What exactly does an Action Sleeve do ??

H

Hank

Guest
I see the term "sleeved action" a lot and I know what they look like but don't understand exactly why it is done. I can see that it would provide a flat surface for bedding but do they actually strengthen the action? Can a sleeve be removed if you want to put put the action in a hunting stock? These are probably no-brainers to you folks but new to this old man...:)
 
Most of the sleeves I've seen are aluminum and the action is usually turned a bit to make a very snug fit inside the sleeve. I've only seen a few and all were glued in and could be removed. They do strengthen the action by increasing the stiffness and most sleeves have a much smaller opening for loading/ejection which also adds to the stiffness. The extra length increases the bedding surface. Before the days of plentiful custom actions, sleeves were de rigueur. Personally, most of them are ugly looking but in the quest for accuracy and consistency they were a necessary piece.
 
I've got one on a black, plain-jane Remington and I love the way it looks because it makes it look like a polished Stolle Panda instead of an off-the-shelf Remmy!

Besides adding bedding surface and strength to the action being used, it also negates the need for a recoil lug.
 
Yes...the sleeve can be removed by applying heat to breakdown the epoxy...just use a propane torch on the sleeve move it over all of the surface to heat evenly....
 
Thanks for all the information. I appreciate it. I plan on getting an older rifle with a sleeve and it's good to know something about it and what my options are.
 
Just be aware that if you do remove the action from the sleeve that it will most likely have been turned, roughed, scuffed on the outside to make it adhere well when glued inside the sleeve. Won't hurt it but it most likely will be UGLY.
 
I believe the origin of sleeved actions came about because of the instability of wood stocks. This practice was continued with the early glass stocks but in most cases was not necessary. With modern adhesives and stocks I doubt sleeves offer any advantage unless you are using a repeater type action and then pillars are still all that are probably needed.
 
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