Cutting the stock down?

[WABS]

Anyone out there had experience with measuring the pull length required for a shooter and then cutting the stock down to length? I purchased a 870 express in 20 gauge (not a huge investment) and I want to fit it to my son (10 years old, 5 foot tall). Is this something I can do or should I consider other options? Gunsmith / Purchace Youth Stock? Interested in your comments.

[AJ]

Hey Buddy,
I would remove the recoil pad and have him shoulder the gun. If it is good at that length, you know you will need to remove the thickness of the pad. It will also give you an idea of if any more needs to come off.

Since it is an Express, they have fairly cheap birch stocks. I would remove material in 1/4" increments until it fits him. This may take more time to get to that perfect fit but its better than trying to lengthen a stock after being cut to short.

It's easy to cut a stock while keeping it from splintering:
(1) Make a pencil mark around the stock where you want to cut it.
(2) Wrap a layer of tape around the mark. This gives you an easy to see reference point while cutting.
(3) Now take a sharp utility knife and cut into the wood all the way around your stock, on your pencil mark.
(4) Using a saw cut the stock at the edge of where you ran the utility knife, this method produces a clean cut with no splinters.

I have used table saw, jig saw, hand saw, etc.

Pitch refers to the angle that the butt of the stock is cut. Pitch adjustments can raise or lower the business end of the shotgun. Personally, I prefer a 90 degree cut to the rib of the gun.

Be sure to use some finish on the exposed wood.

Once it fits, you can make the last cut for the thickness of the pad. You can then grind the pad to fit.

[7th]

My wife is 5'1" tall and I got her the youth stock with the R3 pad on it and the fit is good for her. The stock can be had for about $35 from sits like www.midwayusa.com or Cabela's. Just something to look at, That will also give you the full stock to put back on latter.

[WABS]

Thank!! If there is a better place on the web to get the info I haven't found it. Thanks guys

[too_pointer]

Thats because we pay AJ way to much $$ LOL.

[Tominator]

I've never cut one down. I have shaved the butt plate (it's actually a big piece of rubber) on my 870 Exress. Remington's length of pull is just a bit too long for me, so shaving a 1/4" off the butt pad did the trick for me.

I have also made my own stocks too. It's not as hard as you think, and it's fun.

[too_pointer]

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I have also made my own stocks too. It's not as hard as you think, and it's fun.

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Chris, what type of wood did you use ?
Mike

[Tominator]

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I have also made my own stocks too. It's not as hard as you think, and it's fun.

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Chris, what type of wood did you use ?
Mike

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American Walnut.

Birch would be easy too, but I haven't done that yet. I want to make one for my .410 so my son can use it this season. The wood shop teacher here offered some mahogany to use for the .410, I don't know how that would look. Both mahogany and walnut cut, file and sand like butter. It's a lot of fun to work with.

I'll try and remember to take a pic of the one I made. Actually the one I made went the opposite way of this post. I bought my Ithaca from my cousin. He cut his stock way down, like an inch or so, so I made a new one with a length of pull right around 14 1/4" I believe it was.