thread on was also cracked there, now repaired, and the wood was nearly blown out in the recoil lug area, (a knot!) and (no bedding!) and no second lug on these early models, so I consider it product improvement! Dont know when it started but for sure was a good idea
I am in the process of repairing this rifle now and think it will be fine when completed.