John,
If you're so inclined, stock bending is the easiest gunsmithing that I've ever done. Much easier than hollowing out the comb which requires refinishing the stock. You may need to do both as the cast is to fit the width of your shoulders and the comb thickness to fit the width of your face.
I am not a qualified gunsmith and this advice is worth what you paid for it nor do I know how you decide how much to alter your gun. I was lucky to inherit a gun from my grandfather that fits me like a glove (actually I've never had a pair of gloves that fit me nearly as well as this gun. Most gloves are like most guns, designed to sort of work for the average, and fit nobody well) and strive to get my other guns to match it, including bending the stocks and thinning the combs. I am not a good enough shot to be able to hit things consistently if I have to screw my head around on the stock to get my eye over the rib.
My bending technique is to set the action in a vise and rig something on the bench top so I can pull on the butt with a large c-clamp. I put a little linseed oil on the wrist and set a work light on either side. I set the lights close to heats things up and back them off when the oil starts smoking. I then fiddle around with something else close by for half an hour or so then start trying the stock to see if its limbered up. When there is less resistance to bending I crank on the clamp about the desired amount or a bit more and turn off the lamps. Wait for the wood to cool and try it for fit.
I experimented with a stoeger condor before trying a nicer gun.
Last edited by EverD; 09/23/10 08:06 AM.
