Wooden stock, recoil pad, and no spacer between them?

Jaywalker · February 12, 2025, 10:11 PM

Do you need a spacer between stock and recoil pad?

My rifle has a 13-3/4" Length of Pull (LOP) including a 1/4" spacer, and I'd be happier with an LOP of 13-1/2". Seems ideal. Can I remove the spacer, reattach the pad without the spacer?

Why do it that way? If possible, I'd rather not cut the stock in case I decide to sell the rifle in the future.

Is this feasible, or am I missing something important?

tangolima · February 13, 2025, 03:06 AM

I haven't seen a spacer between wood and recoil pad, other than the thin "white line" for cosmetic purposes. I installed a few recoil pads for customers. All were without spacers.

Sounds like a later add-on to lengthen the pull. I certainly would try removing the spacer if I need a shorter pull. Chances are the pad may no longer fit the stock profile perfectly though.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Jaywalker · February 13, 2025, 07:53 AM

Thanks.

jmr40 · February 13, 2025, 08:31 PM

It's possible that the recoil pad will be a tiny bit larger than the stock without the spacer. Maybe, maybe not and I don't think it would be enough to cause a problem.

FITASC · February 13, 2025, 10:11 PM

Not trying to be rude, but you can tell the difference between 1/4"? what happens when you're shooting a summer versus fall/winter and the thickness of clothing is more than that?

Jaywalker · February 13, 2025, 10:22 PM

Yes, I can. I've sold rifles because of 13-3/4" LOP. It's just enough over my limit that it annoys me. FWIW, I can't tell the difference between 13-1/4" and 13-1/2."

There isn't much winter in south Texas.

**44 AMP** · February 14, 2025, 02:19 PM

Do consider this, the spacer does have a function other than length of pull. IT helps protect the edge of the stock, a little. And it's replaceable, easier than repairing the stock edge.

You can lose the spacer to shorten your LOP, its your gun and I doubt anything will be harmed by doing so, though if it were me, I'd just get a thinner recoil pad, or sand down the one you have the needed 1/4".

Jaywalker · February 14, 2025, 02:47 PM

Good point. Unfortunately, my Sako 85 has a 0.25" spacer and a 0.50" recoil pad. The pad looks as if it's there to prevent the rifle from slipping when propped in a slick-floored corner, not to soften recoil. I can't reasonably get a thinner one.

I move rifles in and out pretty regularly, so I hate to make it non-original by altering the stock unless I plan to keep it forever (and sometimes that changes, too).

Looks as if I'd better leave it as is until I make up my mind. Thanks, all.

Pumpkin · February 15, 2025, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaywalker

Yes, I can. I've sold rifles because of 13-3/4" LOP. It's just enough over my limit that it annoys me. FWIW, I can't tell the difference between 13-1/4" and 13-1/2."

There isn't much winter in south Texas.

Hey, we had one day of winter last week ;-)

**Unclenick** · February 18, 2025, 11:36 AM

You can probably find a high school kid or a college engineering student who can 3D print a replacement spacer that matches up the outer edges but is only a sixteenth of an inch thick.

tangolima · February 18, 2025, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclenick

You can probably find a high school kid or a college engineering student who can 3D print a replacement spacer that matches up the outer edges but is only a sixteenth of an inch thick.

Excellent idea.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

February 12, 2025, 10:11 PM	#1
Jaywalker Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 346	Wooden stock, recoil pad, and no spacer between them? Do you need a spacer between stock and recoil pad? My rifle has a 13-3/4" Length of Pull (LOP) including a 1/4" spacer, and I'd be happier with an LOP of 13-1/2". Seems ideal. Can I remove the spacer, reattach the pad without the spacer? Why do it that way? If possible, I'd rather not cut the stock in case I decide to sell the rifle in the future. Is this feasible, or am I missing something important?

February 13, 2025, 08:31 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,938	It's possible that the recoil pad will be a tiny bit larger than the stock without the spacer. Maybe, maybe not and I don't think it would be enough to cause a problem. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

February 13, 2025, 10:11 PM	#5
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,612	Not trying to be rude, but you can tell the difference between 1/4"? what happens when you're shooting a summer versus fall/winter and the thickness of clothing is more than that? __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

February 14, 2025, 02:19 PM	#7
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,186	Do consider this, the spacer does have a function other than length of pull. IT helps protect the edge of the stock, a little. And it's replaceable, easier than repairing the stock edge. You can lose the spacer to shorten your LOP, its your gun and I doubt anything will be harmed by doing so, though if it were me, I'd just get a thinner recoil pad, or sand down the one you have the needed 1/4". __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

February 14, 2025, 02:47 PM	#8
Jaywalker Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 346	Good point. Unfortunately, my Sako 85 has a 0.25" spacer and a 0.50" recoil pad. The pad looks as if it's there to prevent the rifle from slipping when propped in a slick-floored corner, not to soften recoil. I can't reasonably get a thinner one. I move rifles in and out pretty regularly, so I hate to make it non-original by altering the stock unless I plan to keep it forever (and sometimes that changes, too). Looks as if I'd better leave it as is until I make up my mind. Thanks, all. Last edited by Jaywalker; February 14, 2025 at 04:19 PM.

February 13, 2025, 03:06 AM	#2
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 4,853	I haven't seen a spacer between wood and recoil pad, other than the thin "white line" for cosmetic purposes. I installed a few recoil pads for customers. All were without spacers. Sounds like a later add-on to lengthen the pull. I certainly would try removing the spacer if I need a shorter pull. Chances are the pad may no longer fit the stock profile perfectly though. -TL Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

February 13, 2025, 07:53 AM	#3
Jaywalker Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 346	Thanks.

February 13, 2025, 10:22 PM	#6
Jaywalker Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 346	Yes, I can. I've sold rifles because of 13-3/4" LOP. It's just enough over my limit that it annoys me. FWIW, I can't tell the difference between 13-1/4" and 13-1/2." There isn't much winter in south Texas.

February 18, 2025, 11:36 AM	#10
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,582	You can probably find a high school kid or a college engineering student who can 3D print a replacement spacer that matches up the outer edges but is only a sixteenth of an inch thick. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

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