Quote Originally Posted by jmg8550 View Post
I didn't know there was more than one type of beding job. It looks like he applied the compound, and then put the reciever and barrrel into the stock, and let it cure. I guess that would be a pressure bed.
You have a couple of different types for Garands and M1A's.
1- "Arsenal" bed. Mainly done to restore the compression fit on used stocks that don't have the tension on the trigger guard anymore for good lockup. Just "pads" on the top and bottom of the stock. This appears to be what you have with the addition of the trigger plate pad..
2- "National Match" bed. Same pads bedded with the addition of the recoil surfaces of the stock and trigger plate pad. Better, but still can be improved on.
3- "Improved National Match" bed. Same as above but a fixture is used to exert pressure on the receiver and the front HG is in place and locked to the stock. This "pre-loads" the barrel in tension to increase mechanical repeatability and reduce zero wander.
4- "National Match Pillar" bed. Same as above but all bedded areas are tied together including the walls of the stock. Used on rifles that will rarely be pulled from the stock. A solid bed is established on all bearing surfaces with a "pillar" built from receiver heel down to the trigger plate. Rock solid but a ton of work. If Devcon Steel bed is used it adds a good bit of weight.