Shoot it.
You bought it with the intention of shooting it. (I'm not a collector and have no "enjoyment" from buying guns and storing them). If you want it to be a safe queen, go buy a used 30-30 and shoot it. As to a recoil pad, forggeettt about it. It's a 30-30 it has a real mild "kick". I can shoot mine all day without feeling the effects in my shoulder.