Custom-built Top-folding Shotgun Stock?

[MiltonBradly]

I want the long part of the stock to be upside down compared with the SPAS, so that when it's extended, it'll be a |_| shape, with the cross-members at the bottom instead of the top.

Sounds like it might be a facial meat grinder when you fire it... I'd plan on some sort of padding/flat surface to use as a cheek rest, perhaps a flip up/over plate that is extended once the stock is folded out.

The first time I ever fired a shotgun was a ~18" Rem 870 with the typical folding metal over-the-top stock... I put about 5 rounds down range and then switched over to the trap range, after ~10 rounds I had to switch to shooting lefty as my cheek/shoulder hurt too much to stay on the right. I finished the round and had enough... and that was all target loads. I find big bangs and lots of recoil fun, but when you don't place the butt right or your cheek weld is off metal hits bone and that hurts and doesn't stop hurting for the rest of the day. Follow up shots become a torment and the fun is gone...

MB

 

[tenringbound]

At one time I toyed with the idea of having a Rem 870 style top folder made for my Win 1300, went so far as to make up a template with the measurements and dimensions, etc. Finally decided to sell the 1300 and buy a Rem 870 with the top folder, much easier and love the look. 870 was cheaper than what the 1300 sold for.

 

[pope_face]

I'd plan on some sort of padding/flat surface to use as a cheek rest, perhaps a flip up/over plate that is extended once the stock is folded out.

Good point... I was considering something similar to one of those adjustable cheek pieces that you can get for certain rifles, but a hinged cover plate makes sense too. I could even curve the left side of the stock to fit my cheek a bit better, if I don't get a rifle cheek piece. I certainly will have to figure something out though.

Tenring: There have been a couple points where I've started doubting myself and considering replacing this with a Remington, but then I think about the potential of the Ithaca and I get excited again. The tactical 870's are what really got me thinking about this, and I'm not saying one is better than the other, but it seems like an interesting challenge that'll result in something (hopefully) fun and useful.

 

[BCRider]

With the 870 being side eject your plan to fold the stock down over the sides of the receiver would be busted.

Let's see a picture of the butt end of the Ithica's receiver. If you're willing to go to the trouble of doing the folding stock then making your own pistol grip isn't a big stretch towards completing the project.

 

[pope_face]

Unfortunately, I don't have the Ithaca at the moment... Canada Post tells me it won't get here until Tuesday (I just bought it last week). However, that may be fortunate, as I've got an exam that day, so I can do some studying before then, instead of fiddling with the shotgun. I will post pictures (and measurements) as soon as I get it though.

As for the pistol grip... I'm not sure if you caught one of my earlier edits, but Milton's comment about making a mount for an available pistol grip caught my attention. I did a bit of poking around, and realized that pistol grips of certain firearms (notably black rifles) attach to the bottom of the receiver, rather than the back. So, rather than getting an entirely new pistol grip made up (the detail work would be costly and/or time consuming), I may get a mount designed that'll bolt to the back of the receiver, then attach the stock through it and a pistol grip to the bottom. I believe an AK or CZ VZ-858 pistol grip would work, and possibly one from an AR-15... if someone with an AR could chime in on that, I'd appreciate it.

I took a look at the Knoxx Breacher's Grip online a few days ago as well... unfortunately, they don't make an Ithaca version, but the idea of reducing recoil in the pistol grip sounds like a good one. I'm wondering if I could find some way of "soft mounting" the mount to the receiver. Two possibilities would be using a flat chunk of rubber or something as a "buffer" between the receiver and the mount, or press-fitting some sort of polyurethane bushings into the mount and then using that to bolt to the receiver. I was hoping to draw it out, but the Paint program on my computer got the better of me and I gave up.

I'll have to make a range trip to test out the shotgun this week, as I've never had a chance to shoot an Ithaca before. Once I get a feel for the recoil and handling, I can start working on the actual design for the new stock.

 

[BCRider]

Fair enough. Just don't go and make a mount for the grip that positions your hand at an awkward angle just because you're trying to make life easier for yourself. Especially since one way or the other you need to make a block for the back of the receiver to mount the folding stock hinge into. My thinking is that if you need to do that sort of work anyway then you may as well make the pistol grip part integral instead of working out another attachment point. Not to mention that the AR grips don't normally see the sort of recoil loads that you will have with a hand held 12Ga. I'm not saying that the grip will immediately shatter but how you mount it and arrange to spread out the recoil loads in the mount and fastener may prove more complex than making a pistol grip from some good quality laminated birch plywood.

 

[pope_face]

Rider: Again, another good point... I hadn't thought of the AR grip not being able to handle the recoil, but I'd rather not find out the hard way. As for making up a wood grip... to be honest, I've been so preoccupied with the whole synthetic/metal thing that I hadn't even considered wood. I know Windsor Plywood sells Baltic Birch plywood in varying thicknesses... I think they come in half-sheets, and it's supposed to be an excellent plywood...

As for the angle... any recommendations? I've started a "build thread" in the Black & Green Shotgun forum (here), just to prevent getting too off topic here, so I can ask there as well.

However, the gun actually arrived today, so I managed to remove the stock and take a couple pictures of the mounting point... not exactly what I was hoping to see, but I'll work it out.

From the side... the tube on the far right is threaded to accept the stock bolt.

From the rear... here you can see that the receiver is hollow in the upper part.

I wasn't expecting it, but the stock is hollowed out in the upper portion where it connects the receiver, so I'll have to make sure to do the same with the pistol grip. Fortunately, it's only hollowed out maybe 1" behind the receiver, so I could probably do it with a dremel and some patience.

 

[M1shooter]

Could you buy just a spas 12 stock and modify it? You could probably get one from numrich gun parts or somewhere.

 

[pope_face]

I'm sure it's possible to modify an existing stock, and if I were to go that route I'd probably stick with Remington or Mossberg, as they're both relatively cheap and easily available. However, part of the reason I want a custom stock is to have to go over the sides of the receiver, rather than just sitting on top. The other shotguns are side eject, so the top-folding stocks simply sit on top of the receiver. Not to mention the cost (probably $100+) of buying one, and then trying to modify it. Right now, the aim is to get the basic machining for the stock (and hopefully pistol grip) for under $150, and then I can do the final fit and finish on my own time.

Speaking of which, I'd emailed Ithaca last week about getting an OEM pistol grip, and I heard back from them today... apparently they don't have any, so their suggestion was to contact Choate, which I'd done on Monday evening. I'm still waiting for a response though.

 

[luke s]

What you should do is get one of these from here:
http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwolf/airsoft/Accessories_Grips_and_Stocks_Shotgun_Sniper_Rifle_KTW_SPAS_Custom_Metal_Stock_Set.htm

what are the chances of getting that brought into canada? if I order it online, will it make it, or be seized at the border?

 

[Mercury0_0]

Since it's not an actual "firearm" part there shouldn't be any problem. I've purchased a number of items for airsoft without any problems at all. A quick email to redwolf should clear it up though.