Replacement forearm and stock for 12g USH?

[Rangeball]

I'm in the process of getting a smokeless ML barrel from SMI for my 12g USH frame.  SMI uses the standard H&R 12g taper, and using my current camo laminate forearm there will likely be a big gap.  In case I find it's fugly, I've been considering my alternatives.

H&R will not sell me an un-routed camo forearm.  They will sell me a forearm for the 20g USH, which should produce a smaller gap, but will this forearm fit my 12g frame?  Customer service is pretty sketchy.

Are all the H&R rifle/shotgun frames the same size and just different hardness?  If I buy a new laminate stock (the cinnamon sure looks nice) and forearm that's sized for a rifle barrel, would I be able to router it out to fit the new SMI barrel and have it fit my 12g USH frame?

Thanks

[quickdtoo]

The outside dimensions of the 12ga USH frame are the same and a standard forend will work with it, but not the barrel as you know is much bigger. The difference is the barrel channel in the frame, the USH barrel is ~.100" larger at 1.2", a standard barrel is 1.1" at the barrel swell. If SMI doesn't make the barrel swell the same size, it's not going to fit very well and will be unsupported on the sides. But if they make the barrel to the same contour as a standard barrel, a regular forend will work fine, the USH uses the same forend spacer. Depending on how they taper down from the barrel swell, you may have to relieve the wood some there.

Tim

[Rangeball]

Thanks Tim.

I am not at all opposed to modifying the standard forearm barrel channel, as long as the forearm will fit my USH frame which apparently it will.

I also just received input from a guy who had SMI build him a barrel that purchased a .243 forearm and stock from the classifieds here, just wasn't sure what action it would fit.  He had to relieve the channel, but said it was an easy DIY, and with access to a full shop of wood working tools, doesn't scare me one bit.

Any idea how pricey a cinnamon laminate stock and forearm set are new from H&R?  I don't think prices are listed on the website, and last time I called CS I was on hold for over 20 minutes before getting a human

Thanks again.

[quickdtoo]

$69 for the butt and $33 for the forend, you can also get them from Brownell's, forends may be out of stock tho.

Tim

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/schematics/schemmfg.aspx?schemid=676&m=6&mn=H&model=SB2+Handi-Rifle%2fH%26R+Ultra+

[Rangeball]

Thanks again Tim

I looked into what gunstocks inc offers, and really like the gray laminate.  Fitting and finishing don't scare me.  However it looks like the forearm doesn't come with the metal piece  that attaches it to the action.  Do you know if this is true?  Is this part available somewhere?  I looked at the page you linked above, doesn't look like they have it.

[quickdtoo]

The forend spacer is plastic like the trigger guard, it's available from H&R, Brownell's and Numrich. 

Tim

[Rangeball]

Thanks

Any idea how close the stocks from gunstocks inc are to fitting?  Much sanding/shaping need done to fit to the receiver?

Also, in another post where you were discussing using the USH as a platform for a rifle project, you decided against it and one of the reasons was "the firing pin issue".  What specific issue is this, if you don't mind?

[quickdtoo]

The firing pin on shotguns is much bigger including the hole in the breech face which may cause primer issues with high pressure chamberings, see the warning in the FAQs and Help sticky on what happen when a 223 Rem was used on a shotgun frame, use control F to search for Can I put a rifle barrel on a shotgun frame?

Tim

[Rangeball]

Fantastic... Thanks a ton