Aftermarket stocks...

[Dave223]

Im looking to replace the stock on my wifes 243 with a youth stock. So far Ive had no luck with my wtb ad so Im thinking of going in a different direction.  Today she shot my 10/22 with a thumbhole stock, like 500 times, and told me she really likes it. Im now thinking of ordering a thumbhole for her Handi and cutting it down to fit her.  Who makes stocks for the Handi besides Boyds and is it possible to cut it down 1-2 inches?
  Also, what would you recommend for a recoil pad for her? She says the recoil isnt bad, but if I can cut it down even more she will enjoy it that much more...Thanks, Dave

[Antietamgw]

I recently installed a thick (1-1/4", I think) KickEZE pad on a 300WM bolt gun for a friend. He has some shoulder troubles and felt that it, with a muzzle break, would make it bearable. I believe it to be a softer pad than the Decelerators, which I usually use.  Do you prefer not to shorten your existing stock?
These folks make Handi stocks, both thumbhole and conventional. Looks like they will install a pad to the LOP you specify. I've not used them recently but was happy with a Martini Cadet stock set I got from them some time back.
http://www.gunstocksinc.com/

[tallyho]

Dave, I don't know if this would work for your wife or not, but my wife (and daughter) liked a stock I had on my 357max. In the first pic (on a 30/30 Topper 158 frame) you can see it compared to a Youth synth stock (bottom) and a full-size synth stock (top). It is just slightly longer than the Youth, and slightly shorter than the full size, and it has a kind-of pistol grip.

Next pic is the 357 max Handi-gun II with a Survivor stock set, and finally, pic with a Survivor butt stock on a SB2 receiver .223 lightweight barrel, and old style synthetic forend. (I also have a .308 HB with SB3 receiver with a Survivor stock but no pics.)

 

[Lon371]

 I like the boyds thumbhole stock better than the gunstock inc. Both should be easy to trim to fit. Becareful of the survivor stock, the one I had was a hard pad.
 
 Lonny

[tallyho]

I like the boyds thumbhole stock better than the gunstock inc. Both should be easy to trim to fit. Becareful of the survivor stock, the one I had was a hard pad.
 
 Lonny

Yup, they have a hard pad, but I wonder if that is a factor with a .243. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the boyds, in fact, I think they are a great option. Just offering another possibility - particularly because my wife liked it. 

[quickdtoo]

There's always the Handi-grip thumbhole, very popular here, very light with a pad very similar to the Remington Supercell, I just put mine on my 45-70 Trapper, don't have pic yet, but here's a pic on my 6x45 and a review by Mac.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,200086.msg1099030703.html#msg1099030703

[BBF]

I bought the Handi Grip Thumb Hole as a replacement stock, is it available as a Youth size?

[quickdtoo]

Not that I  know of, but they can be cut down too, actually easier since access to the stock bolt isn't an issue.

Tim

[BBF]

OK, how about the recoil pad??

[quickdtoo]

Yup, as usual....      see shorten a synthetic stock.

[Dave223]

Thanks for the help and replies, I may have a lead on a youth stock. We will see how it goes and then go from there!
I like the survivor stock but my wife doesnt, so I guess thats out. Thanks again!