**This is a duplicate from my post on the Gunsmithing Forum. I thought this group might provide a quicker response.**

I would like to have someone install an ebony fore-end on my new rifle. I am in Michigan....No I will not try to do it myself !

Any suggestions ???

-George

Since you only going to have to send the stock you could mail it to my gunsmith. He is doing several ebony tips right now and will be doing three for me next week. I can't quote you a price but you could call him 707 7645744. I will tell you the price will be dictated by whether he has to refinish the whole stock or not.
Frank

I am not looking to have the whole stock refinished, just chop that sucker off, and create/install the new tip. Does this make sense, or is there more to it ?

George,
you are missing something, to answer your question.

depending on the smith and how he installs the block, it could cost MORE to have him not have to refinish the stock... it's not cut er off and glue er on...

it's cut stock to correct length
cut ebony slightly long
make it fit PERFECTLY and 90 degree in 3 plans, or even teh "whack it off" customer will complain
dowel and glue the ebony
shape to conform to your stock, this involved files, then sandpaper, then buffing, then inletting... or any combination there off...

it's a PITA to do when you aren't making the stock,

jeffe

See this thread for someone who replaced Bobc's plastic tip on a Whitworth and is doing the same on mine. However, I would imagine you can find someone closer to home.

Jeffe,
Thanks for the reply. I do understand it's not just "whack it off" and there is considerable work in order to really do it right.

I just purchased a CZ 550 in 416R to which I upgraded the wood from CZ and like. Then I did a bunch of tweaking to it (bedding, jeweling, barrel band, shortening of barrel). I thought that if I could have this ebony tip installed for a reasonable cost I would really like to have it done.

I think what you are saying is what I was getting to in a round about way-that in the process of connecting, shaping, etc.. that the original stockwork might be impacted or the process might be more costly as the installer has to work around the current stock without wrecking it or repairing it after/during tip installation?


Do I get it ?

I'll answer for him.

yep.

Terry

It does sound like a neat idea. Got any pics? Your rifle sounds like it's really shaping up.

Terry

John Valicek replaced my plastic tip with ebony without needing to refinish stock. He does great work. Bob

I am going to contact John tomorrow. It seems many on AR like his work.