I thought maybe I would write an update on this little project.
So we started out with a JM stamped 1895GS. I bought it from a friend that had bought it from the original owner, whom had essentially sighted it in and tossed it under the seat of his truck. Needless to say it was a bit bumped up by the time it got to my hands. After some chemical stripping, careful steaming/ironing, and a bit of sharpening of the checkering, the original stock was refinished in Tru-Oil.
As much as I enjoyed the classic appearance, I really didn't like the feel. I decided that a pistol grip was the way to go(hence the opening of this thread). Shortly after starting this thread I was messaged by another member that had an MXLR that they were willing to do a parts swap with.
I shipped out the stock set, lever, and lower tang. And was shipped the same from the other member.
Here you see the rifle in its new configuration. As you can see, the previous owner had slimmed down the forend and removed the checking on the pistol grip. I thoroughly enjoy the rifle in its new configuration. It carries nicely to hand and the pistol grip feels much more natural for me. However the lever loop still felt a bit cramped....out came the sketches.
I didn't want an enormous loop, I just wanted enough room for my hand to feel comfortable during operation.(I will fully admit to using the RPP medium loop as inspiration)
I picked up some 3/16" 304 stainless(factory loop is 1/8" and if I were to do it again I would use that) and started shaping.
After some careful hammer work, and that anxiety inducing moment where the old loop was cut off, I took the loop to have it TIG welded on.
At this point I was starting to get pretty excited about the project! Things were really coming together! It was at this point that I decided I wanted to clean the stock up a little and give it a new finish. I had originally planned on using a textured paint on the stock to give it some traction, and weatherproof it. The more I looked at that laminate though, the more I wondered if I could dye it green.....
A little 99% isopropyl Alcohol and the felt stick out of a green Sharpy later, and she looked like this! I surface finished with Tru-Oil to seal it up, and mute the color a little. And have been quite pleased with the final result.
I'm still doing a little shaping on the lever to make it feel right, but that is just fun puttering.
Cheers, and thank you for all the help everyone.
