Replacing rubber butt pad with something else

[Retiredguns]

Forgive me if this has been covered, but I am wondering if there is a direct replacement for the rubber pad on my .357 BB steel. Nothing wrong with it, but it certainly isn't needed. I'd really like to have just a black, metal or composite butt pad. I'm sure I could get one, but would probably have to "size" it down. Any ideas?

Steve

[GunnyGene]

You could make one of wood if you have the tools. I'd suggest about a 1/2" or more thick.

[markiver54]

Just curious, what bothers you about the stock one? I have the same rifle.

[Retiredguns]

Just curious, what bothers you about the stock one? I have the same rifle.

It would be for looks as there is nothing wrong with it. It's just weird that they have it on pistol caliber rifles yet a metal plate on a .45-70 and other Henry Brassers. I used to have an old Marlin .30-30 that could have used the rubber pad!

[wolfman]

Have looked into the same thing, but found no ready made replacement options. There are grind-to-fit options of course, and it may be possible to grind down the factory pad. It's an overmolded arrangement, so might be limited in how much you can remove. Not aware of any thinner pads or plates that are a good fit to Henry's stock & screw pattern.

Nothing really wrong with the factory pad, actually like how the contour feels in the shoulder. It looks fine, & is well fit to the wood. For me, it's the added length of pull that's a bit problematic. About 1/2" longer than optimal, being ~5'-8" & barrel chested. Not unmanageable in a t-shirt or light sweatshirt, but really notice it with heavier clothing.

Lots of plastic & composite plaques at work, have thought about repurposing one of the 6x6x1/4" ones after we're finished with it. Cut slightly oversized on the bandsaw, then file & sand to fit. Drill & countersink the screw holes. Might need shorter screws. Might be possible to add a bit of contour on the outer side with a drum sander.

[leverjc]

You would have to fit it but Bob"s Gun Shop has several buttstock plates to choose from.

[Motocrash]

Not a fan either. In fact, I reg'd here for that very reason. We are used to guns with a shorter LOP and the pad, on top of being overkill for a 38/357, makes the stock too long and grippy. Will probably drop mine off at a local gunsmith to have it lopped off a bit and have a curved plastic one added.

[MuddyWaters62]

I was thinking, could you just get the Youth buttstock instead?

Muddy Waters68

[JEBar]

we had a gunsmith replace the recoil pad on our Henry 45-70 .... he didn't find a direct retrofit and did have to cut it down

[Retiredguns]

Thanks for the replies. I will find something and do some experimenting. As long as I have the original, I can always put it back on.

[Motocrash]

I'm not too thrilled about cutting up the original, I think just replacing the big, thick rubber pad with a curved plastic one should do the trick. That way, if I ever sold it, I could put the pad back on. I think with a thin plastic plate it should make the stock a better fit for us. I thought about buying a new stock and having it customized, still might. Just a shame that Henry doesn't make (or have a recommendation for) an alternative. I can't imagine that everyone who buys one of these needs (or wants) the big thick rubber pad. I don't even have one this thick on my 18.5" 12 ga Mossberg.

[greywolf224]

Absolutely agree that the rubber butt plate is way overkill for 357 caliber rifle. The only rifle I have a rubber plate on is my old marlin 444.
With that said I was wondering if it’s possible to replace my steel big boy stock (H012) with the stock from my brass big boy classic (H006) Which has the brass butt plate. I tend to like the brass accents on the blue steel

[markiver54]

Other than a LOP issue, I don't understand what the issue is with the rubber butt plate. If it is an asthetic thing, then of course, to each their own. I certainly don't mind it on mine.
Why not just buy the "Big Boy Classic"? (H006M). Sure, it costs a little more, but, just sayn'

[Vaquero]

I've never understood why they find it necessary for the pad on pistol calibers
And put steel on the freakin rifle calibers.
Of All the rifles I own, the 30-06 would be the one I would want one on.
After a dozen or so rds. at the range I'm ready to try something else.
My Rossi 357 and 45 colt rifles have steel butt plates, and the Marlin Cowboy 45 colt also has the steel one.
Hell, Even Henry puts the steel plates on the BBB's.
Things to make ya say hum.

RP

[markiver54]

I've never understood why they find it necessary for the pad on pistol calibers
And put steel on the freakin rifle calibers.
Of All the rifles I own, the 30-06 would be the one I would want one on.
After a dozen or so rds. at the range I'm ready to try something else.
My Rossi 357 and 45 colt rifles have steel butt plates, and the Marlin Cowboy 45 colt also has the steel one.
Hell, Even Henry puts the steel plates on the BBB's.
Things to make ya say hum.

RP

I'm just sayn', if it's there, it certainly isn't hurting anything; that's all.

[Vaquero]

I agree Mark, but just don't get it.
The only other rifle that I own that came factory with a padded butt is the Marlin 444P.
For those not familiar it's a 18.5" ported barreled 444.
Not sure why they decided to do that, as the full length barreled ones don't have one.
But it does cushion those stout loads for sure.
My only BBS is a 41 mag. model, Marlin even made some 41 mags in their 1894 model with a steel plate.
It doesn't bother Me, in the least, like the OP, just don't know the reasoning.

RP

[markiver54]

Maybe Henry figured it would help with sales for those who might appreciate having it, yet for those who don't need it, no biggie. Possibly a wider market appeal...dunno.

[leverjc]

I have put about 100 rounds through my Uberti 94 in 30-30 and have started to appreciate how a curved steel buttplate enhances off hand shooting. One of my summer projects is going to be fitting a steel curved buttplate on a BBS in 357. I am going to refinish the stock on this rifle anyway because I think it would look better with an oil finish than the one that came with it so I will not have to worry about scratching the stock when fitting it. The rifle comes to my shoulder in the same spot every time so I can put the sights on target quicker than I would with rifles with a flat buttstock. I am thinking that putting a curved buttplate on a handy little rifle would make it handle even better.

[greywolf224]

I don’t have a brass plated butt stock to measure or compare to. But are the overall length of both the rubber butt stock and curved brass plated stocks the same?

[markiver54]

I don’t have a brass plated butt stock to measure or compare to. But are the overall length of both the rubber butt stock and curved brass plated stocks the same?

The LOP on both are the same at 14". However, the rubber butt pad is thicker, so your LOP will change some if it is removed.