Modifying a stock for smaller hands

[brianheeter]

Rather than resurrecting an old thread ( http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=32641.0 ) I'll start a new one.

This is my first time posting photos so apologies if it takes me a few tries to get the formatting correct.

In the thread reference above I had figured out how to reduce the length of pull but I had not taken into account the distance from the trigger to the "firm handshake grip" part of the stock.  It occurred to me that a dowel could be used take up some of that space.  The dowel is 1" poplar; a couple of dollars from Menard's.  I mounted the empty stock in a vice and use a 1" Forstner bit in my drill press to drill the hole.  The hole was a little over 1/2" deep.  I was worried about going too deep and weakening the stock.  1/2" seems to work well, it doesn't wobble at all even before glue was applied.  I sanded the edges of the end of the dowel to help get it seated and used Titebond.  A whack with a mallet to get it all the way in and that was it.

The mark on the inside of the stock is the location of the trigger.  I used it to help locate the hole for the dowel.  You can also play with the angle of the dowel.  I don't like the shallow angle and smooth curve of most rifle stocks so I made the dowel pretty close to vertical.

It feels like it should work but the proof will be when I get it into the hands of a smaller shooter.  Maybe this weekend in Brazil, Indiana.  BTW, there's room on the line and the food is going to be awesome!  http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=36304.0

C ya,

brian

[brianheeter]

I'm unable to post the photos.  I'll try again tomorrow and re-post when I succeed.

brian

[douglas34474]

Improvise, Adopt, Overcome!

Madam Yotnottin (may she rest in peace) used Bondo to fabricate some fantastic custom stocks.

Good job! 

Don't forget, you always have DuckTape to fall back on! 

[brianheeter]

OK.  I got the photos loaded.  At least they look OK when I load the page up.  I hope this helps somebody to get a workable solution for some of our shooters who are of "smaller stature."

C ya,

brian

[brianheeter]

It worked!  See photo below of battle-testing by Hunter at Brazil, IN, shoot last month.

]

[Wy Knott]

That's pretty neat. I have always had a little trouble reaching all the way to the trigger on my 10/22. That's one thing I think makes people really love the AR-15 trigger grip. Probably most people haven't even noticed what makes it comfy. Makes for a nice curved trigger finger. 

[Charles McKinley]

Brian that is AWESOME!!!!!!

I will definately be doing that.  I love the verticle grip on the diasy 885 I got at the CMP.  The dowel will make for a very similar grip.

THANKS,

Stand