Shorten a stock

[4t5]

I'd like to shorten some butt stocks, but I'm worried about chipping or splintering, what have you guys done ? , and what kind of results.

[marlinman93]

Wrap the stock in blue painter's tape first. Then mark the cut in black fine tip felt pen. Cut it in a miter box to ensure the cut is straight, and be sure to support it up front so the cut doesn't end up angled side to side too!
Then use the finest tooth saw you can to make the cut. I prefer what is called a kerf saw, or razor saw, and cut by hand. Any powered saw will create a rough edge in my experience.

[FLINT]

All of the above is good advice. I've cut down several of mine as I put grind to fit limbsavers on all my shotguns after my shoulder got real bad. I just cut mind on a miter saw with a pretty coarse blade and did get a little bit of a rough edge around but it sanded out ok. I wasn't too concerned with looks.

[JimT]

I cut mine with a fine blade hacksaw. Here's the piece I cut off the Mosin Nagant a couple weeks ago.

IMG_3903.JPG

Don't crowd it, cut with long slow strokes. Comes out pretty smooth.

Before.JPG

After.JPG

[2ndovc]

Can you guys send me the cut offs? None of my stocks are long enough!



jb

[FLINT]

Can you guys send me the cut offs? None of my stocks are long enough!



jb

I can't imagine wanting a longer lop but the

Limbsaver nitro grind to fit pad adds 1.5" to lop.

I put one of those on a 10ga break action, but cut 2" off the stock first.

[2ndovc]

Can you guys send me the cut offs? None of my stocks are long enough!



jb

I can't imagine wanting a longer lop but the

Limbsaver nitro grind to fit pad adds 1.5" to lop.

I put one of those on a 10ga break action, but cut 2" off the stock first.

As a general rule, a person's wingspan is close to their height. At 6'2" mine should be 74" or so. but I'm at 78". Finding a proper fitting stock is not easy, but I've gotten used to it for the most part. I was joking about wanting the extra pieces though.

jb

[GunnyMack]

I've cut a few on the table saw, using the miter gauge. To not change the pitch of the stock loosen the gauge and adjust it to hit the fence parallel and tighten it. MOVE the fence away and make the cut after taping the stock with any flavor of masking tape.

[4t5]

Thank you all , for the replies!

[piller]

A new blade with sharp teeth usually gives a good cut without splinters on the edge. Dull saw blades cause splinters. Just my opinion, but a new reasonably priced saw blade is cheaper than a new stock.

[Tycer]

I tape them, stand them on end and using a properly sized block to lay the saw on I use a fine jamb saw to make the cut. I cut from all sides and finish with the middle. This is the type of saw: https://a.co/d/3dlx2ZH

[4t5]

Tycer, that sounds like a great idea !

[CowboyTutt]

That looks like a pretty cool and useful saw too, I have to say. Thanks Tycer! -Tutt

[horsesoldier03]

Just a note on shortening a stock, I have only done one in the past, however, I did find a good idea before executing the idea.

If it is for a youth and you may want to go back to a full length later, watch ebay or contact the manufacture and get a replacement stock and then shorten it. That way if you go back to full length the wood grain and stain match correctly.

[2ndovc]

I tape them, stand them on end and using a properly sized block to lay the saw on I use a fine jamb saw to make the cut. I cut from all sides and finish with the middle. This is the type of saw: https://a.co/d/3dlx2ZH

One of my favorite tools! While I was a finish carpenter I used mine quite often. Especially doing wood floors, best too I ever used for getting under door jambs and casings to slide the flooring in.

jb