Pardon my butt

[Bill I Am]

Not really sure where to post this....

..this seems like it will work. I just completed this cover for the butt of my Ruger 10/22 stock.



Not only did I want to put my "brand" on this lovely thing, but I also put on a D-ring for a future sling so that I would not have to drill a hole in the synthetic stock.

It is laced on like a boot so it can be removed. You can't really tell, but the leather lacing I got wet first so it is really tight. First try at something like this. Came out well I think.

[Chaos47]

Very nice!
Probably would look better on a wood stock though

[NickMc]

Wow, that's nice!

[chibitodd]

Looks great. Did you make that?

[Coded-Dude]

I have been wanting to get back in to leathercraft for a while now. That is amazing, good job!

[henmar77]

Thats awesome! Now you just need to change the stock to wood so it makes sense.

[BakaLogic]

That's amazing!

Very talented. Nice work!

So when are you going to start taking requests?

J/K. I'm appropriately jealous.

[Bill I Am]

Wow...lots of great comments.

OK, the stock. When I purchased the 10/22, I had every intention of getting the wood stock. I love wood, I have it all over my house. But when I saw the stock it well...it didn't look like wood. I knew it was but it looked like it got over stained or something. Then when I saw the all-weather model with it's stainless steel barrel and black stock....and I have silver hair and often wear black...it was a match. Beyond that, it is just a matter of taste. I may not have the best taste..but it's mine.

Yes, I made that myself. BTW, there is NO market for my stuff. None. I find myself making gun bags and such for friends and family. I also have made leather faced clocks. I like those.

Hey, I am open to trades if someone has some gun stuff they want to trade for a one of a kind thing. (BTW, my gun bags? I BUY the bag from Turner's then attach my leather to it. All that sewing and such..my hands can no longer do, ya know? Besides, that way I can get the right bag. Many of my friends compete and have larger bags due to mag well extenders.)

Also on the Ruger, the lacing is still drying and pulling the leather really tight.

[bruceflinch]

nice job!

[Burbur]

Another fine example of your work.

I agree with some of the others, I might prefer it on a wood stock, but not a new one, an old beat up one.

I have been privileged enough to see a few of his other pieces in person, true craftsmanship. Although Bill doesn't sell them, i doubt I could afford 'em; it looks like a metric ****ton of work.

[Fishslayer]

That's some nice work.

So... when are we going to be seeing your lace on buttpads for the Mosins?

[VegasND]

Nice project, you did a good job.

[Bill I Am]

You guys just really want to see this thing on wood huh?

I am thinking I am going to take my same template and see if it works on my Dad's old Remmington .22 TargetMaster. The thing still shoots great and is very accurate for something made in 1936. Of course, the stock IS wood. Even if the template doesn't work, I'll just make another one.

Also going to look at doing one with a gusset piece that I will pad, on the back. My son has a Ruger American chambered in .308 (Yes, also a synthetic stock). That thing has a KICK to it and could use a bit of padding I think. That would also satisfy the Mosin crowd.

As to how much work it is...well there is a saying that if you are doing what you love, it isn't work. (OK, I paraphrased but you get the point.) When I am tooling on the leather, I am in a place that I want to be. If I waited until I got a commission to make a piece, not only would I have starved by now, but I wouldn't really get any better. Like anything...like shooting....if you don't do it, you won't get better.

BTW, the lacing tightened up nicely! I checked it this morning and the lace is dry and as expected, it has pulled the leather tight around the stock.

[Fishslayer]

As to how much work it is...well there is a saying that if you are doing what you love, it isn't work. (OK, I paraphrased but you get the point.) When I am tooling on the leather, I am in a place that I want to be. If I waited until I got a commission to make a piece, not only would I have starved by now, but I wouldn't really get any better. Like anything...like shooting....if you don't do it, you won't get better.

I know exactly where you're coming from. I build custom fishing rods for myself & am always getting "How much to build me one?" or "You should sell those!"

I tell them that by the time I finished paying retail for the parts I'm already over what a perfectly servicable off the rack rod would cost and if I sold them for anything like the big boys did my time would come out to about ten cents an hour.

It's a hobby. Nothing will ruin a hobby like trying to make money at it.

[1lowluv]

If you want a wood stock, I've got a new one you can have.

The leather looks awesome. Great job