How hard is it to fit new stocks to an O/U shotgun (Beretta 686)?

[1KPerDay]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUl90K2kzqE

I just got some new stocks for my 686 and would like to try it myself... I've done this before several times but only with blackpowder kits that require final fitting/shaping/finishing.

Anyone here fitted new factory wood to a beretta? How difficult can I expect it to be?

 

[oneounceload]

Those stocks are cut out on the latest stock duplicators, so I am imagining, that some minor tweaking might be in order - but then again, it might just drop in. Kreighoffs are easily changeable, as are Perazzis, no reason to suspect that the Beretta 68X series wouldn't be close

 

[1KPerDay]

That's encouraging... thanks.

 

[ArmedBear]

I'd expect it to be bolt-on.

Beretta doesn't make a profit by doing a hell of a lot of hand fitting on a $1500 gun. They use very modern methods of manufacturing, so parts tend to be interchangeable. I believe only their barrel sets need to be 'smithed slightly to fit the receiver properly.

 

[1KPerDay]

Well I took a look and the little ears or tabs at the front of the buttstock are going to require significant and careful fitting. The ones on the new stock are the same width as the stock, whereas the ones in the takeoff stock are about half as wide and the forward outside edges have been shaped with a circular wedge profile if that makes sense, ostensibly so they tighten as they seat. I'll have to work on it a bit and hopefully don't ruin it.

Anyone know where I can get a cheap butt/recoil pad for a sporting buttstock? I thought I could remove the one from the onyx but it's not long enough.

 

[1KPerDay]

I've worked on the little biscuits/ears/tabs at the front of the stock and got them fairly close to the dimensions of the original one... it's still not going on all the way. I'm paranoid that I'm going to miss some other part that needs to be relieved also, but to my eye the other machined/routed cutouts in the stock all appear identical. Has anyone here done this before? Any highly trained and highly paid beretta smiths or stockfitters want to step in and provide me with some free info to save me from my ignorance before I really screw something up?

 

[451 Detonics]

Just about any aftermarket butt pad will have to be fit. If that is a Beretta stock you bought you might be able to find a pre-fit or a take off on gunbroker for it.

 

[1KPerDay]

Never mind... I went slow, tried to be really careful, used marking compound, etc. but I still managed to bugger it up.

 

[1KPerDay]

So now there's a 1/8" long crack at the tang/wrist thanks to my impatience.:banghead:

Video here for those none interested. I believe I got very close to doing it correctly, but it is VERY tricky. At least starting with a new stock that hasn't been fitted to a beretta receiver before. I can't speak for another kind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQnoQq8nLkw

 

[451 Detonics]

We won't talk about the 1911 parts I buggered when I started learning to build them, or the S&W innards I ruined...all part of the learning curve. I have restocked quite a few long guns as well...slow and easy is the way to go as you found out...try again and learn from your mistakes.

 

[1KPerDay]

Did you see anything obviously wrong in my technique or was I basically on the right track?

 

[451 Detonics]

I think you were on the right track but forcing anything is always a bad idea. Remember the stock bolt will pull things together and compress the wood slightly. If there isn't enough play it will make that force go somewhere, in your case it cracked the stock. Keep reminding yourself of how the proper fit feels by using your old stock, you want to new one to feel the same way when it slides on.