DocWard Posted April 2 Posted April 2 I will be completely honest, I did so because I was getting a little tired of the politics sneaking into even the humor threads. I choose not to respond, more out of respect for the Saloon than anything else. I don't like to create situations with moderators needing to step in, nor do I like creating hard feelings. As I have said to others, "if you don't like something, scroll past it." I found I was doing a lot of scrolling. In the meanwhile, I managed to take care of the Mini-14 stock that I mentioned long ago. Two pictures and a short video. Yes, I forgot to take a before of stock to compare to the after, but I have a hunch the majority of us know what a basic Ruger stock looks like. How I had the rifle before, in a Hogue overmolded stock: After in the original stock after refinishing: A short video that YouTube won't imbed. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/T84yv2-zecE For my first effort trying to refinish something since wood shop in eighth grade, I'm pretty pleased. Pros of the Hogue stock, longer reach of pull, a bit of a recoil pad. Pros of the wooden stock, quicker handling, and looks. I will need to get some grip tape or something to put on the butt plate. I had forgotten how slippery it is. 10 3 Quote
Sedalia Dave Posted April 2 Posted April 2 (edited) Looks really nice Doc. If you want a little longer LOP on the wood stock, You can get an extension from Amazon. Description says 10-22 but it will also fit the wood Mini-14 stock. Also available from Midway USA 10/22 Model 1103 Butt Pad Length of Pull Extension Edited April 2 by Sedalia Dave 2 2 Quote
DocWard Posted April 2 Author Posted April 2 32 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said: Looks really nice Doc. If you want a little longer LOP on the wood stock, You can get an extension from Amazon. Description says 10-22 but it will also fit the wood Mini-14 stock. Also available from Midway USA 10/22 Model 1103 Butt Pad Length of Pull Extension I ordered one, and I didn't care for the looks on the Mini with the wood, and there is certainly no "pad" to it. It is hard plastic of some sort. 1 Quote
Stump Water Posted April 2 Posted April 2 Wood stock is much better. Nice work on the re-finish. I've never owned a Mini-14, but a shooting buddy did... many years ago. They are a lot of fun. They get a lot of bad press for "crude sights and poor accuracy", but I never had a problem hitting whatever I wanted to with it. 1 2 Quote
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted April 2 Posted April 2 If you're into leather work, ya could always make yourself a lace on buttstock cover with a pad. Even ad some material to extend the LOP. A guy has this on ebay. Could be interesting. https://www.ebay.com/itm/226656383345?_skw=buttstock+cover+10-22&itmmeta=01JQVMCXM517ZXKNYYR4DXH58E&hash=item34c5c5f171:g:3hsAAOSwnH9n3Gcx&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1f1hE7jV%2B%2BwRqGi2fsEGaHwQzl08zyWhM7U8kGv5BqtK3UA2hkYIzpXKV710JLwq9ev7ATANncqpjp3TOVyzqrNErDvO1TxeU12lucW%2FyotcV8AD7M%2ByN385NoZulaPTshk6eUKZy2gGDp3aXVPlrIgjjhz%2FebghV%2F0lMb17KJQUBTWvlKa2xCUVkr201DpkvAnubSzjvD2MgewHWbXW5oO6J1RCf%2BgHH%2F3mkgGlASIQuaOv1PY5imI6pJBLFiKI7g%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6Tas_S-ZQ 1 Quote
DocWard Posted April 2 Author Posted April 2 8 minutes ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said: If you're into leather work, ya could always make yourself a lace on buttstock cover with a pad. Even ad some material to extend the LOP. A guy has this on ebay. Could be interesting. I don’t need any more hobbies!!! I could see doing one in OD green canvas sort of like the magazine holders for M1 carbines, but I think leather would clash. It is food for thought, though. 1 1 Quote
Sedalia Dave Posted April 2 Posted April 2 1 hour ago, DocWard said: I ordered one, and I didn't care for the looks on the Mini with the wood, and there is certainly no "pad" to it. It is hard plastic of some sort. It is a really hard rubber. Not sure why they call it a recoil pad as the rubber is so hard that there is ZERO cushioning. I have one on my 10-22 to extend the LOP so that it fits me better. Because it is curved I have modified a few with a bandsaw to act as a filer to make a crescent butt stock into more of a shotgun style. Once covered up with a leather butt stock cover they look fine. Quote
DocWard Posted April 3 Author Posted April 3 6 hours ago, Calamity Kris said: Glad to see you back in these parts. Thanks, it's nice to be seen here. Quote
DocWard Posted April 3 Author Posted April 3 9 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said: It is a really hard rubber. Not sure why they call it a recoil pad as the rubber is so hard that there is ZERO cushioning. I have one on my 10-22 to extend the LOP so that it fits me better. Because it is curved I have modified a few with a bandsaw to act as a filer to make a crescent butt stock into more of a shotgun style. Once covered up with a leather butt stock cover they look fine. I'm going to give it awhile with the shorter stock. It does make it seem to handle faster. The big thing for me is to get out and find some grip tape or something I can cut to fit so it won't want to slide off my shoulder. I like the vintage military look it has, so if I were to do anything I would try to figure out a way to do something with canvas and add some padding inside it. 1 Quote
Pat Riot Posted April 3 Posted April 3 Nice work Doc. What about some clear grip tape on the grip and forend? PS: Glad your back. 1 Quote
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted April 3 Posted April 3 It does look good ~ fine job! By the way... what caliber? I've only shot 'em in .223/5.56, and never found recoil to be an issue - no "padding" required. 1 Quote
DocWard Posted April 3 Author Posted April 3 17 hours ago, Pat Riot said: Nice work Doc. What about some clear grip tape on the grip and forend? PS: Glad your back. Thank you for the kind words! It's really only the buttplate that I have a hard time with. I think if I get that taped, I'll be good. I need to go out here shortly, so I will swing by one or two of the local sporting goods stores that carry firearms and see what I can find. 16 hours ago, Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 said: It does look good ~ fine job! By the way... what caliber? I've only shot 'em in .223/5.56, and never found recoil to be an issue - no "padding" required. Thank you, I appreciate it. I put a bit of work into it. It's .223/5.56mm as well. To clarify, the only reason I would have a canvas cover made (I've only ever sewn on buttons, and then with trepidation), would be to hide something extending the length of pull. As of yet, that's not something I'm looking at. No, recoil is not hateful at all. 3 Quote
Stump Water Posted April 3 Posted April 3 1 hour ago, DocWard said: It's really only the butt plate that I have a hard time with. I think if I get that taped, I'll be good. Remove the butt plate and... Spray-on rubber. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Flex-Seal-Flex-Seal-Mini-2-fl-oz-Black-Aerosol-Spray-Rubberized-Coating/1002303392 1 Quote
DocWard Posted April 4 Author Posted April 4 19 hours ago, Stump Water said: Remove the butt plate and... Spray-on rubber. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Flex-Seal-Flex-Seal-Mini-2-fl-oz-Black-Aerosol-Spray-Rubberized-Coating/1002303392 Not a bad idea, but I broke down and bought a sheet from Midway. I’ll report back when I get it and try it out! 2 1 Quote
Eyesa Horg Posted April 4 Posted April 4 19 hours ago, Stump Water said: Remove the butt plate and... Spray-on rubber. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Flex-Seal-Flex-Seal-Mini-2-fl-oz-Black-Aerosol-Spray-Rubberized-Coating/1002303392 How well does it hold up to rubbing on a shirt or vest? 1 2 Quote
Stump Water Posted April 4 Posted April 4 2 hours ago, Eyesa Horg said: How well does it hold up to rubbing on a shirt or vest? I don't know. I put it on the bottom of a wooden wedge used for a door stop (that gets slid around on a tile floor) and it's doing pretty good after 6 years. 1 1 Quote
Stump Water Posted April 5 Posted April 5 7 hours ago, DocWard said: I broke down and bought a sheet from Midway. Hmm... I have some thin, 8x11, peel & stick felt sheets. Never even occurred to me until you said "sheet". Moleskin would be better though. Used that in my brogans back in my backpacking days (before proper hiking boots were a thing). Quote
DocWard Posted April 5 Author Posted April 5 Just now, Stump Water said: Hmm... I have some thin, 8x11, peel & stick felt sheets. Never even occurred to me until you said "sheet". Moleskin would be better though. Used that in my brogans back in my backpacking days (before proper hiking boots were a thing). Not sure either would hold up well to moisture over time. Since the grip tape is meant for use on firearms, hopefully it will. I'm looking forward to giving it a try. 2 Quote
Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 Posted April 6 Posted April 6 GORGEOUS refinish job! I took a center punch and a ball peen hammer and with light taps, made rows of indents in the metal buttplate ... neatly applied, straight lines, parallel runs, behold! Nonskid! 1 Quote
DocWard Posted April 8 Author Posted April 8 On 4/5/2025 at 8:58 PM, Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 said: GORGEOUS refinish job! I took a center punch and a ball peen hammer and with light taps, made rows of indents in the metal buttplate ... neatly applied, straight lines, parallel runs, behold! Nonskid! Whereas yours is metal, mine is actually plastic. I didn't realize that until the stock slipped out of my hand sometime back as I was removing it from the action and the buttplate broke. Otherwise, I would have considered that. On the positive side, Ruger sent me a new one free of charge. As it is, I got the sheet of Talon grip tape today and cut a piece to size, followed the directions, and it seems to adhere nicely, and definitely non-slip! I had left my phone upstairs, so pics for @Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 will have to wait for tomorrow. I also replaced the fold down rear sight with at military style sight as well. 3 Quote
Yul Lose Posted April 8 Posted April 8 Welcome back and nice job on the stock. What did you use for the finish on the stock? 1 Quote
DocWard Posted April 8 Author Posted April 8 (edited) 12 minutes ago, Yul Lose said: Welcome back and nice job on the stock. What did you use for the finish on the stock? After stripping it with citrus based stripper, I used a steam iron and cotton cloth to get as much stain as possible out, before sanding with 280 grit sandpaper. I then used Minwax wood conditioner before I refinished with Minwax "Gunstock" stain. I then put seven or eight (I lost count) coats of Tru-Oil on it. The first couple of coats I tried buffing with 0000 steel wool, but didn't like the results, so turned to wet sanding with 600 grit sandpaper. I know I have some 400 somewhere, but I couldn't find it and the 600 seemed to do just fine. The last coat was just barely touched with 1000 grit wet. Basically looking for any bumps, dust, etc... that might have gotten into it. A keen eye like yours could probably find the imperfections, but I am extremely happy with it. Edited April 8 by DocWard Typo 4 Quote
Yul Lose Posted April 8 Posted April 8 16 minutes ago, DocWard said: After stripping it with citrus based stripper, I used a steam iron and cotton cloth to get as much stain as possible out, before sanding with 280 grit sandpaper. I then used Minwax wood conditioner before I refinished with Minwax "Gunstock" stain. I then put seven or eight (I lost count) coats of Tru-Oil on it. The first couple of coats I tried buffing with 0000 steel wool, but didn't like the results, so turned to wet sanding with 600 grit sandpaper. I know I have some 400 somewhere, but I couldn't find it and the 600 seemed to do just fine. The last coat was just barely touched with 1000 grit wet. Basically looking for any bumps, dust, etc... that might have gotten into it. A keen eye like yours could probably find the imperfections, but I am extremely happy with it. A lot of work, but well worth it. Very nice. 1 1 Quote
Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 Posted April 8 Posted April 8 Plastic buttplate? ... I'm mentally considering the graceful curve on what used to be my smooth stamped steel buttplate ... somewhere betweeen my ears, Jimmy Durante's voice is declaring, "What a re-vol-tin' development!" Excellent use of that grip tape, your solution is effective, simple, and elegant! I still think that's an absolutely gorgeous refinish job! 1 1 Quote
DocWard Posted April 8 Author Posted April 8 1 hour ago, Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 said: Plastic buttplate? ... I'm mentally considering the graceful curve on what used to be my smooth stamped steel buttplate ... somewhere betweeen my ears, Jimmy Durante's voice is declaring, "What a re-vol-tin' development!" Excellent use of that grip tape, your solution is effective, simple, and elegant! I still think that's an absolutely gorgeous refinish job! I was somewhat surprised myself when the original broke. I think the tape works well. It is actually grippy enough that it is going to take a little getting used to. Almost like coarse sandpaper. I appreciate all the positive feedback. Quote
Pat Riot Posted April 8 Posted April 8 That Talon grip tape should last a long time if you don’t get solvents all over it often. Even if you do, wipe it off quickly then let the gun set a while and any adhesive that softened will come right back to doing its job again. At least that has been my experience. 3 Quote
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted April 8 Posted April 8 13 hours ago, DocWard said: I had left my phone upstairs, so pics for @Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 will have to wait for tomorrow. I also replaced the fold down rear sight with at military style sight as well. Actually Doc, I was directing that more toward Linn Keller's post. I'd like to see what he did. But I always like to see a good wood rifle stock too. The first pics you posted looked good. 1 1 Quote
DocWard Posted April 8 Author Posted April 8 3 hours ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said: Actually Doc, I was directing that more toward Linn Keller's post. I'd like to see what he did. But I always like to see a good wood rifle stock too. The first pics you posted looked good. Thanks! And thanks for clarifying. Quote
Sedalia Dave Posted April 9 Posted April 9 1 hour ago, DocWard said: With grip tape: New rear sight: NICE! 1 1 Quote
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