BRNO Dilemma

K

Kevan

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
24   0   0
Location
Lower Mainland B.C.
A recent acquisition, BRNO 22F 8x57 is a really nice shooter but has one small problem....that is the length of pull to the front trigger is a touch over 14" and my comfort zone is about 13 1/4" max.
I cannot shorten the stock because the butt has a lot of fancy carving from the buttplate to about 3 inches in.
It would probably be easier to find a chicken with teeth than locate another stock.
Does anyone have any ideas / suggestions...and don't say grow longer arms cause my Dear Wife already suggested that....:)
 
Can you post a picture of the stock? Your best bet is to buy a replacement stock however your going to get into some serious $.
Might be better to sell the rifle and get something that fits you. Lot of very nice guns out there that you can buy from the proceeds of the sale.
 
Kevan said:
A recent acquisition, BRNO 22F 8x57 is a really nice shooter but has one small problem....that is the length of pull to the front trigger is a touch over 14" and my comfort zone is about 13 1/4" max.
I cannot shorten the stock because the butt has a lot of fancy carving from the buttplate to about 3 inches in.
It would probably be easier to find a chicken with teeth than locate another stock.
Does anyone have any ideas / suggestions...and don't say grow longer arms cause my Dear Wife already suggested that....:)
Click to expand...

Maybe tie a string to the trigger so you can reach it?

If you can't cut the stock down, the only alternative is to replace it and as you have already noted that will not be so easy to find one prebuilt. You could get someone with a stock duplicating machine to make one for you. Richard's Microfit used to make duplicate stocks at a fairly reasonable price, but you have to send your stock to them in the USA so they can copy it. I don't know if they still do it, you would have to call them.
 
Last edited:
If it is a Standard 98 LR action it shouldn't be hard to find another stock for it.
 
It will be small ring action and if you order a semi finished be sure to specify that and the model #. A 22F should have a full stock and about a 20" barrel if I recall correctly. A 22H will have the same short barrel but be a 1/2 stock (fore end). It may not be easy to find a maker with a full length stock pattern but someone may be able to use your stock as a pattern if they have a duplicator. The down side is that the original stock may be marked by the quill used to trace it's contours. There is a gent in Alta (David Henry ???) who has a duplicator and it might be worth discussing with him.

I have never seen a 22F with factory stock carving. Is yours factory or aftermarket carving do you think? Perhaps you can sacrifice some of the carving if it doesn't interfere with a major aspect of it. Try laying a wrap of masking tape around the butt to get an idea of what it will look like shortened to the correct length minus the thickness of the butt plate.

An alternate my be to find a good synthetic stock and switch the style to a half stock but reserve the original stock and metal cap and swivel etc. for retrofitting.

Would really like to see a picture of both sides of the butt if you can post one.
 
I think the action is a small ring Mauser and I have a couple Ram-lines someplace...it would probably look kinda funny since the stock on the gun is full-length...naturally the Ram-lines aren't.
As for selling the gun, I don't think so because without any load work it shoots tighter groups than several much newer guns and this with a 20" barrel.
The scope leaves a bit to be desired, it sits in detachable claw mounts, but its an old German 4x sniper scope with no windage adjustment.
A person could look for a set of those particular mounts/rings but finding some may be next to impossible.
Thanks for the suggestions fellas...much appreciated.
 
Stocker....just read your post and I never have any luck posting pics but for some stupid reason we can send to other people...could I forward to you and have you post them ?
 
This might sound a bit draconian, but since you're considering replacing the stock anyway, might it be possible to refinish the existing stock and sand off the engraving, or is it too deep (or attractive), then shortening it a bit?

I have a similar problem with a Brno Fox in .222. The pistol grip is very "open" and I find I have to reach for the front trigger. It is a very accurate rifle, however.

:) Stuart
 
The double set triggers can be removed and a single trigger installed that sits close to the back of the trigger. This would results in a pull about an inch shorter. Hundreds if not thousands of them have been done over the years... most were done with Jaeger triggers 40 years ago.

You will have to decide (if you want to use it), do you want to save the stock or the double set triggers...
 
I'd ask myself if I want a shooter or a looker. If I wanted a shooter, I'd take chopsaw and cut'er down. If I wanted a looker or both I'd suck back and get a custom stock. I wouldn't get rid of the double triggers though as that is probably the largest character element of the rifle and a very practical and enjoyable feature.

I'd like to see the rifle though, can you pm me and I'll send you my email address and you can ship me some pictures?
 
You also may consider cutting the stock, putting on a recoil pad like a Pachmayr Ruger Red Label Shotgun Pad and do some touch up fitting to it with a belt sander and then cover the whole she-bang with a neoprene cartridge carrier. Easy, cheap, practical, custom fit guaranteed, and looks good as long as you don't peel off the cartridge carrier. This way you can use and enjoy the rifle while you take the next 5 years to find/save up for a replacement stock.
 
guntech said:
The double set triggers can be removed and a single trigger installed that sits close to the back of the trigger. This would results in a pull about an inch shorter. Hundreds if not thousands of them have been done over the years... most were done with Jaeger triggers 40 years ago.

You will have to decide (if you want to use it), do you want to save the stock or the double set triggers...
Click to expand...

Good advice!

I have both, a 22F with double set triggers and a 21H with a single after market Jaeger trigger. I highly recommend the single trigger conversion. Cutting your stock will not help the very long reach to the front trigger, it has to do with he shape of the trigger guard and grip and the distance the front trigger is set ahead of the rear of the guard.

And, if you cut your stock you will ruin the looks of a classic rifle, - there is no guarantee that you will preserve the rifle's shooting accuracy if you re-stock.
I'd strongly recommend that you replace the trigger only. I am doing that with my 22F as soon as I make an appointment with an appropriate gunsmith.
BRNO22Frtclose.jpg

Brno2a.jpg
 
Longwalker said:
...Cutting your stock will not help the very long reach to the front trigger, it has to do with the shape of the trigger guard and grip and the distance the front trigger is set ahead of the rear of the guard. ...
Click to expand...

Exactly my problem as well. What triggers are available/recommended for a Brno? Jaeger as a brand is out of production now, I think.

:) Stuart
 
As an afterthought... even though the front trigger can be pulled to fire the rifle it was really never meant to be used without using the rear trigger first to "set" it... then you simply stretched your finger forward and "touched" it off. A good idea to make a military trigger light and safe, but not practical today.

Just about any adjustable trigger for a 98 action could be fitted. A nice gunsmithing job should include filling the old trigger guard in with a metal piece and milling for the new trigger when the doubles are taken out. Then it looks quite professional.
 
guntech said:
As an afterthought... even though the front trigger can be pulled to fire the rifle it was really never meant to be used without using the rear trigger first to "set" it... then you simply stretched your finger forward and "touched" it off. ...
Click to expand...

True; mine has a horrible pull if not set! Thanks for the info re replacement triggers. I was wondering if the little Brno used a standard trigger.

:) Stuart
 
I put a Blackburn trigger in one of mine, retained the set trigger in another. Pricey, but a very nice trigger. It will require some milling on the interior of the bottom metal to fit the Blackburn and modifying the opening for the trigger to pass through. If you compare the bottom metal to a military or other standard Mauser action you will see what has to be removed to make room for the trigger housing. Filling the narrow slots as Guntech mentioned would be a very nice touch but not essential. Ralf Martini carries Blackburns in his inventory for the Brnos..
It does decrease the length of pull by about the 3/4" you are seeking.
 
Last edited:
Hi Kevan,

I've looked at the pictures you forwarded. The carving is OK, but it is definitely not a factory quality carving, so any loss of value issues are irrelevant. IMO no great shakes is lost by cutting the stock. I know gunrunner100 disagrees, but the clean factory lines are already disturbed, so if it was mine, I'd cut it, throw on a 1" recoil pad, grind it to fit, get the LOP to where it fit me like a glove and shoot the thing like God intended. If you choose a classic looking recoil pad, you can remove most of the carving (not all) and it'll still look good. I wouldn't try sanding out the carving, it is way too deep.
 
Shoshin, I'm glad to hear you got the pics as we kept getting the "unable to send message" crap no matter what we did.
Don't think I'll cut the stock at this time however I found a website that guarantees a herbal medicine that will enable me to grow longer arms and I'm waiting for a reply to see if it works on 63 year olds and what else it will grow longer......:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom