Filling stock to reduce recoil?

[grimlock]

Does anyone know if there exist heavy stock inserts to increase shotgun weight (and I mean by 2 or 3 pounds) to reduce felt recoil? Would something like that work? I want an 870 in 12ga, but I want my wife to be able to use it too.

With a hollow synthetic stock, I was thinking that some lead or a plastic bag full of sand would do the trick, and the weight wouldn't effect shootability much since it's right up next to your chest.

So, good idea or stupid idea?

 

[45crittergitter]

There are recoil reducers designed to go inside both rifle and shotgun stocks, usually in the through-bolt hole, or in a hole drilled for that purpose under the recoil pad/buttplate. With a hollow synthetic stock, I presume one would want to fill the stock with a strong foam or something, then drill the hole. These reducers are often filled or partially filled with mercury, and should not be left loose in the stock, but should be "attached" to work. I would suggest you shop for some and then talk to the manufacturer or a gunsmith about installation. I have never heard of anyone "stuffing" a stock, but two thoughts occur: 1) probably will add way too much weight by the time you get it full, and 2) it will have to be full so the weight won't move around for it to work.

 

[Lawyerman]

One of the old wood stocked 870's I bought just didn't feel right. It was butt heavy. Eventually I took off the buttpad and someone had cast a lead bar that fit into the stock bolt hole. Don't know how much it weighed but it wasn't light. I have heard of people putting lead shot in the bolt channels as well.

 

[TrapperReady]

I've played with this a bit, putting some weight (shot in a bag) into the bolt hole on an O/U. Didn't care for it at all. It didn't reduce the felt recoil very much, but it did shift the point of balance back a little, causing the handling to feel a little off.

That being said, it's a minor (and easily reversed) modification. You can certainly try it and see how it works for you. I'd make sure that if you're filling a relatively large area, that you put in the amount you want, and then some filler (wads of plastic/bubble wrap) to make sure it doesn't move around.

I do have the butt-stock of my AR filled with #7.5 shot, but I only use that for highpower and the extra weight just helps to keep things more stable.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The old TFL thread on recoil reducers has some info on this.

Long story short, trash hulls filled with shot and crimped weight between 3 and 4 oz. Inserted in the bolt hole and secured so they do not imitate an impact hammer, they can help cut kick. Others can go in the mag tube.

Trouble is, the heavier the shotugn the less the kick, but it's also harder for some folks to operate.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I'm taking a different approach. I'm going to put spare parts in the buttstock of my mossberg, since i figure that a little more weight is better, and useful weight is great.

 

[Bruce626]

Aerosol expanding insulating foam (in spray-paint style cans) is a great way to fill up space in the hollow stock and you can embed wood pieces to screw into and also create tubular and rectangular compartments for weights or spare parts. I use a brand called "Space Invaders".

 

[SDC]

I've packed the space in the synthetic stock of my IPSC/HD/skeet/everything else 870 with lead shot, and it sure helps soak up the recoil on those long slug stages

 

[sm]

Agree with Dave and Trapper...changes the balance, prefer to NOT use. I have used the "Dead Mule" mercury recoil reducer.

Balance can and will affect the way a gun recoils( muzzle flip or slap face) ...so many end up with weighted mag extension to not only compensate for balance, but to smooth the swing - again. That light bbl messes with you.

Once this is played with the gun goes back to being stock...except for tweaking the fit and recoil pad contoured and radiused.

Usually easy to spot this guy....sore cheek, thin wallet,looking at his "for sale" post on club board...waiting for a phone call...oh waiting for gunsmith to finish properly fitting gun. Buy this guy a soda after you let him shoot a round with your gun.

Dependent on use of gun...slug gun for once and awhile differs from shooting 4-5 rds of clay games.

 

[grimlock]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll try a few things and see what happens. Of course, I need to get the gun first.

I'm fine with shooting 3" slugs, but I want my wife to be able to shoot it long enough to learn it.