Increasing LOP??

[Fatback]

I wanted to get y’all’s opinion on the best way to increase LOP without getting a completely new stock.

Here is my situation. I have a 404Jeffery built in a Winchester M70 Safari Express. The current LOP is about 13.5 inches and I’d really like to increase that by 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Is there a slip on type recoil pad or some such that would achieve this without making the rifle unwieldy and goofy looking? Ultimately I may break down and get a new stock for it but I am looking for quicker and less expensive options to start. Any suggestions or first hand experiences with this sort of thing would be welcomed. Thanks.

 

[roklok]

How thick is the current pad ? NECG has pads up to 1.5 inch thick. They also have hard rubber spacers for adding LOP. That would be the direction I would go. Add a thicker pad and/or spacer. Take a look at these pages.

https://www.newenglandcustomgun.com/proddetail.php?prod=4178

NECG Recoil Pads | New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd. - Page 1

 

[Fatback]

@roklok, How difficult are they to install? This looks like it would fit the bill for sure.

 

[roklok]

A tricky job when working on a finished stock, a job for someone who has proper equipment and experience. They (pad and spacer) are grind to fit, so either would need to be fit to your stock. An easy job for a gunsmith who knows what he is doing. A much easier job on an unfinished stock, simply grind to fit on a belt sander before finishing stock.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

There is a thread on fitting recoil pads in the gunsmithing section, it’s fairly easy if you’re careful and take your time
Gumpy

 

[deewayne2003]

Send it to Tommy Shurley at Shurley Customs stocks in Uhland TX, and simply tell him what finished LOP you want.

If he can’t do it with a thicker pad alone, he can fit an ebony spacer that will make up the difference.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

They aren't good looking, but cheap and effective. I put one of these on a rifle, an old Ruger, with too short of LOP for me and problem solved. I think I got either the Limbsaver or the Kick Eez

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?searchTerm=slip on recoil pad

 

[Fatback]

Thanks for all the suggestions. It’s been very helpful. As I looked into this I thought back to my man Clint Eastwood when he says “A man has to know his limitations.” So with that in mind, the stock will be going to my friend and fellow forum member @Mark Biggerstaff.

Mark reached out to me and we discussed the project a little bit and instead of me muddling through it and making a mess of the stock, I’m sending it to Mark and he is going to get it squared away for me. That is what is so great about this forum, good, knowledgeable folks willing to help one another.

Appreciate all of y’all. I’ll post up pics when I get the stock back from Mark.

 

[rookhawk]

Don’t forget, lengthening LOP typically is reducing your drop at face (e.g. your face is closer to the heel, lower in relationship to the sights/optics).

The 1.5” pads look awful. The 1.25” NECG are an optical illusion, they look 1”. I’m not sure if you have a 1” pad already, or if it’s a 5/8” or .75”?

If you would gain a half inch by using a 1.25” pad, it’s worth the squeeze. Any more than that and your drops aren’t going to work well and you’ll be taking your face off the comb to shoot which increases the ouch factor.

 

[Safari Dave]

I would use a combination of spacers and a recoil pad that you like.

A competent gunsmith can do very easily.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

They aren't good looking, but cheap and effective. I put one of these on a rifle, an old Ruger, with too short of LOP for me and problem solved. I think I got either the Limbsaver or the Kick Eez

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?searchTerm=slip on recoil pad

View attachment 668049

I have used the Pachmyer and the Limbsaver; I like them. They are an easy non-permanent option for my older levers.

 

[Tucketed]

When my son who is 6.5 uses my 404J we use the slip on decelerator pad. Slip it over the stock pad you get the length. Works quite well. Just remember to remove it between use so it doesn’t harm the finish on the stock.

 

[Philip Glass]

I wanted to get y’all’s opinion on the best way to increase LOP without getting a completely new stock.

Here is my situation. I have a 404Jeffery built in a Winchester M70 Safari Express. The current LOP is about 13.5 inches and I’d really like to increase that by 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Is there a slip on type recoil pad or some such that would achieve this without making the rifle unwieldy and goofy looking? Ultimately I may break down and get a new stock for it but I am looking for quicker and less expensive options to start. Any suggestions or first hand experiences with this sort of thing would be welcomed. Thanks.

Just go to a good gunsmith and have them fit you. I have all my guns fitted whether DIY or smith. My LOP is just too long to shoot any stock rifles.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Avoid Limbsaver slip-on pads. They are too soft and don't stay put. No matter what size, they wander sideways on the butt. Pachmayer Decelerator are very good. Only drawback is the easy-on design also makes them easy-off. I lost four in three years pheasant hunting. Pachmayer now makes a cheaper version called Renegade I think. It has the same quality recoil pad but with full length sidewalls so it doesn't slip off easily. Also does not have the hard rubber tip to allow for quick mounting without snagging on clothing. I never cared for that anyway. Set my shotgun up against the wall or loading bench and it slips and falls down. When I am wearing several layers hunting in cold weather, I simply remove the pad to avoid getting tangled up in my coat.

To make the LOP even longer for trap shooting I cut a spacer from a cheap Walmart flip-flop and inserted it inside the slip-on recoil pad. I will remove it for low gun skeet shooting and field hunting.