Installing an adjustable comb in a rifle

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Fire306

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Just inquiring to see if anyone has installed an adjustable comb system on a rifle? I have a Tikka M55 with an old sporter stock. I and somewhat building a cheap F-class rig, and actually like the stock and it functions well. The comb height is workable from the bench, but if I shoot prone, that comb is too low. So I would be interested in making it adjustable. Or, am open to other suggestions how to raise it, and keep it looking good.
Suggestions for different types of adjustable comb hardware would also be appreciated.
 
are you looking for something like the tac-pro saddle, or more something that the stock gets cut and inletted for?

the tac-pro is a very easy DIY project

the fancier ones take a bit of hands on skill to do nicely


TAC-PRO from jerry@mystic
 
About 20yrs ago I put one on a target rifle. The reason was I found my groups were stringing vertically and I identified the cause as my eye and cheek settling on the stock differently each shot. I put an adjustable comb on the rifle and developed a right-hand butt placing routine that reduced the problem. Then I discovered I'd shot all the bullseyes out of that rifle, oh well. Remember as you read the steps, I had to borrow all my tool time from the workshop at work, and have small increments that I could do without monopolizing those guys' time.

In rough sequence:
-in a drill press, drill two long parallel holes down through the butt but not completely through the bottom (for esthetics and for a more springy reason described later). I remember having to make a box to brace the stock upright and fit on the rather small table of the drill.
-with a bandsaw, cut off about 2" off the comb from the butt forward. Make the front edge on a slope so the wrist isn't compromised with a 90-degree joint. The same box was reused.
-scribe some glue tracks in the comb section of 2x 7/16" aluminum rods about 5" long, butter them and the holes with epoxy and set the comb and rods into the stock to cure. I remember using wax paper everywhere to catch the squeeze out.
-with a drill press, drill a hole fractionally larger than the diameter of the rod in the centre of 2x 1" aluminum rod about 1" long.
-with a drill press, drill a large hole in the butt to receiver the 1" discs.
- like with the thin rods, scribe the outside of the discs and epoxy them into the butt. Then to keep every thing aligned, slide the comb down into the butt. Use mold release or Pam or clear shoe polish to keep the rods from getting stuck. I remember having to use a pin punch up from the bottom to unseat the rods.
-with a bandsaw, delicately carve a 45-deg slice off the left side of the butt leaving the disc intact, to make a deeper cheekrest
- with fibreglass cloth and more epoxy, attach the cut off to the comb. Use more wax paper and masking tape to hold things in position.
- with a drill press, drill and tap a small set screw through the right side of the stock into the disc. I like 1/4-20 for no special reason.
- once the rods are smooth and maybe sanded down a bit for better movement, decide just how much to trim off so you can drop a small coil spring into the hole and still drop the comb flush. The spring helps push the comb up when the set screws are loosened.
- refinish with varnish
- just because I never trust a friction fitting, I traced and jig sawed some thin veneer spacers to hold the comb in place. I think this came to me when I was trying to reset the comb between shots and couldn't get it back into place where I wanted.

From the side the closed stock looks ordinary, except for a few glue lines and two screws. When in proper position, it looks more purposeful but still quite functional.
 
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ultimate_monkey said:
are you looking for something like the tac-pro saddle, or more something that the stock gets cut and inletted for?

the tac-pro is a very easy DIY project

the fancier ones take a bit of hands on skill to do nicely



TAC-PRO from jerry@mystic
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm trying to steer away from those types of combs. No offense to anyone, but I think they look horrid and cheap. I'm hoping to put something in like many shotguns have. Just don't know what type of hardware to use, and if it can/should be done on a rifle. The butt isn't that thick. (Approx 1 1/4")
 
Fire306 said:
Thanks, I'm trying to steer away from those types of combs. No offense to anyone, but I think they look horrid and cheap. I'm hoping to put something in like many shotguns have. Just don't know what type of hardware to use, and if it can/should be done on a rifle. The butt isn't that thick. (Approx 1 1/4")
Click to expand...


haha no they are pretty ugly , i for sure wouldnt use one on any thing nice! there is pre-manufacured units to convert to adjustable combs.. my mind seems to be slipping on the companys that make them... give me a few minutes with the old googles


edit :

THIS is what you want.... im not to sure where to buy but there is a user here " Kevin M " that installed one,, maybe shoot HIM a PM....... there is many others, that use a thumb wheel, but they start to get pretty big
 
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Hey, just happened upon this thread by chance. I'm on mobile right now, but I'll link to my install thread in the morning. The Loggerhead ACP hardware is a great little piece of kit, and very affordable. Several months after the install, I am loving it, and would do it again if I got another rifle. Having the correct comb height is very important for precision shooting, and it has made a big improvement in my consistency.

You can order direct from their website, which is admittedly pretty outdated, or email him like I did to make the deal. Very good guy to deal with.

Feel free to ask any questions.
 
Kevin M. said:
Hey, just happened upon this thread by chance. I'm on mobile right now, but I'll link to my install thread in the morning. The Loggerhead ACP hardware is a great little piece of kit, and very affordable. Several months after the install, I am loving it, and would do it again if I got another rifle. Having the correct comb height is very important for precision shooting, and it has made a big improvement in my consistency.

You can order direct from their website, which is admittedly pretty outdated, or email him like I did to make the deal. Very good guy to deal with.

Feel free to ask any questions.
Click to expand...

I found your old thread and the link to snipers hide about the install. Looks like a good product. I can't seem to get the dimensions of the pieces, on the website, the links don't open for me. The stock I'm looking to modify is relatively thin, only about 1.25". I would be interested to know if anyone has installed one of these into a wood stock? Seems it would take a lot of milling to install it.
 
It really depends how the stock is made and what you can shoehorn into it. I have a number of different mechanisms that I have designed that will work. If you tell me what the stock is made of and the dimensions and any lightening holes I may be able to make a suggestion.
 
Ian Robertson said:
It really depends how the stock is made and what you can shoehorn into it. I have a number of different mechanisms that I have designed that will work. If you tell me what the stock is made of and the dimensions and any lightening holes I may be able to make a suggestion.
Click to expand...

The stock is a factory Tikka M55 Sporter. Solid wood stock. It is 1.2" thick at the front edge of the comb where I would cut it, and at the rear it is 1.4"

 
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