Speedfeed IVs easy ergonomic makeover

[flyfishdave]

Speedfeed IVs easy ergonomic makeover

My initial complaint about the Speedfeed IVs stock was the awful pistol grip that literally felt like a rough sawn 2 x 4 in the hand. I purchased a speedfeed standard youth stock to try and aside from the swivel stud that was mounted off-center, I had trouble supporting the entire weapon with a light and side saddle mounted. Having returned the standard stock, I decided to make the best of the situation and took the pistol grip stock to work to play with.

Now, being a dentist with a lab bench fitted with every imaginable grinding tool, polishing wheel, burs and tools has its advantages when it comes to some DIY gunsmithing. I don’t have any before pictures for comparision, but after about 1 hour of grinding, I managed to soften the edges by cutting in a gentle radius around the entire grip, eliminating that ‘blocky’ 2 x 4 feeling. The other annoying feature was that upper frontstrap ‘swell’ just under the trigger guard, which I managed to soften.

Note, the grip is hollow and care must be taken not to cut too deep. Nevertheless, the areas that needed the most trimming did have a substantial amount of material supporting it.

Next, once having established the ideal contours, I had to deal with the slippery front and back straps. Note, the center portions of the sides were not touched and you can see where the grip was untouched in some of the photos. Luckily, I still had my waxing instrument from dental school – just an overpriced mini-soldering iron device with fancy interchangeable tips. So, with a pin-point tip in hand, I spend the next 1.5 hours ‘melting’ little pits into the smooth areas, effectively stippling the surface for a better purchase. I didn’t have my macro lens available when I took these, but a close-up shot would reveal the difference between the factory surface and the hand stippling.

If any of you would like to attempt this and have any questions, please feel free to contact me with any questions. All one really needs is a Dremel, a few carbide trimming burs, some polishers, and a soldering iron.

Nevertheless, be prepared to deal with ALOT of black plastic shavings which will get everywhere and all over you. Even with a lab bench with a downdraft suction device, this stuff sticks like fiberglass insulation – If you ever worked around any insulation, you know what I’m talking about.








Hope you enjoyed this little project of mine.

Dave.

[Lycanthrope]

Good project.

When I do texturing I use a woodburning tool from Wal Mart with textured tips....saves a lot of time. I keep some oil on the grip...seems to help keep the color nice and dark and help from sticking. Wipe the tip often.

Don't breathe the vapors. NOT healthy.

[flyfishdave]

Originally Posted by Lycanthrope

Good project.

When I do texturing I use a woodburning tool from Wal Mart with textured tips....saves a lot of time. I keep some oil on the grip...seems to help keep the color nice and dark and help from sticking. Wipe the tip often.

Don't breathe the vapors. NOT healthy.

I knew there had to be an easier way - I just couldn't imagine someone in the factory sitting there poking little holes into the stocks, breathing the nice vapors in. I'll have to check out Wal Mart for this tool. It might make for some nice looking teeth too!

Dave.

[Lycanthrope]

P.S. - If you scuff the plastic in an area you want smoothed, just buff with some 2000 grit wet/dry paper and lightly oil. It will come out smoothe and black.

Use lower heat settings on plastic if you can. High heat will make it brittle and discolor colored plastics.