How to remove glued on recoil pad?

[rem700nut]

Hi I have read this forum for a year Iam now a new member
. Also 1st time to post so please bare with me. I have late 90's REM 700 BDL with walnut stock and inch thick solid rubber recoil pad, in .338 win mag IT KICKS! I have simms Limbsaver pad to replace it. I took both scews out but pad seems to be glued to stock, Limbsaver instructions say for glued on pad take to gunsmith. Rather not do that. Any suggestions to get pad off with out damage to stock? thank you

 

[mete]

Take a saw such as a hacksaw and cut the pad very close ,just leaving a little bit of the pad then sand off the rest.

 

[mikejm]

METE has the right idea with the hacksaw, using the sand paper might be lending itself to error, but if you used a hot air heat gun, the glue would thermalreact and the remains of the pad would likely just peel off with the help of a pair of pliers .... i would further pack the sides of the stock with water soaked towels so that the stock finish doesn't thermalreact as well with not so good results.
good luck
mike

 

[pete f]

try CAREFULLY running a single edge razor up and down the joint. if it drags from the glue try to use a little mineral spirits on the blade as a lube, it will evaporate slower but still leave the wood good for glueing the nwe pad on without removing the finish on the walnut. this has worked for me but it does take effort. If you saw off the pad, before you do this wrap several layers of masking tape around the wood at the joint to prevent any damage should you slip and smack the wood with the saw, not that i have ever done that....