How to Replace a Recoil Pad
Recoil pads absorb energy from the discharge of the gun before it passes through the butt stock of the gun and to the shoulder of the shooter. Gunsmiths replace recoil pads when they become hard or are found to be too short or long for the shooter. The replacement process requires extreme care not to scratch the gun stock. The process is doable by do-it-yourself shooters who work carefully.
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Instructions
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1
Remove the old recoil pad. The pad generally is held in place by two screws from the butt of the gun to the gun stock. Work the recoil pad loose by twisting if it adheres to the stock from old glue or dirt buildup.
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2
Wrap the exposed end of the finished gun stock with at least five layers of masking tape extending about 3 inches up the stock. The tape protects the finish of the gun stock during the installation process for the new recoil pad while leaving the unfinished end of the stock free.
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3
Select the appropriate-sized recoil pad. According to the website Shooting Times, the proper recoil pad extends about 1/8 of an inch beyond the stock.
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4
Check the mounting screw locations. If they fall in the same location as the old screw holes, you're in luck. If not, fill the old holes with wood putty and drill new pilot holes. Pilot holes should be 0.05 inch smaller than the screws that come with the recoil pad.
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Fit the recoil pad to the end of the gun stock. Use a sander to remove portions of the base of the recoil pad until tight fit with the gun stock is accomplished.
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6
Attach the recoil pad to the gun stock using the included screws through the pad into the pilot holes of the gun stock.
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Sand the edges of the recoil pad to a size that is flush with the gun stock. Shooting Times suggests using a disk sander with 60-grit sandpaper. Carefully grind away excess recoil pad material until the pad fits the gun stock perfectly.
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8
Remove the tape from the gun stock and check the feel of the junction between the stock and pad. If the pad is still higher than the stock, wrap tape around the stock and carefully grind away more of the pad.
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