doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Re-inletting to lower comb height

I've got a Rizzini Aurum Classic (i.e., no side plates on recvr) with a comb that's 3/16" to 1/4" too high for me. I've heard from a number of sources that having a stock bent is an iffy proposition with a number of potential pitfalls, so, as an alternative I'm considering having the head re-inletted in order to increase the DAC. Is this a realistic option for this particular gun. Rich Cole lists this service on his website; would you guys recommend him for this job. Are there any potential problems in having it done.

Any sound advice or suggestions will be much appreciated.

I have used Cole's to restock a Beretta and was very happy with the work, but I don't have any experience with the inletting process. I would expect him to be candid about any potential issues, though.

Hi:

A chap that I met at the club had the drop increased by refitting the head of the stock to the gun. This was done by the local "gunsmith" and it took about 15 minutes and cost $15.00. The owner waited for the work to be done and told me that all that was done was the angle of the head was changed. This was done by taking very light cuts on the 'cheeks" with a chisel until the drop was correct. The owner was very satisfied!

Since then,I have wondered if others may have changed the drop of a stock via this method! If so, what were the results?
It sounds better than bending a stock!

Comments?

Good shooting,

Leomat

Lowering your drop can be achieved this way, but IMHO its better left to semi autos and pump guns and not doubles. You see some new semi autos come with stock head shim kits to change the angle the wood mates up against the receiver. If the wood to metal fit is any good to start, I guarantee you will have either a low or high spot after adjusting the inletting enough to achieve a change in drop. Simply taking the comb down with a rasp, file, plane, or what-have you, and then refinishing it all or blending in the existing finish is going to give you your desired drop and not bugger up the inletting.

I can change drop 1/2 inch and cast 1/4 inch on a K-80 without any problem. You must have a "clean" tang to do this. A Perrazzi does not work because of it's tang area desaign. Browning and others without a straight mating face of wood to metal are much more difficult. I always glass bed the action after making the changes.
bill

With re inletting or re heading up you can move most stock bolted OU stocks about a 1/4 " without problem .But that amount is only at the heel. You will get a little at the comb but only a 1/16".
This method is not suitable for guns with side plates or with wide straps/trigger plates like Perazzi,Kemen,etc.

While it is true there are potential pitfalls to stock bending, the same can be said for just about any gunsmithing operation, and I think the pitfalls of stock bending get overblown. A good stock bender knows whether and how much he can bend a stock, and a stock in the right hands is safe.

I have had 5 stocks bent. The first bend job I had done was at Griffin & Howe, and I wasn't satisfied. I've since found another gunsmith/stock-bender who does great work. I wouldn't hesitate to bend my next gun that needs it as long as my gunsmith says it is okay to do so.

I'd say it is just as safe bending the stock 1/4" as it is to have it re-inletted.

--shinbone

Thanks, guys. I've emailed a couple of shops but haven't yet contacted Mike Orlen, whom a number of you spoke well of with regard to bending in another recent thread. Does anyone know what the easiest way to contact him would be? It doesn't sound like he all that fond of email messages.

Try calling him at 413-256-1630. You might go over to Shotgun World, drop down to "Gunsmithing" where he is the moderator. Click on his sticky, which is the second listing, and you'll see his ad.