Classic Gunsmith Adapter - Installation Guide

The installation of one of our Gunsmith Adapters into the stock of your rifle is a relatively straight forward process. This guide offers a number of suggestions & considerations to complete this successfully. 

The rifle action needs to be removed from the stock to safely conduct this installation, and this is why we recommend customers to seek the help of a professional gunsmith if they are not comfortable with the process.

The key areas for a successful installation are to ensure that all measurements are taken precisely. 

 Ensure that the adapter is:

• Centrally positioned on the centerline of the forearm
• Does not obstruct other fittings in or on the rifle 
• Has sufficient space for the adapter to fit in that part of the stock 
• Has sufficient space to accept any bedding medium used (Hollow stock)
• Does not come into contact with the barrel 

Each rifle is different in this respect, and time spent assessing the correct placement is well spent. 

Generally, the further the closer the bipod is to the muzzle, the greater the stability in use is achieved (subject to the space available). Additional Gunsmith Adapters are often installed by customers who require a mounting option closer to the center of balance point of the rifle, for use with the Sentinel & Davros products. The same considerations apply to these installations. 

Customers often ask if the adapter should sit in front or behind the sling stud. Ultimately both options are suitable. However, we recommend placing the Gunsmith Adapter forward of the sling stud if possible to reduce interference.

Installation Guide

Step 1. Remove Barrel and Wrap Stock

The rifle stock needs to be carefully masked to protect it and firmly mounted upside down in a suitable vice or clamp.

Step 2. Mark the centre point of the stock

Mark the centre point, this can be achieved either by using string (pictured below) or callipers.

Step 3. Choose Drill Bit

For boring a hole in rifle stocks made of solid material a 19mm Forstner bit should be used. For rifle stocks manufactured hollow stocks (typically polymer material, but not exclusively) an 18mm Hole Saw works well and the slight flex of polymer hollow stocks allows the adapter to be firmly pressed into place, providing a tight fit in the stock. If the initial fitting is too tight, then a slight enlargement of the hole can be achieved using a small rotary power tool. 

Step 4. Bore Hole

Once you are satisfied that you are drilling in an area of the rifle stock with suitable material & space to accept the installation of the adapter, it is simply a case of carefully boring a hole to the required depth. (If the stock is solid) 

The adapter is 17mm (0.6”) deep in total, but not all of this needs to be installed into the stock. If you look at the photos above, you will see that the rim of the adapter sits sightly proud of the stock. The adaptor requires at least 12mm to be embedded into the stock itself. The adaptor can sit deeper than 12mm and may be installed almost flush if done with care!

Step 5. Align Gunsmith

Decide orientation of moveable "Hunt Mode" and locked "Range Mode". This is dictated by a pin and slot system as seen below. We recommend using your bipod in the locked "Range Mode" to orientate the gunsmith to assure correct alignment when fitting and bonding the adapter. 

Step 6. Cleaning and Bonding

For Solid stocks the bored hole simple needs to be keyed & cleaned with a suitable solvent degreaser. Once done it can then simply be installed & bonded in place using a small amount of the suitable epoxy  

We recommend using Devcon 10110 Type-A Plastic -Steel Putty (Or equivalent). This is a two-part epoxy-containing sintered metal. We have found this to be extremely reliable & durable. Being a putty, it is a little more forgiving when you require to work or shape it slightly as it cures.

For Hollow stocks, a little more work will be required, as the adapter will need to rely upon the additional support of the bedding material to hold it in position and manage the energy of the rifle in use. Often these stocks are manufactured with a number of hollows or wells, divided by a series of cross braces. These hollows are an excellent place to use for fitting the adapter into. The cross braces form perfect bulkheads to contain the epoxy and surround the adapter.

Ensure that the epoxy fully surrounds the adapter from the base to the stock to the top of the adapter. Ensure that the resin doesn't reach the rifle barrel.

Step 7. Wait Patiently

Wait for the epoxy to cure, remove the masking material, clean & reassemble the action to the rifle & check zero.

Step 8. Go Hunt

If you require any additional information please submit a ticket through our helpdesk.

The videos below outline the processes of installing a gunsmith adapter into a solid wood stock.