doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Silvers Pad, how to finish

how come no one here wants to address the gun balance issue...

when one adds six ounces or more of solid dense rubber to the end of the butt stock of say a seven pound gun, it dramatically changes the handling qualities built into said gun...

often making it whippy and difficult to control on crossing shots...

and butt heavy and sluggy when mounting the gun for a quick snap shot...

a light wood extension, weighing only a couple of ounces is a better choice...

particularly, if one needs more than an inch of stock extension...

in my opinion...

Because no one here wants to bother with refuting your wrong opinions, ed. You're welcome.
JR

If you have an old gun, I agree with ed. I wouldn't put a Silvers pad on an old gun. I have one here that I ordered years ago, but I didn't like the look so I never used it. (No offense to those who do) But I wouldn't put a wooden pad on either. That gives a gun a more modern look like on an expensive Beretta 687. On an old gun I think I would go with a horn pad if one could withstand the recoil of not having a pad. Galazans sells them. I put one on an old Parker for a guy a few years ago and it really looked sharp. But, if you are set on using the Silvers pad I would use some mink oil and lanolin and neatsfoot oil along with a little silicone. And you can get all of that in a product I have mentioned on here before. It is called Mr. Leather. You can use it on your leather covered pads also. And when you get done, try it on the leather in your car. It will outlast these cheap conditioners like Armor All and stay on your car all summer long. But good luck with your pad. The eye of the beholder type of thing.

Just weighed different period pads on a digital scale. Two different Hawkins heart pads, two Jostam Antiflinch. And one No Shoc pad. Heaviest was a tie between the No Shoc and one unfitted Hawkins at 5.4 ounces. Both Antiflinch pads came in at 4.6 ounces.
No idea what today's pads weigh as I don't use them.

Here are actual weights from my digital scales on several different pads. Keep in mind that these are gross weights before grinding.

Jostam Hi-Gun 7.1 oz.

Hawkins Repro Straight slot 7.2 oz.

Hawkins Trestle slots (original, after grinding ) 5.5 - 5.7 oz.

Jostam No-Kick-Coming 3.7 oz.

Leather Kick-Killer lace-on 4.8 oz.

Anyone who thinks their shooting is ruined by this much weight added to a gun is delusional. Think a wood extension is weightless?

After years of discussions here concerning the alleged importance of perfect shotgun balance, swing effort, or Moment of Inertia (M.O.I), and various tools or methods to measure it, I'm not going to criticize Ed for giving his opinion on the matter. I'll save my criticism for the idiots who vote for anti-gun Democrats.

What hasn't been mentioned is that the primary function of a recoil pad is to absorb or mitigate recoil, and that's something no wood extension is going to provide. Some guys are recoil sensitive, and a pad not only gives them the extra L.O.P. they may need, but also more comfortable shooting. That said, there are pads that are unattractive, not period correct, or simply not well done. Personally, I don't care for any wood extension, other than some of contrasting wood that aren't much thicker than a standard buttplate. I'm not a fan of the idea that wood extensions can be hidden by fake grain painting techniques, because that process is not only quite expensive, but it is also nothing more than a surface application that can be scratched off or otherwise damaged. Even if the wood joint is done perfectly, the joint may still become visible as the two different pieces of wood in the stock and the extension expand and contract due to humidity changes.

I agree with Stan about the fact that any wood extension, especially one made of dense walnut, also adds some weight. So the net difference and effect upon balance is probably going to be negligible for all but the most sensitive shooter. The density of walnut is around .025 lb./cu. inch, and the density of rubber is about a third more. And there is a good chance that a gun with a really short stock is already going to be a tad muzzle heavy. However, I think my shooting would probably be more negatively affected by a too short L.O.P. than by a couple ounces of imbalance.

And if a gun is too short by more than one inch, no combination of pads, spacers, or extensions ever looks good. Better to restock it, sell it, or use a lace-on pad when shooting it.

Almost every thread devolves into an argument or insults.

Personally, I don't care for recoil pads. Plenty of others however do. It's your shotgun or rifle, do what makes you happy and works for you.

Like some others have posted, a tiny bit of Vaseline applied and then buffed works great.

no weights given here for one inch solid dense orange or red silvers type rubber pad...

reasonable guess is around six ounces...

as for wood extension, mahogany is a good choice, I would think...

light weight and durable...one inch should be a coupe of ounces or iess. I would think...

a several ounces added to the butt of a six pound grouse gun, can make a big difference in the handling qualities of said gun...

this I know from many years of practical experience...

hunting old ruff in dense cover...

newer, functional recoil pads, such as those marketed by kick eez, are popular around here...

https://graco-corp.com/shop-all/kick-eez-products/

I question the notion that recoil pads reduce felt recoil at all. One thing I know for sure is they can interfere with the operation of inertial single triggers.

I always prefer a gun without one. If a recoil pad gets a gun I really like to my required LOP, I’ll put up with it. But, it is never more than that, just putting up with it.

Wood extensions seem to me to be what Red Green would do if his shotgun was too short for him.

Gag me with a spoon.


Best,
Ted

Back to the original question, I’d suggest you pay attention to Gunman. I’m sure he has done hundreds of them in a shop that prided itself on good work done in a timely manner.

As to perceived balance, all of that is just “talk”. A gun does not have the same “balance” for someone who is 5’6” tall as for someone who is a foot taller.