StraitR
12-15-2017, 11:29 PM
Wanting a shorter LOP on my M4, but not wanting a PG stock (Mesa Urbino) or collapsible with PG, I decided to shorten the OEM field stock. It started out at 14 3/8" LOP, and I finished at 12 7/8". It feels more handy, presents easier, and mounts more naturally that it did. Here is what I came up with.
Pardon the quality on some pics, I was getting what I could get in my limited time.
Original 14 3/8" LOP Field stock.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4573/38371441654_481fff270a_c.jpg
Cut 1 1/2" off stock with a jig saw, then used a belt sander to even it out. I then fabricated a wood insert out of some 5/8" treated white pine.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4543/38199589775_e6ed4e5d26_c.jpg
Here is the final test fit of the wood insert. I then removed it, roughed up inside with 80 grit sandpaper, cleaned surface with alcohol, then reinstalled with JB Weld (KwikWeld) epoxy.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4638/38199589395_285cf45c39_c.jpg
After letting that set, I went back and covered the wood insert with the same JB KwikWeld, using a putty knife to force epoxy into any gaps around the insert. Utilized a spark plug socket to plug hole, wrapped it in nylon painters tape and then sprayed with WD40 to keep epoxy from adhering to the tape/socket.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4554/39080892671_faf1323391_c.jpg
Removed socket after letting the epoxy set up, then trimmed excess around the hole.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4579/39050479822_749c0e1b30_c.jpg
Used hand sander on epoxy and final squaring for flush mounting of Limbsaver grind to fit pad.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4517/39050480032_68bf989274_c.jpg
After the JB Kwikweld set up, I used the provided Limbsaver template to mark holes, then drilled 1/8" pilot holes. Screwed in the recoil pad and took it back to the belt sander to remove as much excess material as I could (used a size small Limbsaver). I read WD-40 helps when grinding down these pads, and that proved to be true. After I got it as close I could comfortably get on the belt sander, I moved on to hand sanding. For the whole process, I had the stock wrapped in copious amounts of regular blue painters tape (paper).
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4685/38199589785_062fdd1100_c.jpg
It was date night for the wife and I, so I had to wrap it up before finishing. Still have a little more hand sanding that I'll finish up tomorrow and get some better pics. Also installed a AVA Tactical light/sling mount and SF G2something.
New 12 7/8" LOP
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4549/38199719965_25e4dd778e_c.jpg
Pardon the quality on some pics, I was getting what I could get in my limited time.
Original 14 3/8" LOP Field stock.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4573/38371441654_481fff270a_c.jpg
Cut 1 1/2" off stock with a jig saw, then used a belt sander to even it out. I then fabricated a wood insert out of some 5/8" treated white pine.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4543/38199589775_e6ed4e5d26_c.jpg
Here is the final test fit of the wood insert. I then removed it, roughed up inside with 80 grit sandpaper, cleaned surface with alcohol, then reinstalled with JB Weld (KwikWeld) epoxy.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4638/38199589395_285cf45c39_c.jpg
After letting that set, I went back and covered the wood insert with the same JB KwikWeld, using a putty knife to force epoxy into any gaps around the insert. Utilized a spark plug socket to plug hole, wrapped it in nylon painters tape and then sprayed with WD40 to keep epoxy from adhering to the tape/socket.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4554/39080892671_faf1323391_c.jpg
Removed socket after letting the epoxy set up, then trimmed excess around the hole.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4579/39050479822_749c0e1b30_c.jpg
Used hand sander on epoxy and final squaring for flush mounting of Limbsaver grind to fit pad.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4517/39050480032_68bf989274_c.jpg
After the JB Kwikweld set up, I used the provided Limbsaver template to mark holes, then drilled 1/8" pilot holes. Screwed in the recoil pad and took it back to the belt sander to remove as much excess material as I could (used a size small Limbsaver). I read WD-40 helps when grinding down these pads, and that proved to be true. After I got it as close I could comfortably get on the belt sander, I moved on to hand sanding. For the whole process, I had the stock wrapped in copious amounts of regular blue painters tape (paper).
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4685/38199589785_062fdd1100_c.jpg
It was date night for the wife and I, so I had to wrap it up before finishing. Still have a little more hand sanding that I'll finish up tomorrow and get some better pics. Also installed a AVA Tactical light/sling mount and SF G2something.
New 12 7/8" LOP
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4549/38199719965_25e4dd778e_c.jpg