16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 691

For whatever reason Bud's had this for sale for a little over $1500.00, they are now a bit over $1700.00. I looked and looked for a 16ga 525, but they are scarce. I need the very tight grip curve due to the issue with my hand/wrist.

So, just as I always do, if I can't find it, I build it. I acquired this 16ga Citori Hunter Grade 1 and got a 525 stock. I do have to do a little fitting as you can see, but I have done that in the past with my single shot rifles, no biggie.

Once I am done, it will fit as if it was made for it. I may have to deepen the tang's slots just a tad, and will Acraglas where the receiver bottoms out in the stock. That bottoming out spot is what takes the recoil, not the sides.

Eventually I will acquire the matching schnabel fore end, and put an oil finish on them, I have a replication of the old Winchester Red formula that will look really good over the existing color. An alternative is MinWax has a wipe on poly Satin finish that might duplicate the existing fore end.

Always great to see these type of projects, it’s great you have the skills to make the gun work for you.

Looks like a good way to beat the summertime blues and get ready for fall…

Keep us posted!

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 691

Been a slight change of direction. MK (my better half, the boss lady) bought me a White Lightning that we found used at Jaquas, didn't look as if it was shot, or shot much as a reward for not dying on her. Cabelas also had a Hunter Grade 2 on clearance for a very significant savings. As guns are my one and only bad habit (well maybe the Corvette is a bad habit also), we also got the Grade 2 (we were able to financially get these this year, a 1 time happenstance).

All 16 gauge guns of course !!!!

So here are pictures of what is in progress. The 525 stocks are being fitted to the Grade 2 and the White Lightning. MK likes the blue finish so I am fitting the open grip White Lightning stock to the blued Grade 1 and will cut the stock of course. I do have to up-finish the fore arm to match the bettter finished White Lightning stock.

Then I have acquired some red recoil pads to go on them.

3rd picture is the 525 stock finish matched to the existing White Lightning fore arm. It is a combination of an oil that I have that reproduces the old Winchester red with Tru-oil over the top.

4th picture is where the stock being fitted to the grade 2 receiver is at. I am waiting on a new inletting scraper to come from Pennsylvania. When opening up the inletteting for the tangs, it is more precise to scrape on a pulling stroke than pushing on a chisel type cutter, which for me (partially because of the issue with my hand) tends to dig in want to cut more than intended.

I am at the point of just shaving off little bits to get the inletting tight as it should be.

I have found out that el cheapo bright red lipstick works great for inletting. I have some inletting black, but I an now preferring the red color for being easy to see.

Member Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 120 Location: FL

drcook I sent you a PM...

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 691

This is the White Lightning receiver that I am fitting the oil finished 525 stock above to.

I am not going to do as fancy a job on the Grade 2 stock as it is going to be a hunting gun.