How do YOU decide how long that new fore-end is going to be? There is a vouge about short ones that I really do not get.

Personally I like my fore-end to be about half the lenght of the barrel. Of course it is vital were the owner want his hand to rest, but it should look good and in harmony too? It seems some want a 6" fore-end even if the LOP is 15" and the barrel is 27"

So what are the "rules" of fore-ends today?

I used to follow the rule half the barrel length minus 1". But anymore they are 9 1/2 - 10 inch forearms period. Unless the customer specifies otherwise.

I start out with about 10" and go from there depending on how it looks with the metalwork. Like everything else its a matter of personal taste but I attempt to achieve what I call "visual balance". Thankfully, our government has yet to dictate to us how long it is to be...at least not yet.

quote:

Personally I like my fore-end to be about half the lenght of the barrel.

We had another thread about this and a formula was given that folks subscribed to.

Maybe someone will post a link to that thread.

I've used half the length of barrel as a guide but now use it asa minimum depending on one's preference for holding the rifle. IMO there is no wrong answer.....just different likes and people.

One of the old books, "Custom Rifles", edited and printed by Ken Warner had a chapter that specified "....slightly more than half the distance from the receiver ring to the end of the barrel..."

It would also depend on the length of the barrel.

The ACGG publication, "Gunmaker" had an article that specified a particular ratio based on barrel length. The article was written by Bob Snapp.

When I decided to shorten the barrel on my Browning 1885, I made a series of drawings with different forend lenghts and barrel lengths. Aesthetically the 1/2 of barrel length looked the best.

I was taught in gunsmithing school that it should be 1/2 the barrel length, but looks as if that rule may be changing.
vapodog---Was it the golden rule, and could it apply to the length of the forend?

Put the metal in the pattern and then "listen to the force Luke." It'll tell you where to cut it off. If it doesn't the rifle has no soul and will have a standard 10" forend

Terry

Kinda like women's skirts; the fashion changes. And like women, not all legs look good enough to be in a short skirt or all stocks tohave a short forearm. I think it depends on the other features and the overall look that's trying to be acheived.

"modern" styled rifles 10-11 1/2". "Classic" styled 8 1/2"-9 1/2"

quote:

Originally posted by TC1:
Put the metal in the pattern and then "listen to the force Luke." It'll tell you where to cut it off. If it doesn't the rifle has no soul and will have a standard 10" forend

Terry

LMFAO - Terry, I will have to remember that next time.

Bill Soverns

quote:

I used to follow the rule half the barrel length minus 1". But anymore they are 9 1/2 - 10 inch forearms period. Unless the customer specifies otherwise.

Bill is right on the mark. I never go over 10" myself.

Depends on style but mostly between 8" and 10". Longer on modern styles and shorter on more classic stocks. I also make some small allowance for barrel length. I never liked the really short fore ends like on some of the british guns.

quote:

We had another thread about this and a formula was given that folks subscribed to.

Maybe someone will post a link to that thread.

I couldn't find the original post, but I think you may be talking about the "golden ratio." Here's a link to a little more info: Wikipedia

Basically divide the length of the barrel by this ratio. The result gives you the length of free barrel, and if you subtract this from the overall length of the barrel you have your forearm length.

This is pretty consistent with all the other advice above.

I've made some sketches using this rule of thumb and it looks pretty nice depending on your preferences. The results will tend towards a more European look versus a classic half stocked rifle.

Just another tool for the toolchest...

quote:

Originally posted by srtrax:
I was taught in gunsmithing school that it should be 1/2 the barrel length, but looks as if that rule may be changing.
vapodog---Was it the golden rule, and could it apply to the length of the forend?

here's the thread

vapodog: That's the one...