doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Try gun stocks

The current market anatomical stocks are about as simple as the concept can get and are best as I can tell adjustable in a range exceeding human needs. Waaaaay exceeding.

Or is the purpose of the project just to copy some antique design rather than take the concept and innovate?

It is possible, the student wants to create a tool for his use later in a career of stockmaking. It is my opinion that by creating this tool he will come to a better understanding of just why and how stock design may be adapted to individuals. There is nothing more instructive than figuring out why and how to do something. Yes, the provided information shows how to do it and someone already figured out the hard part. The question as I understand it is: How many different ways are there to make a successful try gun for the stockmaker to use? The members of this board have graciously provided more than one way to "skin the cat".

Buying a ready to use product can be useful...IF you already own a gun that the stock may be attached to....AND you have the money to do so. Most of the students that I have met in Mark II's charge are not financially set enough to purchase such a tool ready made. Therefore "sweat equity" is the best they can afford.

Drew's excellent link to Jack Fanning and one of his try guns shows probably an L.C. Smith. Fanning also used a Parker try gun pictured in posts by Patrick Lein.

Thank you everyone for your input.
I plan on using it in my future Gunsmithing career, and will most definitely learn more about stock fitting by building the try gun myself.
Thanks again

Heath Jamison,
First of all may I congratulate you on your enthusiasm .
Remember you need TWO try guns ! O/U & SxS.
In reality you may well be able to manage all your gunfitting with a gun that has an adjustable comb and the ability to lengthen the stock from about 13" LoP to 16" this fitted with a Jones Pad adjuster ( a luxury item maybe)should cope with all scenario's .
It may be far better to spend your study time learning to understand the intracies of stock fit . Pitch and grip length and radius seem not to be understood.
If you want a MACHINING EXERCISE copy the Holland & Holland try guns with the aluminium machined multiple adjustable angle pistol grip . OR machine a pistol grip with a lockable spherical joint at the wrist of the stock.

No matter what design is decided upon it will only fit ONE model of gun. The TSK/Evocomp style has all the adjusto goodies attached to an interchangeable grip that is available for a number of gun types. That may be a methodology worth pursuing if the try stock is to be an actual tool. Give it some versatility.

Thanks for chiming in Heath! I thought it might be you. Will be back in IA teaching again this year. Hope you stop by or take the class! Great to have seen you in January at DSC.

The original Lancaster Try Gun patent is sitting here next to me. I can try to photograph the drawings. The old paper has deep creases, and can be tough to photograph well

A pane of glass and indirect lighting can make that lots easier.