Not long ago MSP Ret (Andy) was on a thread describing how to make a Monte Carlo stock into a straight cheek piece (non Monte Carlo) stock.
It triggered a thought for me... :idea:
I have a 357 mag barrel on a Topper frame, which has had (until today) a Topper shotgun style pistol grip stock, and a newer, Mannlicher forend.
This is what it looked like:
It looks good, but I really wanted a straight grip stock, which I think looks better with the Mannlicher. Since I also have a 357max (original) with a straight grip laminated stock, I decided I'd put the straight lam stock on with the mannlicher forend, just to see what it might look like
Not bad, but there is definitely a visual issue with the lam butt, and the pallet wood mannlicher... so I knew I wasn't going to be happy until I had a straight grip butt to go with the mannlicher! And I did not see any (other than laminated or youth) straight stocks listed in the NEF Price list.
That is when I contacted Andy. I PM'd him with a question whether he thought it possible to make a pistol grip stock into a straight grip stock, and if so would he do it for me. I live in a rather small apartment and have nothing but hand tools and a patient wife, so I wasn't able to do such a mod myself.
Well being the kind of guy he is, he told me to send him a stock and he'd see what he could do. He had access to some good professional saws because of some work he is having done at his place, so he told me to send it quickly.. I did.
I got the stock back today and I was very pleased indeed. I immediately put it on the .357. Here's what it looks like now Notice how well he matched the color of the butt to the color of the forend.
Below are the original H&R 357 Max (top) with the straight laminated stock and the 357 with "Andy's" stock and mannlicher forend (bottom). I think they look great together.
Just wanted to acknowledge Andy and thank him for bringing a little more smile to my face
Cheers :toast: to Andy who is really quite handi... :roll: (sorry I couldn't resist)
Thanks a bunch for your help.
Kerry