Replacing the solid rubber recoil pad

[SRWillis]

I'm a new member, but thought I'd share a little project I did on my H12 Color Case Hardened Carbine. I'm not saying if you decide to do it that you have to do it this way, but it worked out for me.

I really like the Big Boy, but one thing I didn't like was the thick recoil pad. I didn't see that Henry offered a thinner buttplate (BP), so I started looking around and that's what brought me here. I saw a couple threads asking about it, but didn't see any solutions here or elsewhere.

I found different ones on eBay. I really liked a S&W one (my initials , but couldn't confirm any dimensions. I found a new Marlin BP, and the seller had factory drawings with dimensions and said Marlin Model 39 was one model it would fit. I have one, so I pulled it out of the safe and it looked like it would work.

Here it is compared to the Henry pad. It's about 5/8" thinner.

[SRWillis]

It doesn't want to let me post more pics with a description in between, so I'll just do separate replies.

The top hole worked perfectly, but the bottom was off a bit, but enough to be doable to drill another hole. The Henry buttstock is counterbored for the screws, so I filed a 1/2" boring bit down to match the Henry counterbore, marked and drilled the lower hole w/an 1/8" bit, then counterbored.

[SRWillis]

The Marlin BP is oversized about 3/16" all around, but is almost perfectly shaped for the Henry stock. I drew around the stock with a pencil and removed it to sand it down. I first tried my Dremmel with a sanding drum. It worked, but it was smelly and I was breathing too much of the particles, so I switched to some 100 sandpaper on a block. That worked better. I got it down to the line, then used 150 to finish.

[SRWillis]

Before I forget, the Henry screws will work. The bottom screw isn't quite flush, so I may try countersinking the hole some more, but it's not bad so maybe not. Also, the outside of the screw heads don't have any finish on them. Maybe it got rubbed off putting it in and out of the Henry pad

Here's a couple pics of the the finished product (edit: took some better pics in natural light).

Having the Marlin brand on it may bother some, but it doesn't me. If it bothers you, you may be able to sand it out. Or, maybe it will bother someone at Henry and they will offer their own at some point

Anyway, hope this helps someone.

[Ernie]

A drum roll please......

[SRWillis]

A drum roll please......

Oh, and I forgot, this was my source: https://www.ebay.com/itm/314409800076

[CT_Shooter]

[rickhem]

Looks great, and a nice little write up too!
I'll bet you can feel the difference shouldering it.

[SRWillis]

Looks great, and a nice little write up too!
I'll bet you can feel the difference shouldering it.

Thanks for the kind words. It does make a difference, but I like a little shorter length of pull anyway, plus less to hang up on stuff.