Gunsmith suggestions for changing shotgun stock cast?

I

Intedserve

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Hi

I have an over-under Stevens 555 that has a stock cast for right hand shooters ( Cast-off) . Any suggestions for a gunsmith ( Contact info) who can bend the stock for left hand shooters to neutral or Cast-on? Preferably in the Toronto - Markham areas.

Thank you.
 
Have you considered having a new stock made? While it is possible to re-cast a stock as you suggest, it's probably not a whole lot less expensive a job as is making a second stock.

Neutralizing or reversing the cast involves stripping the finish, steaming and soaking the wood, and gradually adding pressure to bend it as desired. Then, a finish must be re-applied. Done properly, this is a viable solution. But, the natural structure of the wood has been twisted somewhat and cracking is more likely if the wood gets wet again in the future and as it ages and dries.

I have no direct price comparison to support my belief, but I suspect making a second stock would cost no more than bending. You'd have a more stable stock, better able to handle recoil as it ages. You can have it made to the perfect length-of-pull for you. And, you'd have both left-hand and right-hand stocks as a bonus should you ever decide to sell (or pass it down to a right-handed relative).

Also, finding a craftsman to make and fit a cast-on stock for you will be a much easier task.
 
Having a new stock made will likely cost three times the cost of the gun.

And the Stevens 555 has a through bolt that holds the stock to the receiver. You can bend that stock as much as one would like, but as soon as you put that stock back on and torque that through bolt, the wood is naturally going to want to straighten up again.

My suggestion is to sell the gun and buy one one that fits you better
 
Stevens shotguns are imported and distributed by Savage. Before getting a new stock made or bending the current wood I'd contact Savage and see if it is possible to buy a stock with a left hand cast.
 
Wood can not be bent it has memory it will return to its original position
There are few qualified smiths in the USA and England that have a long drawn out process that they claim works . Questionable also it would cost you the price of 3 of your guns
 
Adding or removing cast doesn't always involve steam and bending the stock. A stock fitter can shave material from the stock where it attaches to the receiver to change the drop and cast. I have had stocks fitted this way. I do agree with Arietta that a replacement stock may be your best option. Having a shotgun fit can cost several hundred dollars depending on what the your chosen fitter will charge. This may not be economical for a Stevens 555.
 
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