Well I thought it might never happen, but my Ruger GSR is finally on the way. I'm sure my local dealer is tickled pink because after next Wednesday or so he'll never have to hear me call him 3 times a week (slight exaggeration) inquiring about the status of the order. I'm pretty excited and haven't wanted a rifle this bad since I bought my Henry Golden Boy .22 Mag years and years ago.
So, I'm already planning modifications to this rifle, to make it unique, to make it mine! I am thinking of adding a short, nearly flush mounting picitinny rail to the bottom of the forend. I would like to use this rail piec to mount a Grip-Pod or similar deployable bipod/VFG combo. But I'm not sure how to do it and don't want to butcher the stock. I'm thinking some form of backing plate and remove material so it is flush with the stock channel. Then removing some material for the rail piece to fit as flush as it can with the rail still operational.
I also want to remove the sling swivel studs and install QD pushbutton swivels and cups. I want to mount a cup in the locations the studs currently reside, then three more along the left side to mount a Ching Sling as I almost always shoot from sling supported positions. I want to use the factory stud locations for humping the rifle in the woods, then swap to the left side mounts for shooting with sling support. I have never used a Ching Sling, so I am unsure if side mount will allow it to work properly. Problem is that I have never fired with sling support while also using a VFG. So some testing with original sling mounting locations will be needed before I finalize anything.
So, anyone with experience modifying laminated stocks care to give me some pointers? Like what tools will best get the job done and make it look professional? I do have a nice set of wood chisels that I used in an art class but that was one project and 20 years ago. If all goes well, I may carve a nice design into the stock afterwards, then use Dura Coat to finish it all off.
Thoughts and ideas welcome. I am willing to be a guinnea pig of sorts, so if you have a modification idea and I like it, I just might add it to my list so you don't have to ruin your stock to see if it'd work!