Red recoil pad for Ruger No1

[rookhawk]

Interesting. I have used Galazan on at least half a dozen guns and rifles. Each one turned out perfect - not as copies - merely as perfect.

They’ve replaced three of them for me so far. They said “yeah, we know there is a problem.” They may have fixed that problem since then. One thing that I don’t like so much is that some of the Galazan pads come in silvers packages and their website gives the appearance they are authentic Silvers pads but the subtext says they formulated them to be replicas. I get it, they do a lot of repro stuff including trade labels and the like, but Silvers is a trademarked, legitimate, operating business in the UK Today so beyond the quality issues experienced, the CSMCs are a bit of a counterfeit. Better to sell them as “London style reproduction pads” than to trade on someone’s good will.

 

[Red Leg]

They’ve replaced three of them for me so far. They said “yeah, we know there is a problem.” They may have fixed that problem since then. One thing that I don’t like so much is that some of the Galazan pads come in silvers packages and their website gives the appearance they are authentic Silvers pads but the subtext says they formulated them to be replicas. I get it, they do a lot of repro stuff including trade labels and the like, but Silvers is a trademarked, legitimate, operating business in the UK Today so beyond the quality issues experienced, the CSMCs are a bit of a counterfeit. Better to sell them as “London style reproduction pads” than to trade on someone’s good will.

I would assume that is a Silver issue if true? All I know is that each and every one that I have purchased from Galazan installed without issue and has performed flawlessly. Three or four of them were installed by fairly well known members of the consigliere. That is over at least a fifteen year period of time. Of course, that is merely my experience with their product.

 

[rookhawk]

I would assume that is a Silver issue if true? All I know is that each and every one that I have purchased from Galazan installed without issue and has performed flawlessly. Three or four of them were installed by fairly well known members of the consigliere. That is over at least a fifteen year period of time. Of course, that is merely my experience with their product.

No. Every genuine silvers pad I’ve ever fitted or had fitted, all 30-something or more of them were flawless. I’m talking about the Tony Galazan, CSMC “replicas”. Those are the ones that they call “silvers pads” but indeed, they had a casting issue and there were voids in them Specifically the orange ones. (Never had a red one with issues)

 

[rookhawk]

To leave no doubts, here is the link to the real authentic article by S.W. Silvers of England: http://www.kynochammunition.co.uk/silvers.html

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Hi Kevin, I installed a couple of Silver recoil pads so far and found some inspiration on YT:

I did not use any tool but did the grinding free-hand with a belt sander. Rough grinding with 80, finishing with 400 sand paper.

Thank you Luederitz.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

@Kevin Peacocke i may have a new and unused ruger #1 red pad in my stash. Let me check for you, if yes, I could get it to you this weekend.

Wow thank you Rookhawk.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Guys, a few more thoughts. Take a look at this Ruger below. This would be fabulous, and I think worth it for the No1. I have contacted an expert stockmaker operating in Limpopo who can execute this out of about grade 7 Turkish walnut. It is quite a procedure, I have to go down to be fitted and temporarily export the rifle for initial carving - 3 weeks required. Then he does the fine work - a further two months. Then I go 'hunting' again and he finally fits the woodwork. You guys are so lucky in the USA, so many options.

 

[Luederitz]

sales@kynamco.co.uk
Get in touch with Steve or Debbie, they will help you with the original pad. Size #3 suits most rifles.
Installation takes less than 30 minutes.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Guys, a few more thoughts. Take a look at this Ruger below. This would be fabulous, and I think worth it for the No1. I have contacted an expert stockmaker operating in Limpopo who can execute this out of about grade 7 Turkish walnut. It is quite a procedure, I have to go down to be fitted and temporarily export the rifle for initial carving - 3 weeks required. Then he does the fine work - a further two months. Then I go 'hunting' again and he finally fits the woodwork. You guys are so lucky in the USA, so many options.

Since the above post the stockmaker now tells me he has no blanks, I must import one, get it to him, then we begin the above rigmarole. Too much!
So, can anyone recommend a good stockmaker in the USA who will be able to make a stock off a No1 he can borrow there then ship me the completed woodwor? I will fit it here.

 

[WAB]

Since the above post the stockmaker now tells me he has no blanks, I must import one, get it to him, then we begin the above rigmarole. Too much!
So, can anyone recommend a good stockmaker in the USA who will be able to make a stock off a No1 he can borrow there then ship me the completed woodwor? I will fit it here.

LeRoy Barry at Canyon Creek Custom Gunstocks. Many of the AHR stocks folks post were done by LeRoy in addition to the Model 70’s I have posted pics of. His work is as good as any I’ve seen and much more reasonable than most. He has an impressive inventory of wood.

RJ Renner does a lot of work on No 1’s and a great reputation. I have no experience with him.

 

[rookhawk]

Since the above post the stockmaker now tells me he has no blanks, I must import one, get it to him, then we begin the above rigmarole. Too much!
So, can anyone recommend a good stockmaker in the USA who will be able to make a stock off a No1 he can borrow there then ship me the completed woodwor? I will fit it here.

Kevin, you’re going down a dark rabbit hole my friend.

a good blank is $1000-$3000 plus shipping. Getting it carved and fitted is $1000-$3000 more. In the end, $6000 later, your gun is worth another $400.

for the cost of doing this, you could buy the finest ruger in custom wood ever made as they don’t resale for much money. $4000?

Also, the prettiest wood is always on small bore tigers. They are hollow and the chances of cracking are higher with thin, properly contoured wood.

Mentioning all of this as it’s roads I’ve travelled many times with number 1s. For the cost of the effort, I just bought Dakota number 10s.

 

[Red Leg]

No. Every genuine silvers pad I’ve ever fitted or had fitted, all 30-something or more of them were flawless. I’m talking about the Tony Galazan, CSMC “replicas”. Those are the ones that they call “silvers pads” but indeed, they had a casting issue and there were voids in them Specifically the orange ones. (Never had a red one with issues)

The Galazan is the one to which I refer. I haven't had thirty fitted - perhaps a dozen. I haven't done them myself - always by a professional. Never an issue. If someone can get an original pad, it obviously will work as well.

Galazan doesn't claim that they are original either in the product name:

"S. W. Silver & Co. #3 Style Recoil Pad"​

or the detailed description:

"When they are finished in the described manner, they are undetectable from the original pre-war pad. We have spent a lot of time developing the correct color for this pad."

I think our only point of contention is whether the pad performs as advertised. I reiterate that I have never had an issue with one.

 

[WAB]

Kevin, you’re going down a dark rabbit hole my friend.

a good blank is $1000-$3000 plus shipping. Getting it carved and fitted is $1000-$3000 more. In the end, $6000 later, your gun is worth another $400.

for the cost of doing this, you could buy the finest ruger in custom wood ever made as they don’t resale for much money. $4000?

Also, the prettiest wood is always on small bore tigers. They are hollow and the chances of cracking are higher with thin, properly contoured wood.

Mentioning all of this as it’s roads I’ve travelled many times with number 1s. For the cost of the effort, I just bought Dakota number 10s.

I am quite certain that these numbers are significantly higher than what you will pay at Canyon Creek. Of course it all depends on the wood you select and the options you add.

 

[Red Leg]

Kevin, you’re going down a dark rabbit hole my friend.

a good blank is $1000-$3000 plus shipping. Getting it carved and fitted is $1000-$3000 more. In the end, $6000 later, your gun is worth another $400.

for the cost of doing this, you could buy the finest ruger in custom wood ever made as they don’t resale for much money. $4000?

Also, the prettiest wood is always on small bore tigers. They are hollow and the chances of cracking are higher with thin, properly contoured wood.

Mentioning all of this as it’s roads I’ve travelled many times with number 1s. For the cost of the effort, I just bought Dakota number 10s.

Kevin, Rook and I may disagree on the quality of Galazan products (I have an Inverness OU that is one of the finest shotguns that I own), but he is offering good advice with respect to a major investment in a Ruger No. 1. Whatever you do to it, and however much you spend, it will always be a Ruger No. 1. I suspect you have stocking options in South Africa that would be cheaper than the US if you can get a blank, but still it will turn into a major investment.

Another option is to find someone who knows how to put a European finish on the original Ruger stock. The Ruger No. 1B below was refinished in Germany in the late 70's. But that is the original stock (no fancy special order) - just looking far more traditional. (The young man who did it also engraved the rifle - all part of his graduation project from the gunmaking school in Ferlach, Austria.)

The point being, a good stock man can make your current Ruger look a lot more traditional for a fraction the cost of a new stock.

And yes, I should have had a Silver's pad installed all those years ago ......

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

@WAB, @rookhawk, @Redleg and all the other kind folks who have responded, thanks for all the input. I'll do a bit more homework and come up with a plan. After all is said and done the existing stock shape is pleasing, so perhaps as you suggest RedLeg the way forward is to enhance that, fit a red pad and recoil moderator in the stock and heve fun doing it.

 

[rookhawk]

@Red Leg

Is exactly correct. The quality of the wood hidden inside of a Ruger #1 is not made manifest. A proper London oil finish and full grain fill can make it look as nice as any African use, English made sporting rifle out there.

Here’s an example of exactly what Red Leg is endorsing. The two on the left are the original wood. The one on the right is custom $3000 wood. The retail value of the three guns is within $200 of one another. The left two are actually stronger wood for high recoil loads. Take note, authentic S.W. Silver red recoil pads installed, but not yet polished

 

[WAB]

Kevin,
@rookhawk and @Red Leg are offering good advice. Although I believe that a restocking could be done for less than stated, it will still be an investment that is probably close to 2x the value of the original rifle. A proper oil finish would bring out the grain in your original stock and dramatically improve the rifle. In addition to the photo Red Leg has shared, check out RJ Renner’s website to get an idea of what the original wood can be made to look like.
Bill

 

[rookhawk]

@Kevin Peacocke

I went through the pile of pads i have. The ruger red pad is damaged and would need to be polished down to put on a rifle. Unfortunately, that means it isn’t appropriate for a simple pad-swap on a factory ruger stock. Pic shown to explain what I mean. Also shown, authentic silvers pad that is probably 70 years old, and a new NECG copy that really moderates recoil.

 

[IvW]

Since the above post the stockmaker now tells me he has no blanks, I must import one, get it to him, then we begin the above rigmarole. Too much!
So, can anyone recommend a good stockmaker in the USA who will be able to make a stock off a No1 he can borrow there then ship me the completed woodwor? I will fit it here.

Steve Fourie in PTA SA is one of the best, trust me....

 

[C.W. Richter]

Silver's is the true red pad (that can be buffed to match a gloss finish stock.) Having an old stock (mocked up if changes desired) traced and (new, better wood and/or larger butt for less felt recoil) cut by CNC wood lathe is much cheaper than hand carving. Then checkering added. (MUCH less than the $1000s days.) CT Shotgun carries the full line of Silver's pads. They look the best but aren't as good at recoil absorption, so the reducer is highly recommended! IF you have a (stationary, table) belt sander or free-standing grinding wheel, some masking tape and a little patience, it's not hard to install and fit your own new pad. Here's a good opportunity to make the length of pull precisely what fits you (as the Silver's are available in many different thicknesses.) Last one I did was on a beat up old Steyr-Manlicher S/T 375 I restored for sale (using a coarse followed by fine grinding wheel) and it turned out perfectly. Good luck!