To checker or not to checker?

[Carlsen Highway]

This is the short rifle in .44 WCF. It has colour case hardened receiver and octagonal barrel. These are fancy options and I am feeling that if the rifle has these features then it would be more natural that it should be checkered also?
I have looked at a lot of Winchester 73's and although octagonal barrels without checkering were not uncommon, one with colour case hardening as well usually would have got checkered too. Certainly all the ones with pistol grips and the same features always seem to be checkered.

It wouldn't cost me anything because I can checker a rifle stock well enough, but I am wary of doing it because I am not sure of my motivations, I don't want to do it just because I like messing around with guns, I want to do it because it would be better. I am probably overthinking this. I should probably leave it alone. But I do like good checkering on a fine rifle.

Something like this:

[claybob86]

I think checkering would look really fine on that rifle. It's really nice as is, but checkering would add the finishing touch. IMHO.

[Carlsen Highway]

I think so too.

Here is another example;

[rossim92]

leave it be

[Bronco]

I think, and yes it hurts. That it is not a decision that will make it better, or worse. I feel that it is whether you like it or not that way. It's your rifle and you should have it the way YOU like it!
Just my $0.02

John

[jdad]

If that's one of the Italian reproductions, then have at it. You won't hurt or help the value.

Your gun, your decision.

[M. M. Wright]

Do it. Do it. Do it.

I'd move the panel on the forearm forward. The examples shown have it too far back to be useful. When shooting multiple targets fast you need that weak hand as far forward as you can get it.

[jeepnik]

Checkering always (if done well) an air of class to long guns. Go for it.

[Pete44ru]

.

Since you can do it, it NEEDS to be checkered !

Make it a Deluxe, but be sure to apply the same stock finish in the finished checkering, as is on s the remainder of the stock has.



.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I think it would look really nice with some fine line checkering.

But, over the years some of the uberti's have come with a faux Winchester style red wood grain finish. Underneath it may be really light colored wood. You may want to test it in the fore-woods barrel channel to see how it looks.

[Carlsen Highway]

Nate, yes that is something I have considered, and I will see how light the natural wood is. I have found some judicious use of diluted black ink into checkering will darken it to resemble a ''matured'' look like the examples I posted above

[Blaine]

No, don't do it.

[marlinman93]

I think a gun like yours with just case colored frame as a special feature could go either way. If it had high grade wood, then checkering would be very appropriate. Or a pistol grip stock would often be checkered.

[Carlsen Highway]

I just feel that a colour case hardened octagonal rifle sort of needs to be checkered, but to look at it another way, if it was a blued recever, I wouldnt think so. I am not entirely sold on the color case hardening as a feature. Overall there is something nagging me about the rifle as it is.
As an alternative to checkering, what about cold blueing the receiver black?

[Borregos]

Go for it!!

[olskool]

here is my 44wcf with factory checkering, I like it but if it didn't have it I would not go to the expense to have it done.

[marlinman93]

Bluing over casehardened metal can lead to disastrous colors if the metal isn't annealed first! Had one I had done many decades ago that turned purple when blued! I personally would leave the gun alone. I think it looks perfect as it is.

[Griff]

I've got a couple of checkered long guns... both the "pressed" and cut checkering. I normally don't care for it. It can enhance a firearm's looks, and improve it's grip capabilities. It can also be a little too much grip when new. I feel that a straight grip can either be checkered or not... but pistol grip stock always looks best when checkered.

[OldWin]

I wouldn't checker it.
If you use this rifle, and the smooth wood gets a few dings, it doesn't look bad to me. The same rifle with checkering that has flat spots and damage......ehh.
It somehow looks worse to me. Just me, though.

[Richardx]

Carlsen, do it and then come to Memphis I'll put you up while you do mine.

[Carlsen Highway]

Richard, Ive been to Memphis and I may go back one day, so your on...

Thanks all for your advice, and after considering particularly the idea that I shouldnt mess with something that isnt broke, I think I will do it anyway...I will try and copy the original Winchester checkering as best I can.

[claybob86]

I look forward to seeing the results! Maybe a few pictures taken during the process?