Gun Stock Making.

[CHJ]

Not a something appreciated by some due to the subject but never the less a perfect video in my opinion on the handling of wood to meet the needs of a premium product.
The company specialises in replica guns (with some modern improvements in detail to up the quality/accuracy provided by modern materials and computers) for the competition circuit and the time committed to handling of the wood and attention to detail certainly shows when handling the finished article for its intended purpose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrq0rwp0vbQ

For those who would dismiss the subject because of the end product I would implore you to persevere with the video and take note of the wood seasoning and finishing in particular, the timescales involved are also a strong reminder on the need for patience to get the best out of one of natures most beautiful creations.

 

[Alexam]

That's a facinating video, thanks for sharing it. Wonder where the offcuts all go, surely, not all burnt on the fire. Perhaps a few samples when next in the area?

They certainly know how to do a good job.

Alex

 

[marku]

A very interesting video,

I have a very old side by side hammer action shotgun that I bought very cheaply, the stock has been cut off at some stage probably for a youth to learn to shoot with.

I wonder how feasible it is to make a stock for it, I always thought it would be too complicated, although really I would have nothing to loose by having a go.

Mark

 

[Fat ferret]

A very interesting video,

I have a very old side by side hammer action shotgun that I bought very cheaply, the stock has been cut off at some stage probably for a youth to learn to shoot with.

I wonder how feasible it is to make a stock for it, I always thought it would be too complicated, although really I would have nothing to loose by having a go.

Mark

Perhaps you could put a lump of softwood on the end of your existing stock, get a nice piece of timber and get a go on one of those carving duplicator machines then finish it. The machine would help with the inletting for the action.

Its not a "bar in the wood" hammer gun is it?

 

[marku]

It would be an interesting project and a carving duplicator would make the job easier,

The gun is made by The Midland Gun Company.

It's a very cheap gun that I paid £80.00 for because of its condition, it had been hung on a wall and was thick with cigarette smoke before the days of gun cabinets. It cleaned up well but the wood lets it down and the kick makes it unsuitable for children.

So it might be worth a go!

Mark

 

[richarddownunder]

Interesting video, the next one after it is equally fascinating. Completely handmade shotguns - didn't think such things were still made. Amazing handwork.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUXoNUzAyvk

Cheers
Richard

 

[Benchwayze]

Marku


Would the recoil be affected by the fact that a chunk has been taken off the stock?

There could be a problem with a gun that has had the stock sawn down.

Most laymen would think that a shotgun is an offensive weapon; but unless the law has changed, shotguns are not classed as an offensive weapon 'per see'. Shotguns are a sporting tool, (Whatever your views on blood sports!) and they were designed to kill wildlife, and not people. Shotguns can be USED as offensive weapons of course.

It used to be an offence to saw a shotgun down by the barrels, (and probably still is an offence.) Any such gun is immediately transformed into an 'offensive weapon' and a prohibited one at that. I can't recall if the same conditions apply to a gun with just a sawn-off stock.

The thinking being; a sawn-off shotgun is easier to conceal about the person; and you wouldn't need to do that unless you were intending to use the gun for nefarious purposes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawed-off_shotgun


I'd have it repaired to be safe. 8)

I am fed up with not being able to activate my spell-check in Firefox!!! :?

 

[Alexam]

Interesting video, the next one after it is equally fascinating. Completely handmade shotguns - didn't think such things were still made. Amazing handwork.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUXoNUzAyvk

Cheers
Richard

Fantastic video. Thanks for showing that ,

Alex

 

[CHJ]

Not woodwork but skill related with the same subject, despite all the modern production aids and materials the precision comes from one man and his judgement using a bright light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOo-muzMRp0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VeZynGoIQo

Resulting in the reason one of my Grandchildren bought one of these for competition shooting:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3el1FGIu6s4

 

[custard]

It's said that the very best Walnut comes from either end of the bole. Most people are familiar with the top end of that equation, the crotch grain where the bole first breaks into the main branches. Less well known is the "butty wood" right down by the roots.

I understand Purdey shotguns source their timber for gunstocks exclusively from Walnut trees which have been dug up rather than chainsaw felled, in order to preserve as much of the butty wood as possible. The cost is apparently breath taking and I've heard that a single Walnut blank can cost over £1000.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

That makes perfect sense to me. Every tree rootball I've ever had access to has always yielded the most interesting and striking grain so add walnut into that equation and I can see why Purdey value the butts so highly. Doesn't half muller your chainsaw cutting them though...stones etc!

 

[woodaxed]

It's said that the very best Walnut comes from either end of the bole. Most people are familiar with the top end of that equation, the crotch grain where the bole first breaks into the main branches. Less well known is the "butty wood" right down by the roots.

I understand Purdey shotguns source their timber for gunstocks exclusively from Walnut trees which have been dug up rather than chainsaw felled, in order to preserve as much of the butty wood as possible. The cost is apparently breath taking and I've heard that a single Walnut blank can cost over £1000.

a purdey entry level side by side start at £66,000 so i can easily see them paying £1000 for a Walnut blank

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

wow...no wonder they used them in "The Sweeney"

 

[marku]

Marku


Would the recoil be affected by the fact that a chunk has been taken off the stock?

There could be a problem with a gun that has had the stock sawn down.

Most laymen would think that a shotgun is an offensive weapon; but unless the law has changed, shotguns are not classed as an offensive weapon 'per see'. Shotguns are a sporting tool, (Whatever your views on blood sports!) and they were designed to kill wildlife, and not people. Shotguns can be USED as offensive weapons of course.

It used to be an offence to saw a shotgun down by the barrels, (and probably still is an offence.) Any such gun is immediately transformed into an 'offensive weapon' and a prohibited one at that. I can't recall if the same conditions apply to a gun with just a sawn-off stock.

The thinking being; a sawn-off shotgun is easier to conceal about the person; and you wouldn't need to do that unless you were intending to use the gun for nefarious purposes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawed-off_shotgun


I'd have it repaired to be safe. 8)

Just to be clear, The Gun is held on a shotgun certificate and has been checked by our local firearms officer when my licence was renewed along with my other guns. He had absolutely no reservations about the gun.

The gun has only had maybe 1" cut off the stock, this is common practise with shotguns to make them fit smaller people. Anyone who shoots will know that shortening the stock by even a little bit makes the gun difficult to shoot accurately if you are average size. (most guns are made for Mr average) Friends of mine have spent large amounts of money having their guns professionally fitted to them which involves shortening, lengthening and generally changing the position of the stock.

No one has altered the barrels in anyway.

The recoil (kick) is affected, the lighter the gun the more recoil is felt. The old hammer guns where quite light generally and do tend to kick a bit.

There is absolutely nothing dangerous about the gun, the barrels are in proof and I had them measured again before I shot it.

I really don't have any views on blood sports, I shoot clays.

Sorry if this sounds like a blunt reply but I think it is important to make the point that this is a safe gun which is legally held in the UK with the correct licence. I should of made this clear to start with.

Getting back to the point I would love to have a go at making a stock and fore end for the gun although I wont be spending £1000.00 anytime soon on a piece of Walnut to have a go on!

 

[sunnybob]

If the stock is only shortened by an inch, any good gun shop can sell you a shock absorbing recoil pad, which would "kill two birds with one stone".
The length will return to "stock" and the recoil of the light gun considerably reduced.

 

[Benchwayze]

Marku


Would the recoil be affected by the fact that a chunk has been taken off the stock?

There could be a problem with a gun that has had the stock sawn down.

Most laymen would think that a shotgun is an offensive weapon; but unless the law has changed, shotguns are not classed as an offensive weapon 'per see'. Shotguns are a sporting tool, (Whatever your views on blood sports!) and they were designed to kill wildlife, and not people. Shotguns can be USED as offensive weapons of course.

It used to be an offence to saw a shotgun down by the barrels, (and probably still is an offence.) Any such gun is immediately transformed into an 'offensive weapon' and a prohibited one at that. I can't recall if the same conditions apply to a gun with just a sawn-off stock.

The thinking being; a sawn-off shotgun is easier to conceal about the person; and you wouldn't need to do that unless you were intending to use the gun for nefarious purposes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawed-off_shotgun


I'd have it repaired to be safe. 8)

Just to be clear, The Gun is held on a shotgun certificate and has been checked by our local firearms officer when my licence was renewed along with my other guns. He had absolutely no reservations about the gun.

The gun has only had maybe 1" cut off the stock, this is common practise with shotguns to make them fit smaller people. Anyone who shoots will know that shortening the stock by even a little bit makes the gun difficult to shoot accurately if you are average size. (most guns are made for Mr average) Friends of mine have spent large amounts of money having their guns professionally fitted to them which involves shortening, lengthening and generally changing the position of the stock.

No one has altered the barrels in anyway.

The recoil (kick) is affected, the lighter the gun the more recoil is felt. The old hammer guns where quite light generally and do tend to kick a bit.

There is absolutely nothing dangerous about the gun, the barrels are in proof and I had them measured again before I shot it.

I really don't have any views on blood sports, I shoot clays.

Sorry if this sounds like a blunt reply but I think it is important to make the point that this is a safe gun which is legally held in the UK with the correct licence. I should of made this clear to start with.

Getting back to the point I would love to have a go at making a stock and fore end for the gun although I wont be spending £1000.00 anytime soon on a piece of Walnut to have a go on!

Mark,

Providing you don't mind me speaking as I feel too, then you may be as blunt as you wish. My shoulders are broad enough, and I am too old to worry about such things. I also understand how you might feel. However, I was trying to be helpful. The remark about blood sports was merely to differentiate between a firearm (Rifle, Pistol, or Automatic weapon; designed to kill people, and a sporting shotgun. For the record I don't like killing for its own sake either.
I mentioned sawing off a shotgun, to illustrate when a sporting weapon becomesd a firearm, in law. I thought you might be interested in such nuances. Clearly, you knew that already. Also, you have a certificate, so the shotgun is not an illegal weapon. If you inferred otherwise, it was my mistake. There was no intetion to imply you were breaking any laws. So maybe you will forgive me if I did assume a little; I have the habit of not taking everything at face value. It was part of my job.

My apologies if one is necessary.

John

 

[marku]

John

I was only seeking to clarify the position regarding the shotgun being discussed knowing how emotive the subject of guns can be.

Its really not a problem, no apologies are necessary.

I enjoy the craftsmanship of the old English shotguns which is why I fancied trying to make a stock for one that has seen better days.

Mark

 

[Benchwayze]

Np Mark... Forgotten.

Now, how thick does the raw walnut need to be?

John

 

[marcros]

I think that making a stock is one of those jobs that looks deceptively simple. It would be a nice project to do though, and would make the gun usable again- shooting something with too short a stock isn't much fun- my father and I shot some clays with mine and he moaned how much it had bruit=sed him the following day- I was unaffected because it was fine for me.

 

[marku]

At a guess the wood needs to be at least 3 inches thick.

It looks really tricky to me, I think it would take a very long time and a carving duplicator would make things a bit easier as said earlier in the post.

A friend of mine has made a solid walnut electric guitar which is probably comparable. Definitely not easy but maybe doable?????

Mark