You "should" be able to remove the spacer, just be careful reattaching the recoil pad. I got my grand-daughter the compact, I felt the full length barrel would make the rifle to muzzle heavy, a bit unbalanced for her. In fact I also got a compact for myself, thought it would make for a handier woods rifle. Been a 110 shooter for 40 years, new to the Axis series the past two years.
Bookmarks