HS Precision stock with slightly long LOP. Trim or pony up for shorter stock

Greetings, haven't been on since the '05 version of the forum

the following relates to a possible near term purchase, longer term project.
Shop in walking distance of me has a rather nice used model 12 variant (Barrel says "12 Long Range" can't find a current listing) in an HS precision stock that I assume has the factory standard Length of pull of 13.5".
If we buy it this rifle would be for my wife, and using the "fast and dirty LOP check"(butt in elbow crook, can index finger reach trigger?) method, the stock is about 1/4-1/2" too long.

Now the question is, Just how much of a pain is it to, pull the recoil pad, trim 1/2" off the stock body, and then reattach the pad? or is this even possible?

I know that I can order a new stock with the shorter LOP but I figured i'd inquire as to the difficulty/possibility so as to save $350-400 depending on timing sales etc.

as always thank you for your time and any info you care to share.

Detritus, you might only need to change recoil pad to thinner one, look at pachmayr pads. The pad is held on with two phillips head screws, which are covered over by pad, do a little prodding with pick to find screws. The pad will need to be ground to stock contour.

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The pad will need to be ground to stock contour.

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This i already knew, was kind of looking forward to having a reason to buy a bench grinder :becky:

anyway i've already ground a pad to fit (with help/ someone else's tools)

did this stock as a project with my father a few years ago
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6043/6...c3000750_s.jpg
314793-R1-00-8A

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Originally Posted by Detritus

...was kind of looking forward to having a reason to buy a bench grinder :becky:

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Not trying to jump on your post, but do you mean a bench sander or a bench grinder? I have both, but use the sander for fitting pads. IF you do mean a grinder, I'd be curious as to how that worked out and whether it was easier than a sander.
Cheers.

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Originally Posted by thomae

Not trying to jump on your post, but do you mean a bench sander or a bench grinder? I have both, but use the sander for fitting pads. IF you do mean a grinder, I'd be curious as to how that worked out and whether it was easier than a sander.
Cheers.

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Grinder, Ryobi 6" Bench Grinder to be exact. Used it for the major material removal and shaping, final fit had to be done "by hand" so to speak with a sanding block. Have no idea of how the grinder compares to a sander, since not only have i never used a bench sander, the grinder belongs to my father (meaning 1,142 miles east of me right now, in Central NC ) and he doesn't have a bench sander. as for how it worked out etc..
Speed, I'd say that it took a few (10-15? it's been 6-1/2 years) mins of careful/deliberate/cautious (dirty from all the plastic and rubber dust) work with the grinder to bring the pad from "factory" size down to where it was time to start hand-sanding for final fit, which of course took quite a bit more time. have to remember this was a father and grown son futzing around in a garage (and for sanding, in the living room with a big towels draped across our lap to catch dust etc) working on some Richard's Microfit stocks as a spend time together project.

Finished product may be better illustrated with pictures so here are a few, two of dad's projects and a close up of the pad on mine (please excuse the dog bedding in that one.. lol I haven't tidied the workroom in a week or two)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8188/8...73fb842d_s.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8...c4e08c7d_s.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8...89485f68_s.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8...4dc19a0f_s.jpg

I think it did a good job of it, but have no idea on speed or if a sander might give a better result (smoother or closer to final dimension without undue risk to the stock).

Very interesting....and very nice work. Well done to you and Dad! Very nice results.

I have been using a Miles Gilbert jig I got on sale at MidwayUSA and a 4" wide benchtop belt sander. I hook it up to a shop vac, but there is still rubber debris all over.
I get a very smooth edge on the pad if I am careful. If you were closer, I'd bring it over and you could use it. I'm not saying it is better or not...and I don't have the pictures to show yet.
I have done two and I can get them to fit the stock rather well. The advantage of the jig is that I don't have to worry about damaging a prefinished stock. The disadvantage is that it is much harder to get that "perfect" edge that you can get by doing the pad on the stock prior to finishing.

I use a lot of WD 40 to lubricate the pad and the belt, and I freeze the pad prior to sanding. Those two measures seem to help with the smoothness (smoothicity?) of the finished product.

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Originally Posted by thomae

Very interesting....and very nice work. Well done to you and Dad! Very nice results.

I have been using a Miles Gilbert jig I got on sale at MidwayUSA and a 4" wide benchtop belt sander. I hook it up to a shop vac, but there is still rubber debris all over.

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Yeah, hear that one.. we ground them down outside (dad has his grinder on a portable stand), wearing dust masks and trashbags (pop three holes and wear it like a poncho) and still were picking bits out of our hair etc two showers later.

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The disadvantage is that it is much harder to get that "perfect" edge that you can get by doing the pad on the stock prior to finishing.

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Masking tape is your friend.... seriously, two layers of masking tape over any "at risk" area of the stock and taking it slow helps you get VERY close to final before having to do the final fitting by hand, just keep a light hand and an eye on the tape and if you touch the tape to the grinder/belt You'll see it. it's alot easier to fix ripped tape than a gouged stock. when we did the hand sanding we took the tape down to one layer.

I'd have to e-mail or call dad to refresh my memory as to the exacts of it all, but i think he picked up most of the tricks and techniques he's used off of Rimfire central.

And as of Weds. the point is now Moot...

Went by the Local Shop Wednesday afternoon and discovered that we hadn't moved fast enough, the really nice, HS stocked, Used example was sold on the 3rd, (For more than we'd have offered).
Did a little talking amongst ourselves and inquiry of what a New Mod12 would go for from the same shop. And ordered a 12FCV that should arrive sometime next week, but won't be fully paid off till week after next (Wife's buying, decided to do it in three payments..)

anyway on to other ideas and projects :)