How to Boil a Recoil Pad

Recoil pads are a simple addition to most long guns that can increase operator comfort significantly.

Most long guns like rifles and shotguns have a powerful recoil that can be painful or even cause injury to the operator. Installing a recoil pad can increase the amount and quality of shooting time and protect the operator from learning to flinch involuntarily in preparation for the gun's recoil. Recoil pads are soft additions that can be installed on the butt of a rifle to absorb the kick of a gun. Recoil pads are often made of sorbothane, which can be softened in hot water to aid in the installment of the pad on your rifle.

Things You'll Need

• Sorbothane recoil pad
• Large pot
• Water
• Thermometer
• Long tongs
• Heat source
• Thick cloth work gloves
• Large rubber gloves
• Screwdriver

Instructions

Preparing the Pad

1. Place the recoil pad against the butt of the rifle where you intend to install it. Make sure the holes in the recoil pad line up with the holes in the rifle butt. If the holes do not align, mark and drill pilot holes that match with the holes in the recoil pad.

2. Fill a pot with water. Heat to boiling.

3. Allow the pot to cool until the water temperature reaches 150 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Lower the recoil pad into the pot until it's completely immersed in hot water, using tongs. Allow the pad to sit for a few minutes until the surface gives to tong pressure.

5. Remove the recoil pad from the hot water. Wearing heavy work gloves with rubber gloves over them, dry the recoil pad and screw it tightly into the butt of the rifle.

Tips & Warnings

• Rubber pads may need hotter water to soften than sorbothane pads do.

• Guns are not toys. Do not allow children to use or alter guns unassisted.

References

• Kickeez Sorbothane Recoil Pad: Testimonials
• Pachmayr: Pads FAQ