shortening LOP?

[bkjeffrey]

I want to shorten the stock on my 870 about 1.75 inches. As far as cutting it I think I can do that myself but I would need some one to fit me a new recoil pad. Is there anyone I can sent it to for this service? Or who here has done it before and how did you do it?

 

[rcmodel]

Can't help you on who might do it.

But you need to think long & hard before you cut 1 3/4" off a standard LOP stock, unless you plan to wear body armor all the time.

With shirt-sleeves, a LOP that short will have your thumb busting you in the nose every shot. Unless of course you are 4' 6" tall.

rc

 

[Mac's Precision]

I would agree with RC on this one. That is a SHORT length of pull. Now....are you shortening it 1.75 and THEN putting on a THICK recoil pad to get back to something close to stock length of pull? OR....are you wanting length of pull 1.75 shorter AFTER the pad install?

If you are looking for the later option...you would have to be very small stature with very short arms. A warning about short length of pull... As RC noted you will be busting yourself in the nose. Further, firing with your shoulder joint opened up leads to uncomfortable recoil into the shoulder and the inclination for the butt stock to slip out of the shoulder pocket making recoil more harsh.

Maybe clarify your intentions. I would be willing to do the work for you provided you have a good clear outline of what you are trying to accomplish. Keep in mind that as you shorten the stock the surface area of the available wood gets much smaller and thus the thrust is distributed over a smaller area making the recoil in that area seem more forceful.

If this is something you would like me to do, I would prefer to make the cut in the stock as it is critical that you maintain the proper angle on the butt surface. Additionally there are some procedures to follow to prevent splintering and getting a nice clean flat surface to attach the pad on. If you aren't careful the finish will splinter and peel leaving a poor looking joint between the wood and the new pad.

Cheers
Mac.

 

[jon86]

I wish i could provide pictures of what I did, but I don't have a camera. I shortened the LOP on my mossberg maverick 88 by one inch.
1. Take off the recoil pad.
2. Take the stock off the gun. ( duh )
3. Mark where you want to cut with first a pencil, then a sharp knive or razor, just to give you a guide where to cut.
4. I just used a hacksaw, but if you have access to a table saw, use it. The cut will be cleaner, easier, and quicker. But my hacksaw worked just fine.
5. Sand the cut down and make it pretty.
6. Drill new holes for the screws for the recoil pad to go onto.
7. Install stock on shotgun and install recoil pad.
8. You may want to cut and sand the recoil pad to fit also. I left mine as it was, because I only cut an inch off the stock, so the bottom of the recoil pad is not much bigger than the stock itself.

Let me know if I can answer any more questions. Good luck!

O and yes I'm glad I did it and it came out nice. It fits me much better now.

 

[bkjeffrey]

Right now when shouldering the gun my thumb nuckle is 4.25 inches from my nose when I pull the gun in hard. Just measured it. If I square my body up with the target I can add a little more distance there. If I turn my body so my side is facing the target, reducing my exposed area, I can shoulder the gun and make my thumb contact my nose.

It is an SD/HD shotgun so I want it a bit shorter naturally. I am also shorter than average with short arms and the factory LOP just seems a bit long to be comfortable. I guess Im used to also shootin NTCH as well and maybe Im looking for that same feel with my shotgun.

 

[Mac's Precision]

Wow... That is quite a discrepancy in pull length. I just went and shouldered my 870 with my eyes closed to see where my head normally lands on the comb of the stock. I opened my eyes to find my sights aligned and my nose about an inch from my thumb knuckle. Now I am a big fellow with gorilla arms so I tend to be all over a stock and would almost like them longer. But by the sounds of it you must have short arms and wrestling with a long length of pull must be uncomfortable.

I moved my shotgun out away from my shoulder to get your 4.25 inch excess pull. That would be difficult to deal with for sure.

Cheers
Mac.

 

[bkjeffrey]

After shooting the gun this after noon and paying close attention to the LOP I think 1.75 may be a bit much. Definately need 1" -1.25" off it though. I know a half inch may not be much of a difference but I think it would help me shoulder the gun a little more naturally.

Mac, Ill send you a PM about the service.

 

[Onward Allusion]

How about swapping out the standard stock for an adjustable LOP stock w/pistol grip?

bkjeffrey

shortening LOP?

 

[Clipper]

Why not get a youth stock? At least they make them for the 870. I had to cut my M-12 stock to a 13" LOP, but you don't have to...

 

[bkjeffrey]

How about swapping out the standard stock for an adjustable LOP stock w/pistol grip?

I want to keep the wood stock because it matches the forend.

I want something like a "bantam" stock

Here is a pic of the gun in question.

 

[rcmodel]

SO, why don't you take the thick rubber recoil pad off and try that LOP??

No harm no foul if you find out an inch less is going to do it.

Once you cut off the stock there is no going back!

The old school rough measure was to hold the gun in a normal firing grip, then bend your elbow.
If the but fits in the bent elbow joint, the LOP is correct for your build & size.
If it doesn't, only then is it too long for you.

rc

 

[bkjeffrey]

If the but fits in the bent elbow joint,

Just tried it, the end of the stock did not rest in my elbow, actuall the end of the stock fell between my bicep and tricep area, about halfway through my arm if that makes any sense. It was about two inches too far back to fall into my elbow joint.