Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Pad installation on Pre-64 Winchester

I recently purchased a Winchester Pre-64 model 64 Deluxe Carbine at a local estate auction. The rifle is very nice but has a ventilated Pachmeyer pad on it. In addition, the toe of the pad does not follow the line of the stock well. I want to have this replaced with a hard rubber Winchester pad. I want to have it done correctly. Now before you say "it's just a pad, anyone can do it", please know that I have seen dozens of horrible pad jobs and I have been disappointed by gunsmith work on more than one occasion.
Where should I send this gun to have the pad put on correctly ?

Before you jump.That looks like a shotgun pad ( which I put on all my guns that have a bit of a recoil). Keep in mind a solid rubber pad might not be as thick so you would cut the LOP. Can you stand that?

From the 1st photo,it looks like that pad could be dressed down at the back of it to more fully following stock lines.Not perfect though,and you would still have the ventilated pad which you seem to not care for. Just a thought though

Depending on your objective the solid red Winchester pad is not as thick as the pad that is on the rifle, it will as the above poster notes shorten the LOP a little. Also the Winchester pad does not do a good job of reducing recoil, if your objective is solely aesthetic improvement that's not an issue. If on the other hand you intend to shoot the rifle, a red Decelerator would be preferable. Our own Jim Kobe has installed a couple of Decelerator pads on pre'64 M/70's for me, his work was well done and the turn around was quick.

I've let local shoe repair guys fit recoil pads for me before with excellent results. Just got to let them know what you expect in terms of not damaging original finish with proper prep, etc. (I don't leave anything un-said any more, especially with young people!) I know you said you wanted a solid pad but they might be able to clean that one up pretty well with the proper equipment.

The toughest thing may be finding an old timer with the skills. With everything becoming "disposable" in the last 20-30 years, it seems like the old shoe repair shops are disappearing, at least where I am!

If the issue with the present unit is excess material, one can clean it up with a belt or disk sander.

You must be kidding! Or you have very low expectations.

"redneck" is doing a pad for me right now. Did a great job on a Savage 99 for me.

That pad could be cleaned up but it just doesn't look right to me. The metal Winchester plate my first choice, or the thicker red pad would improve the appearance and as others said a Red Decelerator might be best for a using rifle. A Decelerator could match the current thickness. There are also hard rubber Winchester butt plates that could be appropriate.
For a rifle used for stalking which is what I think they are made for a slightly shorter length of pull is better especially with heavy clothes as long as you don't tweak your nose when shooting.