A while back, I purchased a nice walnut stock for my 870 Wingmaster. Its a 'newer' walnut stock. I wanted to add a recoil pad onto the original stock, but didn't want to have it cut and jack up a nice 60's vintage stock....so I bought a used one. Anyway, the one I got is in excellent condition, but the recoil pad looked like it was installed with a hacksaw and a boxcutter.

So, how much should it run in the Houston Area to have a BASIC recoil pad installed? Where would one go to do it? I think I called carters a while back, but the guys there are usually *******s every time I have been in there, so Id rather not give them my business....if I can help it. I envision them throwing it to a new guy who jacks up the stock and then telling me Im SOL.

You could try shaping the one you have using a belt sander. Scribe the backing plate, then remove it and shape it on a 60-80 grit belt. If you have a belt sander already it'll cost you nothing, and if you mess it up, you're just in the same place you are right now. If you are patient, and careful, you can get a good result.

Buy a "Limb Saver" and do it yourself.

My belt sander is about an inch wide. Doable?

The one on it was ground too small.

Yes, your belt sander should be fine. Just be careful and not allow the belt to dig in. If you want to try it yourself take the butchered pad off the stock, mount it to a 2X6 and practice on it before you spend $35 to $40 or more on a pad and butchering it yourself. I prefer mounting the new pad on the stock then do the sanding. This way I can follow the contour of the stock. I start with 60 or 80 grit and finish up with 150 grit. I only takes a light pressure to remove rubber and Baklite. I use 2 layers of heavy packing tape on the stock so I know when I sand into the first layer I have gone far enough. Most guys, and I include myself in this group, sand the toe of the pad parallel with the barrel instead of sloping it like the stock is sloped. The first pad I installed the gunsmith I worked for yelled at me for 3 days. He also made me pay for a new pad and install it correctly. I never made that mistake again. When you cut the pad where the screws go in use an Exacto knife and make the cuts vertically. Don't drill these holes, cut them. Use flat head screws because they don't allow the pad to shift as oval head screws do. Don't use dry wall screws. The pad should look the same as the stock but a different color. BTW I prefer to use a Cone Lock drum sander mounted on the bench about 6" above my waist.



[This message has been edited by Msgt USAF Ret (edited 8/23/2012 12:47a).]

+1 on the limb saver. Cheaper to install and you can always take it off with no damage to the gun

You can get it done for around $75. Money well spent to me if you are concerned about doing it yourself. I had one done a little over a year ago at McClelland's in Mesquite for $60.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e4MWq8bKH0

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/658338/miles-gilbert-recoil-pad-installation-fixture

Or go to McClelllands ... they do great work.

Im in Houston. Carter's Country would take WEEKS to complete...which is wierd, but its not the only stock they're working on either.

I might give this a shot with the one I have. If nothing else, I can make it look a little better. Im not willing to spend 50 on a tool when I can spend 70 and have someone do it that is experienced. I suppose I could ship to Mcclellands. Still need to locate a barrel for it anyway.

BUT...if I had a disc sander, I would give it a go. My belt sander is not exactly a precision piece of equipment and the belt is easily sloppy. It would make for a rough job.

EDIT: On second thought, I might just give this a go. I have friends that have decent sanders, and amazon has that tool for pretty cheap. I think I can do a good job on it. Should be able to pick up the right grind to fit pad too. Maybe I can snag a fixture on ebay...hate to pay too much for it because it most certainly will be a one time use kind of tool.

[This message has been edited by BrazosDog02 (edited 8/23/2012 2:33p).]

I think FIDO/Drive On/Gruene had his done for about $200

Ill grind it on the rough part of my driveway before dropping that kind of cash! :P

I think Briley's is about $115. They'll watch you mount the gun to fit you to see how much stock to cut

I put a medium slip-on on an 1100 last week. Cost about 15 bucks and has been stable so far.