Modifying cast in semi-autos (beyond the shims and spacers)

[Chris17404]

Hi all,

I'm not talking about the shim and spacers that gun makers are touting as great inventions. They only let you set cast-off to a single, non-adjustable, very tiny bit of cast... usually 1/8th of an inch at the end of the stock.

I'm interested in getting a semi-auto for skeet and sporting clays shooting, but would like to be able to modify the cast so the stock fits me perfectly. I don't mind having a gunsmith modify it for me, but I'd like to do it myself if possible.

Anyway... what are some semi-autos that lend themselves to relatively easily modifying the cast? I've tried it on a very old Remington 1100 (1968), but there just wasn't any wiggle room inside the stock for the recoil spring tube to go.

Does anyone have experience in this area? If so, I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Oh... and please don't say "Get an O/U!" I realize it's easier to modify the cast in an O/U, and when I have grown in my clay shooting abilities and I can afford it, I do plan on getting a high-quality one. But for right now, I'd like to stick to a semi-auto.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Chris

 

[Pete409]

If you shoot right handed and want more cast than the adjustability of the stock will allow, a wood rasp (properly applied) will give you that additional cast.

If you need less cast, moleskin will build the stock out.

 

[Chris17404]

Thanks for the info, Pete. I actually need to bend/slant the entire stock out more for more cast-off. I'm 6'2" tall with wide shoulders. I find the factory cast-off on Beretta sporting O/U's is almost right for me. But the shims on semi-autos don't come close.

Chris

 

[Dave McCracken]

On 870s, I fold aluminum foil until it's the right thickness and then place it to alter the cast and drop. You may have to open the channel for the recoil spring in an 1100 to do so.

HTH....

 

[Chris17404]

Thanks, Dave. I've done that on my 870, and it works like a charm!

Hey sm... I know you have a lot of experience with 1100's. If you read this, have you ever tried doing the same thing with an 1100? How did you do it, what was involved, and how were the results?

Thanks!

Chris

 

[Striker]

Chris,

I've an 11-87 set up with a Morgan adjustable pad. While I primarily use it to adjust POA (up and down) when switching between skeet and trap, it is adustable side to side for cast and works well assuming you have a consistent mount in the shoulder pocket.

Just a thought, YMMV.

 

[Chris17404]

Anyone else have experience modifying the cast in a Remington 1100? I'd really like to be able to angle the stock a little bit, rather than using an adjustable butt plate, etc. Thanks!

Chris

 

[ArmedBear]

Easiest way to tweak stock fit is an adjustable comb, which can be added to an 1100. This may or may not give you exactly what you want, but again, you probably don't know exactly what you want. Even the most experienced stock fitters, fitting very experienced shooters, will still have someone do a lot of testing to get it right.

 

[Chris17404]

Thanks again, everyone, for your thoughts!

Hey sm... I'd love to get your take on this, if possible!

Chris