Choice of Recoil Pad

[South Pender]

I have a high-grade rifle in excellent condition on which I'd like to change the recoil pad. It currently has an ugly European Wegu ventilated pad. I'd like to replace this with a red non-ventilated pad to simulate those on the English best rifles of the past. I want to make sure it won't deform and go out-of-shape when standing the rifle on its butt on a hard surface over long periods of time (as some pads do).

The most obvious choice appearance-wise at the moment seems to be the Pachmayr Decelerator Old English pad, but I'd be interested in knowing how well they retain their shape when the gun is stored over time on its butt against a hard surface. The original Silvers pads were/are very hard, with no give, but would undoubtedly keep their shape over time. New England Custom Guns have one as well that might work.

What would you all recommend for a pad that will look good, but most importantly, won't deform and lose its shape over time?

 

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Not sure if there are any pads that keep their shape over time.
Best way to store is horizonal so that their isn't any weight on the butt pad.

Probably the only other one would be a hard rubber pad?

 

[South Pender]

Best way to store is horizonal so that their isn't any weight on the butt pad.

Yes, but not possible in my gun safe.

 

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Yes, but not possible in my gun safe.

Maybe muzzle down?

 

[bearhunter]

Maybe muzzle down?

Muzzle down is a very good way to store firearms with soft or even hard butt pads.

I do it with my firearms but make sure the bottom of the safe has expanded polypropylene about an inch thick on the bottom for the muzzles to rest on.

One fellow I know uses Neoprene stoppers, the type that are screwed down to the floor to stop doors from swinging against a wall. He uses two sided tape to hold them to floor of the safe. They have an opening on the top, about 1/2cm deep and 2cm diameter to hold the muzzle.

I think he getst them at Dollarama or one of those places.

You shouldn't trust that soft cloth most come with and I wouldn't use carpet scraps, which can hide abrasives and hold moisture.

 

[guntech]

The Pachmayr Decelerator was my choice of pad for 40 years. It stood up better than any other 'soft' pad. I preferred to epoxy them on and grind to fit.

Storing guns muzzle down on an oily cloth is the best way...

 

[kamlooky]

The Pachmayr Decelerator was my choice of pad for 40 years. It stood up better than any other 'soft' pad. I preferred to epoxy them on and grind to fit.

Storing guns muzzle down on an oily cloth is the best way...

Yes

 

[Canuck65]

Once you change it, store it so that the weight of the rifle isn’t sitting on the heel. Storing it bore-down will also prevent oil from running into your stock and ruining it. There are safe ways to do this that won’t damage the crown.