Making a Quick-Change Buttstock-Attachment System

There are a number of reasons why a shooter might want to remove or change the buttstock on a typical shotgun or rifle with a two-piece stock. The stock may be a poor fit for the intended shooting purpose. One stock may have too high or too low a comb, or the stock may be too short or too long for the shooter. Seldom does one stock fit every shooter who might want to use the gun. And in cases where the gun can be used as either a rifle or a pistol, the quick-change feature is a real plus.

Normally, to gain access to the stock-attachment bolt, the time-consuming task of removing the recoil pad or buttplate is required. Following this, an extra-long screwdriver or socket wrench extension is needed to remove and replace the buttstock. The recoil pad or buttplate must then be replaced before shooting. This incon Right top: The quick-change buttstock-attachment system is used on this switch-barrel rifle designed by the author. The stock can be removed or reattached in less than 30 seconds.

Right bottom: This is the original stock-attachment bolt (below) with the partially completed quick-change stock bolt designed by the author. Note the length of 1/4-28 bolt stock which is threaded into the 3/8-inch full-length bolt, and the threaded collar positioned at the proper length corresponding with the original through-bolt. venience is easily remedied where a stock must be removed and replaced at frequent intervals.

Making the Through-Bolt Assembly The quick-change bolt assembly is made from readily available materials and with common shop tools. I used a 3/8-inch steel rod as the main bolt which just fit through the forward hole in the stock. The main bolt is cut a bit long and squared at one end for drilling and tapping. A stud bolt, with the same thread size as the original stock bolt, is then screwed into the end of the main bolt. This is all done in the lathe so the stud bolt is in perfect alignment with the main bolt.

The stock bolt thread I used was 1/4-28. I used a 1-3/4-inch stud of hardened bolt steel. Brownells Accu-Weld was applied to the stud threads to bond the stud permanently in position. Be sure sufficient thread extends beyond the end of the main bolt to fully thread into the action. Next, a collar is made and attached to the main bolt. This is positioned to form the same bolt length beyond the collar corresponding to the length of the original stock bolt, including the new stud thread.

The collar can be threaded onto the main bolt or attached permanently with a pin and/ or cold weld bonding. A thin washer can be used between the collar and the stock wood, but may not be necessary if the collar is smooth and square. A 3/8-inch threaded rod could also be

The Allen wrench is seen in position. The unit is ready for installation by simply screwing the buttplate in position. The smaller 1/4-28 bolt is threaded into the larger 3/8-inch through-bolt. used as the primary bolt and a double nut securely tightened to attain the proper thread depth. A washer would be used in this application at the nut juncture. Next, a hole is made in the buttplate for access to the socket head for use of an Allen wrench to turn the main bolt.

This hole must be precisely located to correspond with the exact stock hole center. I simply used a 3/8-inch rod with a pointer to mark the underside of the rubber buttplate. I then used a sharp end mill to cut through the plastic surfaces and a circular cutter to neatly cut through the outer surface of the rubber from the opposite side. The outer hole is made exactly the same size as the 1/4-inch socket head which I used to extend the main bolt.

The buttplate hole is cut at the same angle as the main stock bolt to ensure a non-binding passage through it. Finally, the terminal end of the main stock-bolt assembly is made up with a 1/4-28 socket-head bolt, threaded in line into the 3/8-inch shaft. Carefully mark this length by laying the buttplate in position at the end of the stock, allowing for final thread depth. When you are sure of the exact socket-head position, this bolt can be bonded permanently in place.

But before I did this, I put an ultra shine on the socket head for smooth contact with the buttstock rubber. The idea is to keep things neat so all you’ll see is the socket head positioned just beneath the surface of the buttplate. Conclusions Where a stock can conveniently be changed, this simple modification can offer worthwhile advantages to the shooter. Stock fit is very important, and in this way one gun can satisfy the needs of more than one shooter.

Perhaps most importantly, removing and replacing the buttstock can now be accomplished in less than half a minute.