doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Reshaping forend

Hi all, I have a lovely AyA two barrel set that I really like, aside for one thing, the large beavertail forearm. The English straight stock just doesn't seem to "fit" with the beavertail, at least to my eye. Has anyone had any experience reshaping a beavertail into a splinter? And if so, could you suggest anybody for the job? I'm a decently accomplished woodworker, but I'd rather not mess up the original nice piece of walnut, as most of my experience is in shaker furniture, not gunstocks.

Hello
What model AYA?
Does the one forend fit both barrels?
What gauges are the barrels?

Why not but a replacement splinter forend
and keep the original pristine?

or

http://hglomasgunmakers.com/

Mike

It's a 12 gauge 116, one of their lower end sidelock guns. And yes the forend fits both barrels. The issue is AyA discontinued the 116 a while ago, and finding/having new forend iron made would probably be out of my price range. I can "deal" with having the beavertail, but I just prefer a splinter. It's a shooter, so I'm not too concerned with keeping it factory original. Its already had the stock lengthened and a pad added.

There are numerous great wood guys out there that can do what you want. My recommendation would be Jim Greenwood.

I would also suggest you consider reducing it down to a very trim and shallow semi-beavertail before you take it all the way to a splinter. If you do not like it, go on with the spfe.

I've seen lots of Jim's work, and it is superb.
JR

Thanks John. I'm thinking that this would be a winter/spring modification. I'll probably keep it a beavertail this season, or at least this fall, since I'll be doing a lot of clay shooting this fall/winter along with the occasional pheasant and grouse hunt. But then again, having my AyA out of commission for modifications will just give me an excuse to burn up some black powder and take my Ithaca Lewis out hunting!

I've heard of instances of reducing a BT to splinter with not-so-great results. Keep in mind that the gap that exists between the barrels and the wood can become an unsightly gap on a splinter.

I've never done this, but you might take a small piece of clay/play dough and put on the bottom of the barrel then replace the forend thereby smashing the clay to fill the gap. Remove the forend and inspect the flattened out piece of clay. Try it in a few places along the length to verify that it is ok.

If it's a shooter it may not matter to you, but if you end up having to make another forend (wood only) you might as well do it now and have both.

Why would you have to have a new forend iron? Simply use the forend iron from your beavertail and just replace the wood. If you sell the gun and the new owner wants a beavertail he can remount the forend iron back on it.
Steve

At first thought, it seems feasible, but it is highly unlikely this type of conversion will end up well. As was mentioned, one aspect is the barrel/wood gap that will manifest itself as the sides of the forend are removed; it's likely the wood will not contact the barrels at all at the front. Also, in order to achieve a properly proportioned splinter, the latch will need to be inletted more deeply into the wood (closer to the barrels), meaning metal work will need to be done to allow the hook to properly secure the forend onto the loop. Obviously anything can be done, just warning of some pitfalls along the way.
Craig Libhart

This a pretty good example of what I am suggesting.http://www.stevebarnettfineguns.com/asp-bin/Detail.asp?ID=7695#
Very nice and trim, yet so functional. Lot easier than a spfe too.
JR

Looks like my link isn't working. It's on Steve Barnett's website, item no. 12626 under 12 gauges. A Piotti King.
JR