Modification to Classic Trap

[dmarbell]

I bought a NIB 870 Classic Trap. I seem to need modifications to guns to make them fit well, as do most people I would suppose.

Question is: what does it do to the value of the gun to add adjustable comb? Classic Trap implies classic value, but it'll be a long time before this gun is collectible. It seems to me that almost anyone buying the gun to shoot would welcome the adj comb.

I guess I'm just asking about the feasibility of hacking into the stock of a brand new gun.

Danny

 

[Milkmaster]

I guess the value of the gun would depend upon whether it "fits" me after your modifications etc. I have another suggestion that could avoid it all for a while...BEFORE you start hacking... you might try the comb raising stick-on pads to the top of the stock until you find the right fit for you. My son uses this one that also has a buttcover on it to hide the pad and provide a nice surface for your cheek. I bought one to use just for the buttstock cover. My cheek doesn't get sticky or sweaty against the stock using it. My son uses the 1/4" pad beneath his cover.

http://beartoothproducts.com/cgi/shop/detail.cgi?cat=Comb Raising Kit&model=Universal

Have fun whatever you choose.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The trouble with mods is one rarely gets the money back out when the thing's sold. In your shoes I'd use cardboard and masking tape to build up just the top of the comb and see how that affects POI.

I took a shot with a friend's CT today. Very nice wood and finish....

 

[PJR]

Question is: what does it do to the value of the gun to add adjustable comb?

To the present owner it increases the value of the gun significantly because a gun that doesn't fit is worthless.

I've tried the routes of tape and the beartooth additions but found the adjustable comb a better option because it gives you height and cast. You won't get the value of the modification back when you sell the gun but you will get considerable value from a gun that fits.

 

[dmarbell]

Resale value

Thanks for the replies. I guess the real question is this: will the gun itself retain whatever value it would have had, without the adj comb? Sounds like maybe so, but the adj comb won't add any value for resale. With $175 or so for the comb, I'm not too worried about recouping that cost. If I spend that much, and maybe more for adj butt plate also, I'll have a gun I can shoot for a lot of years. I just don't want to spend $175 and immediately hurt the gun value by another couple of hundred bucks since it's not original.

I would think any serious shooter buying the gun would like to have the adj comb on it.

Danny

 

[ilmonster]

Milkmaster,

I've seen those neoprene sleeves at my local Gander Mtn. to adj. the comb with. Does the sleeve hold its position sufficiently under some use (i.e. recoil), or does it need to be adjusted constantly. I'm trying to raise the comb of an 870 I have around 1/2", and that looks to be an economical solution. Thanks!