Installing a Limbsaver

JimDandy · March 29, 2013, 12:57 PM

I'm confident enough with my woodworking skills to remove the recoil pad, and install the limbsaver I purchased. The only question I have is it says to take the rifle to a gunsmith if the pad is glued on. Looking at it, it could just be really old and look like it's glued on, or it could be glued on. Why do they suggest taking it to a gunsmith? Is it just the added headache of the glue, or were the models with a glued on pad somehow different and require sophisticated work?

guncrank · March 29, 2013, 01:00 PM

No

cvc944 · March 29, 2013, 01:23 PM

Jim. I've never removed a pad from a rifle that was glued on. I've only ever done the ones held on by screws, so I can't tell you the answer. However there certainly exists a greater chance to damage a stock removing a pad that is glued on. Getting the opinion of someone who has actually removed a pad from the exact type and vintage of the rifle you are working on would be prudent. I would love to know the answer after you find out.

JimDandy · March 29, 2013, 02:18 PM

No what Guncrank? No, as long as I can handle glued wood I'm fine, or ??

Jerry45 · March 29, 2013, 03:23 PM

Is your stock wood or plastic? I presume it's wood since you mentioned your woodworking ability. Does the pad have holes in it threw-which screws could have been installed? If it does I'd check to see if it's screwed on and remove the screws. Then I'd see if I could remove it by hand. If there are no screws it's probably glued on. In that case I'd take a thin blade knife (fillet knife) and carefully work it between the stock and the pad. If it has no screws and is glued on you'll have to drill the stock (so it doesn't split/crack) to install the screws for the LimbSaver.

OEF-Vet · March 29, 2013, 03:27 PM

I would follow Jerry45s advice.

tobnpr · March 29, 2013, 04:53 PM

FWIW, I make stocks, and install a dozen pads or more a week. To do it correctly, you need to use a jig- I use one by Miles Gilbert- to set the comb and toe angles of the stock for grinding the correct angles on the pad.

You could try to "eyeball" it, I suppose....but you're likely to end up with something less than a professional-looking installation.

oldgunsmith · March 29, 2013, 04:54 PM

On some pads the screw holes are hard to see at first. Sometimes you have to stretch and pull around on the rubber about where the holes should be and look for a small slit to appear in the surface. The slit is cut at the time of installation and if the screw and driver are both properly greased the slits close up and "disappear" when you're done.

JimDandy · March 29, 2013, 04:58 PM

I got lucky. I decided to just get started, and find out if I was worried about nothing. Turns out, I was. the pad is supposedly contoured for my rifle, and it's not BAD, but its not as good as I'd like either. The taper isn't quite right, but for a multi-rifle fit, I guess I'm being too nitpicky.

guncrank · March 29, 2013, 09:09 PM

You asked several questions all answered by no

March 29, 2013, 12:57 PM	#1
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	Installing a Limbsaver I'm confident enough with my woodworking skills to remove the recoil pad, and install the limbsaver I purchased. The only question I have is it says to take the rifle to a gunsmith if the pad is glued on. Looking at it, it could just be really old and look like it's glued on, or it could be glued on. Why do they suggest taking it to a gunsmith? Is it just the added headache of the glue, or were the models with a glued on pad somehow different and require sophisticated work?

March 29, 2013, 01:00 PM	#2
guncrank Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2006 Location: Fern Creek ,KY and Metro Louisville at large Posts: 430	No __________________ Republic Arms and Armaments 07 1-502-231-1118 Machine Shop and Finishing Services to the trade and public

March 29, 2013, 03:23 PM	#5
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	Is your stock wood or plastic? I presume it's wood since you mentioned your woodworking ability. Does the pad have holes in it threw-which screws could have been installed? If it does I'd check to see if it's screwed on and remove the screws. Then I'd see if I could remove it by hand. If there are no screws it's probably glued on. In that case I'd take a thin blade knife (fillet knife) and carefully work it between the stock and the pad. If it has no screws and is glued on you'll have to drill the stock (so it doesn't split/crack) to install the screws for the LimbSaver. __________________ Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA! Last edited by Jerry45; March 29, 2013 at 03:29 PM.

March 29, 2013, 03:27 PM	#6
OEF-Vet Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2011 Location: Backwoods, PA Posts: 284	Re: Installing a Limbsaver I would follow Jerry45s advice.

March 29, 2013, 04:53 PM	#7
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	FWIW, I make stocks, and install a dozen pads or more a week. To do it correctly, you need to use a jig- I use one by Miles Gilbert- to set the comb and toe angles of the stock for grinding the correct angles on the pad. You could try to "eyeball" it, I suppose....but you're likely to end up with something less than a professional-looking installation. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

March 29, 2013, 01:23 PM	#3
cvc944 Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2013 Location: Lenhartsville, PA Posts: 164	Jim. I've never removed a pad from a rifle that was glued on. I've only ever done the ones held on by screws, so I can't tell you the answer. However there certainly exists a greater chance to damage a stock removing a pad that is glued on. Getting the opinion of someone who has actually removed a pad from the exact type and vintage of the rifle you are working on would be prudent. I would love to know the answer after you find out.

March 29, 2013, 02:18 PM	#4
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	No what Guncrank? No, as long as I can handle glued wood I'm fine, or ??

March 29, 2013, 04:54 PM	#8
oldgunsmith Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 278	On some pads the screw holes are hard to see at first. Sometimes you have to stretch and pull around on the rubber about where the holes should be and look for a small slit to appear in the surface. The slit is cut at the time of installation and if the screw and driver are both properly greased the slits close up and "disappear" when you're done.

March 29, 2013, 04:58 PM	#9
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	I got lucky. I decided to just get started, and find out if I was worried about nothing. Turns out, I was. the pad is supposedly contoured for my rifle, and it's not BAD, but its not as good as I'd like either. The taper isn't quite right, but for a multi-rifle fit, I guess I'm being too nitpicky.

March 29, 2013, 09:09 PM	#10
guncrank Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2006 Location: Fern Creek ,KY and Metro Louisville at large Posts: 430	You asked several questions all answered by no __________________ Republic Arms and Armaments 07 1-502-231-1118 Machine Shop and Finishing Services to the trade and public