Modifying a Synthetic Stock?

[ColdChili]

Has anyone modified a synthetic stock or does anyone make a 'custom' synthetic stock?

I recently purchased my second shotgun a Ruger red label in target grey (black synthetic stock). When I shouldered the gun in the store it felt fine but after shooting a few rounds of trap my face is sore and bruised, which has never happened to me before. I measured the drop-at-comb on my 870 that I have shot for years with no problems and it measures about 1.75", the Ruger has a 1.5" drop-at-comb, so I suspect that is where my problem is. ( I now realize the importance of a proper fit, that everyone says is so important).

I called Ruger today and talked to a Bonnie and asked if they could help me out or recommend someone who could and they basically said "tough luck, we don't do that and we can't recommend 'customizing' the shotgun". Which is really disappointing that a person spends over a $1000 on a shotgun and that is the response you get, but I guess it's my own fault. Anyway, I really like the look of the shotgun and would like to keep it but if I cannot get it modified I'll have to let it go. Also, I went with the Ruger because I'm a lefty and the stock on the red label has no cast.

Thanks

 

[Smitty in CT]

The "easiest" route to take would be to get a wood stock and have it fitted.

It's going to be a lot easier to take away wood and still get it to look good when you're finished.

Good Luck,

 

[mswestfall]

A couple of weeks back a friend and his son were sitting at our club dragging a piece of sandpaper back and forth across the comb on a Browning Superposed (or maybe it was a 101).

They did pattern the gun several times before getting out the sandpaper. But still, it takes some guts to sand a stock yourself.

The son (he's in his 20's) is getting back into shooting. His dad is a skilled shooter. I sat and spoke with them as they worked. They took their time. I bet they took about 3/32nds of an inch off the comb; moving it to the right and down.

The point is, wood works. Or is it that you can work with wood?

I would buy a wooden stock on-line and work it myself. I've made a couple of LOP extenders for a Citori. I just installed the second one. It moves the recoil pad down about an inch and cants it about 15 degrees toward the armpit. Neither one of them is perfect but they do work.

Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[simmonsguns]

On hollow plastic stocks you can use a heat gun and a wet towel.
Mount the gun in a padded vice, heat up the area you need to move and use the wet towel to form the stock.
It takes a little practice and go slow but it's worth trying.
It will work for drop at wrist as long as you bend the stock bolt or build an offset spacer to make the stock drop where you need it.
On combs you dish out or dish and drop the area you need to move.
If the stock gets to hot you can dunk it in cold water.