Shotgun stock alteration - practicalities and costs?

[VSS]

What are the practicalities and costs involved in getting a shotgun stock altered?
I wouldn't be surprised to find I could probably buy a replacement gun for less than an alteration would cost, but I have no idea.
The gun in question was inherited from my father, which is why I'd rather have it altered and continue to use it instead of replacing it. It's not a particularly a high value gun, but well made and in good condition. It's a side-by-side 12 bore, Spanish made, something very similar to an AYA.

No matter how hard I squash my cheek down onto the comb it's still too high, with the result that my shots go over the top. I think that the whole stock needs bending down a bit at the pistol grip.
It's never really bothered me before, firstly because until recently I have hardly used a shotgun since getting my FAC, and secondly because I have an old BSA 12 bore that's always stood me in good stead when needed. However, the old BSA has now reached the point of dilapidation where it's probably getting unsafe to use with any regularity, and in the last couple of years I have started doing quite a bit of pigeon shooting. Therefore it now makes sense to me to consider getting the better / safer gun adjusted to fit.

Or should I just keep it sitting in the cabinet for sentimental reasons, and buy a cheap o/u for the pigeons?

 

[Eric the Red]

Worth a chat with Chris at Lucas and Watts Gunsmiths. He specialises in restoration and maintenance of classic guns. He'll be able to give you some sound advice. Sometimes the sentimental value far outweighs the financial. To shoot a family 'heirloom' and have 'for best' is a nice thing to have - something money cannot buy.

 

[enfieldspares]

Bending down is always easier than bending up. Slightly less easier if the shotgun has a half pistol hand, or pistol hand, but still easier than bending up. It'll cost less than one and a half hundred pounds and, the caveat, is always done at owner's risk. That is is the stock does crack then there's no re-stock at any other than your cost.

If there's no sentimental value then it may be cheaper to buy a similar side by side to your own that does fit. But as you have said yourself if you have the cabinet space then a cheap o/u (or a cheap s/b/s that fits) may be the answer. A high shooting gun isn't actually a bad thing for decoyed pigeons as a second shot will most always be on a climbing bird.

Also see if the answer is actually easier fixed by opening the chokes...especially the left barrel! It depends how "high" is high. A short range a high shooting improved choke will hit a bird that you might just touch with a few fringe pellets or miss if the barrel is choked three quarter or full.

Finally fitting is an answer to you being too tall, short, high necked, low necked, thin faced or fat faced or slim or broad shouldered...it is not an answer to poor technique. So unless you are 100% confident it is not that latter,have a lesson with a good coach who understands fitting and fitting a s/b/s. If you are having the stock sent away to be re-set you might as well have the cast, length and stand out done properly too.

 

[Kalahari]

Hello Tim, a pal of mine had a stock done locally, I can't remember who did it but I will get in touch and get the contact details for you.

David.

 

[McKenzie]

I have to get all my stocks altered as I'm tall. From memory I think that the last time I paid about £120 for a 2" wooden extension (inc.refinishing) & about £40 a bend (x2; out & down). This was on a an AYA boxlock & I've had it done to many shotguns, mainly side by sides but also an over & under.

 

[FGYT]

try a slip on stock extension pad my limited exp is that when shooting over the top the gun is usually to short for me. Most my guns are cheap second hand Spanish stuff a pad usually makes them usable

 

[roryh]

Just a thought.

Will fitting an aftermarket foresight not be less expensive and less of a drama with the same effect and also without potentially knackering your old gun?

 

[enfieldspares]

No RORY! In broad terms on a shot gun your eye is the backsight and the stock alteration is to adjust the position of the shotgun so that it, the shotgun, now aligns with that backsight.

 

[VSS]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Finally fitting is an answer to you being too tall, short, high necked, low necked, thin faced or fat faced or slim or broad shouldered...it is not an answer to poor technique. So unless you are 100% confident it is not that latter,have a lesson with a good coach .

I freely admit that my shotgun skills are not the best, but I have had a bit of coaching, which has helped. However, with this particular gun there's no doubt it's the wrong shape for me. In contrast, I get pretty good results using the old BSA.

Hello Tim, a pal of mine had a stock done locally, I can't remember who did it but I will get in touch and get the contact details for you.

Thanks David.

I have to get all my stocks altered as I'm tall. From memory I think that the last time I paid about £120 for a 2" wooden extension (inc.refinishing) & about £40 a bend (x2; out & down). This was on a an AYA boxlock & I've had it done to many shotguns, mainly side by sides but also an over & under.

That's encouraging. At that sort of money I would definitely get it done.

try a slip on stock extension pad my limited exp is that when shooting over the top the gun is usually to short for me. Most my guns are cheap second hand Spanish stuff a pad usually makes them usable

I've tried various different pads etc, but to no avail. The gun is certainly not too short. My father was a bigger bloke than myself.

In broad terms on a shot gun your eye is the backsight and the stock alteration is to adjust the position of the shotgun so that it, the shotgun, now aligns with that backsight.

That's roughly how I understood it too.

 

[fizzbangwhallop]

On the recommendation of AngloItalian the importers, I took my 20b Caesar guerini up to Wisemans in Cannock to have it fitted.

Made the appointment and we spent well over the hour getting the measurements right including the balance and generally talking guns (as you would). He then took a bloody great rasp off the rack and with a ‘you might want to look away at this point, most do!” took some wood off the comb.

Collected under a fortnight later having been finished including taking 5mm out of the grip, re-chequering and polishing back to better than original. Lovely job.

So, pretty extensive work for me but properly done by an old school craftsman... the fitting was an experience in itself. All in all I think it was around the £170 mark which in today’s market was bloody good value.

http://fjwiseman.co.uk/index.html

Cheers

Fizz

 

[enfieldspares]

I remember both Wild's and Wiseman's when they were on Price Street in Birmingham. The OP would be well served by a trip down the A5 (avoiding Richard Brunstom's speed cameras) to Cannock. Wiseman's will do him proud.