I'm new to the world of Double Rifles, and I just bought a Sabatti in 500 NE. It's awesome, but the length of pull is too long at 15.5 in. I am 5'5" and my L.O.P. is a little over 12in. Would it be feasible to have a stock made with a good recoil pad and mercury tube that would fit my tiny arms (and budget)and not be too weak or lightweight? Any guesses at a price for such a stock? Thanks for your help.
- Ryan

Hey Ryan, welcome to AR. Fit is pretty important on a DR, more like a shotgun than a scoped rifle. If you intend to keep the Sabatti, you could consider having the stock cut to fit, a Kick-Eze or similar pad put on, and the gun weighted up to 11 1/2-12 lbs. I would find a shop that caters to competitive shotgun shooters. They'd know more about proper gun fitting than a usual gun shop.

Thanks Biebs. I was thinking the same thing, but I was concerned that cutting the stock that short would cut into the cheekpiece, needing it to be reworked as well. With all of that work, would it be more cost-effective to just have a new stock made, and will that short of a stock be strong enough for the heavy recoil of that caliber?

Are you sure about your LOP? 12" sounds real short. The LOP for a double rifle is on avg about 1" longer than most people have for a bolt rifle. Avg double rifle stock is between 14 1/2 to 15"
If you cut the org stock to 12" over the pad you will have a gun that will be very hard to resell if you want to upgrade latter. Having a new stock made will make the gun easier to sell latter with the org stock uncut but the cost may surprise you, it will not be inexpensive.
I would ask EAA or Cabelas if they order you a 2nd factory stock.
Before I did anything I would confirm your LOP of 12". If you can not find some one to measure you before and you can make it to DSC or SCI next January come see me at the Verney-Carron booth and I will have you measured there

I agree with Kebco. I am 5' 6" and my LOP (at least IMHO) is about 14" to 14 1/2 at least that is the LOP on my doubles, and they shoulder just fine. One of my doubles was over 15 " and I did have it cut down. All good advice above.
Peter.

Ken hit the nail on the head! 12" is mighty short and you should try some factory SXS shotguns to see how they fit you. If your LOP is 12" for a bolt gun then the double would be about 1 inch longer as Ken says. I would try and get a new stock from Cabelas and it shouldn't be a problem with it fitting the gun. One simple stock bolt holds them on and you could cut a little at a time until you get the LOP right for you. If you sell the gun later you would have the original stock to put back on it. I bet a new stock would be much cheaper than having one made.

Thank you everyone. I appreciate the feedback. I'm going to take your advice and get myself measured correctly and call Cabela's about another factory stock. I did, however, find one of my grandfather's Stoeger 12 ga. coach guns. It fits me perfectly, and the length of pull over the pad is 13 3/4 in.(front trigger to end of recoil pad). It should be a starting point. Does anyone know if the average gunsmith could cut the stock, weight it, and install a recoil pad, or do I need to find a specialist?

13 3/4" is still "short" however a lot closer to avg than 12". Take the Stoger out and shoot it, see how you feel after you shoot it. You can also try putting a spacer in the Stoger and see how it feels at 14 or even 14 1/4". If you can make it work at 14 or 14 1/4 then cut your org stock and use a 1/2" pad....if you can use a gun at 14 with a 1/2" pad some one can always latter replace the 1/2" pad with a 1" pad latter and gain 1/2 on the LOP. A gun with a 14 1/2" to 14 3/4" lop will be a lot easier to sell latter.

Buy a rubber slip on recoil pad which is a 1/2" then use 1/4" plywood and make some spacers to fit inside the rubber pad one spacer at a time till you find the right size

Thanks Kebco. Those are some great ideas. I have shot the Stoeger more times than I can count, and (knock on wood) I havent't missed with it yet. It's a fun little gun. As far as the Sabatti, I don't plan on ever selling it(my wife might kill me if I ever buy another), but plan to pass it on to my kids a long time from now. Will a 1/2 in. recoil pad be enough, or should I go for one of the thicker magnum-type ones? Will it also be possible to add enough weight to the stock to get it to 11-12 lbs, as its only at 9.5 right now (uncut)?

quote:

As far as the Sabatti, I don't plan on ever selling it(my wife might kill me if I ever buy another), but plan to pass it on to my kids a long time from now.?

Never say never, your taste may change. After you play with the Sabatti for awhile you very well might want to step up to a higher quality gun down the road or just add another. DR's are additive.

quote:

Will a 1/2 in. recoil pad be enough, or should I go for one of the thicker magnum-type ones? ?

A high quality 1/2" pad is fine, you will never bottom it out under recoil.

quote:

Will it also be possible to add enough weight to the stock to get it to 11-12 lbs, as its only at 9.5 right now ?

You will have to pull the factory pad off and look how much room you have between the through bolt hole and the edge of the stock.

quote:

Originally posted by Kebco:

quote:

As far as the Sabatti, I don't plan on ever selling it but plan to pass it on to my kids a long time from now.?

Never say never, your taste may change. After you play with the Sabatti for awhile you very well might want to step up to a higher quality gun down the road or just add another. DR's are additive.

Ken, I remember having that exact conversation with you this year at both DSC and SCI. Word for word except insert "Merkel" for "Sabatti". Now here we are at the end of the summer and you have my Merkel in your store and I have a VC 577NE in my safe, (well ... actually, I've been sleeping with it! Is that OK or strange?).

Words of wisdom!!

quote:

well ... actually, I've been sleeping with it! Is that OK or strange?

TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!!!!!! :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:

quote:

well ... actually, I've been sleeping with it! Is that OK or strange?

TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!!!!!! :-)

Doesn't everybody????

I will admit that I would not turn up my nose at a higher quality double. However, my wife is one of the best penny-pinchers around, and just getting this Sabatti was a hassel of monumental propotions. These rifles are all beautiful and I can see why they are addicting. I can't stop talking about (or looking at) mine. I could only imagine how it would be with a better one. Kebco is right, I shouldn't say never. But, being a pessimist, I'm going to pretend that the Sabatti is a life-long commitment and then be pleasently surprised if I'm proven wrong Thanks again for all of the input.

quote:

Originally posted by 500NitrEx:
But, being a pessimist, I'm going to pretend that the Sabatti is a life-long commitment and then be pleasently surprised if I'm proven wrong Thanks again for all of the input.

This is definately your best option. Mine fills the (theoretical ) hole in my hunting rifle battery and is serving me well. Best part is that it did NOT cost a fortune and I don't mind taking it with me on my walks, 4 wheeler rides, etc. since I don't worry about getting a few scuffs or dings on it.

Far be it from me to meddle with your domestic tranquility, but you may be able to get your wife to see these things as money tied up, not spent.
A good double bought at a decent price won't lose you money. Don't count on making any, that may or may not happen, but you shouldn't lose a cent when it comes time to trade or sell.

Sorry to hijack the thread, enjoy the Sabatti, and I'll be interested to see what a spare factory stock will cost you. I'm 6'3", and I got measured at the VC booth in Dallas last year for the Bradshaw rifle I have on order. My LOP came in at 15 1/8". I sure wish some of the nice doubles I see for sale weren't cut so short. Yours will sell much more easily with a spare stock of longer dimension.

OK everyone, just a little update. I found a local gunsmith with awesome reviews. He recommended only reducing the overall L.O.P. by a quater inch, a kick-eez recoild pad, and a mercury tube recoil reducer. I decided to go for it, and one week and $200 later, the rifle looks great. It now balances right behind the forearm, weighs a little more, and shoulders perfectly. Pictures to follow.

So what is the new LOP ?

I'm slightly computer stupid, and can't figure out how to post pictures. Any help is appreciated.


Ken, the new L.O.P. is just shy of 15 inches (about 14 7/8"). I guess it's a good thing that I had someone measure me properly, instead of trying it all myself. When I questioned the gunsmith about it, he said that the LOP on the rifle should be longer than on the shotgun due to the recoil. Also, I have little girly hands, so three finger widths (nose to thumb) for me is more like one and a half for everyone else. Oh well, it fits better, is better balanced, and looks good.

Pics to follow, I promise (hopefully)

500, see my post in the thread on posting pictures on the Forum Suggestions For the Moderator forum.
Peter.

Have you shot it yet? What does it weigh now?

Lots of factors have a effect on LOP, Your neck length, shape of your head, length of arms, size of your hands, width of your chest, size of your biceps, well you get the picture.

Happy for you that you did not chop the stock to a 12" LOP without doing some checking. Otherwise you might be looking for a 3" spacer!
Congrats and let us know how it feels under recoil.

Before

After

Thank you Peter, looks like it worked.

Ken, thank you as well for tolerating my ignorance. I found several different ways to measure LOP (as I'm sure you can see), so I'm glad that I asked. I haven't shot it yet, but am dying to do so. It weighs in at about 10 lbs now. Will keep you updated.

- Ryan

My preferred LOP for BA rifles is 13.5 to 13.75 depending on maker and have found 14 to 14.25 to be my LOP on both of my doubles

Butch, you're using rifles on Buffalo now? No more "Sleeper Hold" or "Half-Nelson" ? :-)

Ryan, happy to help! Keep us posted on the gun.
Peter.

Alright everyone, I finally shot it. Still kicks like a mule, but not painfully so anymore. I shot six rounds (all I had left for now) and my shoulder wasn't really sore. I'm really excited about it. I think my money was well spent, and thank you again for all of your help.

-Ryan