inhereted a few guns

[huntingfamily]

hello all, just inherited a few guns from the father in law...one of them is a cheap mossberg 18 gauge model 390kb. there is a hole that goes cross ways on the forearm of the stock that is open.that is my question. is that hole suppose to be open? i have found one other picture on the web and the hole was there also? any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Hunting7mm]

post a pic...  so we can help you...   

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Picture for sure. Maybe to hold a cigar between shots?

[huntingfamily]

here you go

[jennyfell55]

Looks to me like a perfect spot for some sort of crossbolt  to engage a lug on the receiver.

[huntingfamily]

what is a lug ?

[iusmc2002]

Looks to me like a perfect spot for some sort of crossbolt  to engage a lug on the receiver.

Looks exactly like that. 
Is it the same on both sides of the stock?  If so, that's more than likely what it's for.  Why anyone would remove it is beyond me though.

[iusmc2002]

what is a lug ?

The lug is a piece on the action that aids in preventing the rifle from putting all the stress of recoil on the action screws.  Pull any rifle apart, and where the barrel and action meet (near there), there will be a piece that projects downward from the action.  That is the lug.  Some lugs are integral to the receiver (Winchester 70's, Ruger M77's) some are seperate, and can be removed when the barrel is removed (Savage)

[huntingfamily]

so i found a picture of one with a screw head on each side so i assume i need to find a male/female screw set up for it in at least a grade 5 strength. think ill need more?

[Hunting7mm]

Order the correct parts from a gunsmith..   

[carpsniperg2]

Looks like a cross bolt hole to me as well. I would take it to a gun smith and get things done right

[iusmc2002]

so i found a picture of one with a screw head on each side so i assume i need to find a male/female screw set up for it in at least a grade 5 strength. think ill need more?

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=13113/Product/MAGNUM-CROSSBOLT

This is what you're looking for.  It's cheap to purchase and no need to take it to a 'smith.  You've already got the hole drilled through the stock and countersunk (at least on the one side you showed us).  Buy it yourself and learn something when you do it.  They also make little wrenchs for that application

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=416/Product/MAUSER-98-CROSS-BOLT-WRENCH

Good luck   

[724wd]

numrich doesn't list a crossbolt for your gun.  the brownells piece is probably your best bet. 

[rosscrazyelk]

I would not fire it until you fix that.LOL

[huntingfamily]

i hear ya...even though its not pretty im kinda fond of my face....lol

I would not fire it until you fix that.LOL

[iusmc2002]

i hear ya...even though its not pretty im kinda fond of my face....lol

I would not fire it until you fix that.LOL

Don't worry about firing it without the crossbolt in it, the gun isn't going to blow up or anything so crazy.  They are there to ensure there is no damage to the stock after prolonged firing over the course of years.  Inspect the inside of the stock, and if there's no cracks or other obvious problems, ensure the action screws are tight, and fire away!   
 
The only problem you'll have is finding 18 gauge shells