Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Recoil pad replacement..

So, after attempting to install a grind-to-fit recoil pad on the stock of my CZ 452 Silhouette, I am just not happy with the results. The original Limbsaver-like pad melted off and decinigrated.

I have contacted three 'gunsmiths' from the area (who work at local gunshops) who all told me they "dont do that kind of work." They only do work on AR platforms.

So I'm wondering if any gunsmiths here would want to install a red
Pachmayr Decelerator pad on my stock. I'll gladly mail out the stock at this point to have it done right. I can order and send another pad with the stock, or if it's more convenient, just include the cost of the pad in the bill.

I just want my favorite .22 back up and running before squirrel season starts this September.


Just shoot me a PM if you're interested. Thanks.

I'm not interested but perhaps I can offer you some tips on how to do it yourself if you have a belt sander if you want.
Phil

Lee, AKA, "Redneck" does the work. I have used him to replace a recoil pad and his work is top notch.

Jim Kobe has installed several red Pachmyer Decelerator pads for me, his price and turnaround time are reasonable and he is a pleasure to deal with.

I never thought I would see the day that recoil pad installation would fall under the specialized work category so that a person would have to ship a rifle off to get a pad fitted. A changing landscape, for sure. It used to be that a gunsmith could be expected to do most anything. No more, I guess. GD

Right. 20 years ago, I can think of at least 3 gunsmiths within a 20 minute drive, and those were the ones that I knew of. The last fellow in the area, who by the way was a craftsman in every sense of the word, has more or less hung it up due to health issues. He specialized in bluing, and he had mentioned a few times that bluing salts(?) were getting expensive, and the EPA regulations were making certain chemicals harder to get and more pricey as well?

Around my neck of the woods, the only "gunsmithing" services offered are big box store canted scope mounting, and AR builds, which isnt gunsmithing. It's like Legos for adults. Hell, my daughter could assemble an AR platform. And sadly, I only live a stones throw away from the Pittsburgh Gunsmithing School. If I had a spare year, I'd enroll. Maybe when I retire in 8 years, if they're still in business and gunsmithing is still legal.

That would be cool.
Would do it if I was that close to a school.

I never even knew there was a Pittsburgh school.

Yes, the local 'Smith I described as a craftsman went there a little later in life after he retired. He said it was a good program when we went through.

Judging from his work, it must have been. Some of the guns he has redone are next level gorgeous (he has a thing for Marlin levers).

For those who would like to gain some gunsmithing knowledge without the expense and commitment of a full 2 yr. program one of the NRA sponsored summer classes are an excellent way to do so. They are offered at several of the gunsmithing schools throughout the country and are taught by top notch gunsmiths many of whom are members of the Gunsmith's Guild. In most cases students can bring personal projects to work on in these classes, nothing like having a working pro showing you the tricks of the trade first hand.

I’m not sure how many recoil pads Jim has installed for me, but more than five. Several were on high grade shotguns.
His work has been excellent.