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Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 218

I have a 31L on which I'd really like to have the stock dimensions altered.

I seem to recall someone on here having a gunsmith who said he could/would bend a 31L "no problem," but I can't find the post for the life of me. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

If anyone has other suggestions for a stock bender, I'm all ears. I've checked with Mike Orlen, and he won't do it.

Absent having it bent, I'd be interested in having it re-inletted. I'd appreciate suggestions of someone to do that work.

At this point, I don't think I'm ready to go the restock route. Maybe in the future if I can't figure something else out.

Joined: 14 Nov 2011 Posts: 164 Location: Minnesota

Caleb, talk with Kirk merrington. He will give you an honest answer. He is not the cheapest but his work is top of the line.

Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1480 Location: Mpls, MN.

I would be really surprised if Kirk accepted a model 31 to work on. That isn't his forté.
Check with Ahlman's Custom Gun in Morristown, MN. I suspect they would be more inclined to re-inlet the stock, as opposed to bending.

Best,
Ted

Caleb, I went to Dennis Earl Smith (The Stock Doctor) about bending my 31L stock to raise the comb, and was well pleased with his work. He got it where I wanted by re-cutting the inletting. If I'm remembering right, he indicated the alloy frame of the 31L isn't strong/resilient enough at the throughbolt hole for safely bending.

Jay

Most stock repair specialists tend to shy away from bending repeater stocks. As already posted, re-inletting the through bolt hole and refitting the face of the butt stock where it abuts the receiver and/or the trigger guard inletting is the way to go. A good craftsman can change the drop to comb and the cast to suit.

I'm assuming you need the comb raised (most pre-WWII repaeters have a lot of drop). So another option is to simply add a sorb-o-thane cheek pad to the comb. Kick-eez sells self adhesive ones in different thicknesses. I use one on my Perazzi TMX to make it more comfortable when mounted. The pad really does what they claim.

Yes, I did re-inlet the 31. Bending is not an option for Win 12, Rem 870, Rem1100, and the like because of the design of the stock to metal fit. The re-inletting is the easiest way to accomplish the goal of alteration in cast and drop.

Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 218

Thanks for the info, guys. I'll look into having it re-inletted.

Member Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 155 Location: Vermont

Hi Folks,

The best easy fix I have found for a stock that is a too low is the Beretta Gel Tech comb pad. It is soft on the face and goes on and OFF easily. Some of the other comb pads work but when it comes time to take them off plan on 1 1/2 hours of work and much WD-40. I was lucky and had the permanent pads on glossly finished stocks (poly type finish) if the pad had been on an oil finish I think it would have ruined the stock finish. The Beretta pad can be rolled off without any trouble in about 1-2 minutes and it is very soft on the face. It comes in two thicknesses, 1/8" and 1/4". Also it can be removed and used on another gun.

I do gunsmith work and have tried most of the comb pads on the market. I'll never use anything but the Beretta pad again. A search on line will bring them up or go to the Beretta estore. About $26.00 - 30.00.

Ernie