Introduction and shotgun forend Build log!

PioneerSPL1990 · 10-23-2010, 02:32 PM

hey guys, im new to the forum, im 20 years old i like to hunt and play with guns, i've always had a strong interest in modifying my own guns, just haven't had the time and have been caught up in other expensive hobbies. Well today i decided to start building my own forend grip for my Mossberg model 500a 12ga, 18.25' barrel, currently it has a stock forend grip and a synthetic factory pistol grip that came with my fathers 500 many years ago, what i plan on doing is modifying my stock youth sized forend grip into a vertical pistol grip using a fishing pole grip, plenty of fiberglass and alot of sanding, and finish the entire piece with a rubberized coating, i plan to make it look seamless and one flowing piece, but yet unique enough so it stands out from all the others on the market, which in my opinion are ugly....

Ill post pics as i go,

and yes... flame away.

PioneerSPL1990 · 10-23-2010, 03:31 PM

roughing up the grip with a rasp and wire wheel, and the wire wheel bit me!

same with the fishing pole handle.

next i lined up the handle and predrilled the grip and handle, i then counter sunk the screw, and mounted it.

side shot, tab on handle will be ground off later.

i used a sturdy rubberized ca glue to ensure that the handle stays in place for the rest of the finishing.

PioneerSPL1990 · 10-23-2010, 03:33 PM

then i ground down the screw head in the center so i could easily put the slide portion back into the grip.

Boris · 10-23-2010, 03:53 PM

Thats pretty neat.

I look forward to finished pics!!

You might get some rib poking, but hardly a flame here.....

PioneerSPL1990 · 10-26-2010, 02:32 PM

just got done final sanding, will have pics up later of the rest of the build.

JLA · 10-26-2010, 05:22 PM

your bottle of 'rubber' looks alot like ABS resin mixed with MEK we used to make when I worked in thermal plastics many moons ago. We called it 'Black Glue'

old semperfi · 10-26-2010, 06:39 PM

the next time you think about doing something like this you may want to consider paint stripper to remove finish,it will save you a lot of work.i would also consider glueing the hand grip to forearm,recoil will probably crack it at seams if you dont. old semperfi

PioneerSPL1990 · 10-27-2010, 07:54 PM

i used i wire wheel and a rasp to put some nasty grooves into the wood, the fiberglass stuck really well, i even fired it holding onto just the front grip, its solid as a rock. ill be uploading pics soon, the red rubberized paints not staying, just wanted to see how rubberized felt and get it on to try.

PioneerSPL1990 · 10-27-2010, 08:10 PM

the supplies

all fiber-glassed, next time ill definitely use woven not loose weave, and in smaller strips.

shaping with the rasp, using short strand fiberglass reinforced bondo.

changing up the look a little bit.

almost there.

should have primed and sanded a little better, but i was anxious to see it in action, definitely will be finished correctly soon.

not bad for a first time.

PioneerSPL1990 · 10-27-2010, 08:12 PM

wish i could find a tube extender for the 500A but as far as i know they don't make one, then get a longer bird barrel and match the length, that or get the knox sidewinder kit with the drum magazine.

JLA · 10-27-2010, 09:48 PM

two words for ya... bed liner... that stuff will stick to any clean surface and the herculiner they sell at wally world is textured rubber...

PioneerSPL1990 · 10-27-2010, 11:50 PM

ill have to get some that'll hide the little defects well.

Helix_FR · 10-28-2010, 09:52 AM

good move on the fiberglass. I was worried that you would go through that work and on your first pump ya split the grip at the screw head.

3/2 STA SS · 10-28-2010, 12:49 PM

Not to sound funny but did you just have alot of time on your hands? I know they sell vert.forend grips for that model shotgun.

JLA · 10-28-2010, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3/2 STA SS

Not to sound funny but did you just have alot of time on your hands? I know they sell vert.forend grips for that model shotgun.

ATI has one for the mossy 500s thats a AR15 grip with a matching rear...

3/2 STA SS · 10-29-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

ATI has one for the mossy 500s thats a AR15 grip with a matching rear...

Just seemed like a lot of work for the finished product.

PioneerSPL1990 · 10-29-2010, 07:49 PM

i like the pachmyer vindicators, they dont come with a vertical grip but look sharp, i hate the style of most of the ones on the market, it took about 4 hours total to do what i did so far.

3/2 STA SS · 10-30-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PioneerSPL1990

i like the pachmyer vindicators, they dont come with a vertical grip but look sharp, i hate the style of most of the ones on the market, it took about 4 hours total to do what i did so far.

And your wrist is healing as well

gregw · 04-08-2011, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3/2 STA SS

Just seemed like a lot of work for the finished product.

Hey, he has my nod for forging ahead and personalizing his shotgun.

There is a sense of pride you earn when you do something out of the box, against the grain, against societies expectations.

We live in a crazy superstore world, where we can buy anything we want, anytime. And it deprives all of us the opportunity....or even necessity to do it ourselves.

Good job! I appreciate your creative spirit and imagination!

Zhurh · 04-08-2011, 09:57 AM

Good deal. A couple of the locals around here whittled out gun stocks over the winter; turned out nice too, but I don't know how exact they were; just for killing caribou anyway.

I have a bunch of 200 year old American Chestnut and have been contemplating making a gun stock myself. I've made several guitars out of the same chestnut, just solid body strats & teles and they didn't sound much different than poplar or ash to me. Pretty hard to beat a Macmillan, but sure would look nicer I figure.

10-23-2010, 02:32 PM	#1
PioneerSPL1990 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canton, NY Posts: 12	Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! hey guys, im new to the forum, im 20 years old i like to hunt and play with guns, i've always had a strong interest in modifying my own guns, just haven't had the time and have been caught up in other expensive hobbies. Well today i decided to start building my own forend grip for my Mossberg model 500a 12ga, 18.25' barrel, currently it has a stock forend grip and a synthetic factory pistol grip that came with my fathers 500 many years ago, what i plan on doing is modifying my stock youth sized forend grip into a vertical pistol grip using a fishing pole grip, plenty of fiberglass and alot of sanding, and finish the entire piece with a rubberized coating, i plan to make it look seamless and one flowing piece, but yet unique enough so it stands out from all the others on the market, which in my opinion are ugly.... Ill post pics as i go, and yes... flame away. -->

10-23-2010, 03:31 PM	#2
PioneerSPL1990 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canton, NY Posts: 12	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! roughing up the grip with a rasp and wire wheel, and the wire wheel bit me! same with the fishing pole handle. next i lined up the handle and predrilled the grip and handle, i then counter sunk the screw, and mounted it. side shot, tab on handle will be ground off later. i used a sturdy rubberized ca glue to ensure that the handle stays in place for the rest of the finishing.

10-23-2010, 03:33 PM	#3
PioneerSPL1990 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canton, NY Posts: 12	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! then i ground down the screw head in the center so i could easily put the slide portion back into the grip.

10-23-2010, 03:53 PM	#4
Boris Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 607	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! Thats pretty neat. I look forward to finished pics!! You might get some rib poking, but hardly a flame here.....

10-26-2010, 02:32 PM	#5
PioneerSPL1990 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canton, NY Posts: 12	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! just got done final sanding, will have pics up later of the rest of the build.

10-26-2010, 05:22 PM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,294	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! your bottle of 'rubber' looks alot like ABS resin mixed with MEK we used to make when I worked in thermal plastics many moons ago. We called it 'Black Glue' __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

10-26-2010, 06:39 PM	#7
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! the next time you think about doing something like this you may want to consider paint stripper to remove finish,it will save you a lot of work.i would also consider glueing the hand grip to forearm,recoil will probably crack it at seams if you dont. old semperfi

10-27-2010, 07:54 PM	#8
PioneerSPL1990 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canton, NY Posts: 12	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! i used i wire wheel and a rasp to put some nasty grooves into the wood, the fiberglass stuck really well, i even fired it holding onto just the front grip, its solid as a rock. ill be uploading pics soon, the red rubberized paints not staying, just wanted to see how rubberized felt and get it on to try.

10-27-2010, 08:10 PM	#9
PioneerSPL1990 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canton, NY Posts: 12	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! the supplies all fiber-glassed, next time ill definitely use woven not loose weave, and in smaller strips. shaping with the rasp, using short strand fiberglass reinforced bondo. changing up the look a little bit. almost there. should have primed and sanded a little better, but i was anxious to see it in action, definitely will be finished correctly soon. not bad for a first time.

10-27-2010, 08:12 PM	#10
PioneerSPL1990 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canton, NY Posts: 12	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! wish i could find a tube extender for the 500A but as far as i know they don't make one, then get a longer bird barrel and match the length, that or get the knox sidewinder kit with the drum magazine.

10-27-2010, 09:48 PM	#11
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,294	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! two words for ya... bed liner... that stuff will stick to any clean surface and the herculiner they sell at wally world is textured rubber... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

10-27-2010, 11:50 PM	#12
PioneerSPL1990 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canton, NY Posts: 12	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! ill have to get some that'll hide the little defects well.

10-28-2010, 09:52 AM	#13
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! good move on the fiberglass. I was worried that you would go through that work and on your first pump ya split the grip at the screw head. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

10-28-2010, 12:49 PM	#14
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,435	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! Not to sound funny but did you just have alot of time on your hands? I know they sell vert.forend grips for that model shotgun.

10-29-2010, 07:49 PM	#17
PioneerSPL1990 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canton, NY Posts: 12	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! i like the pachmyer vindicators, they dont come with a vertical grip but look sharp, i hate the style of most of the ones on the market, it took about 4 hours total to do what i did so far. Last edited by PioneerSPL1990; 10-29-2010 at 07:50 PM..

04-08-2011, 09:57 AM	#20
Zhurh Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Upper Yukon, Alaska Posts: 1,807	Re: Introduction and shotgun forend Build log! Good deal. A couple of the locals around here whittled out gun stocks over the winter; turned out nice too, but I don't know how exact they were; just for killing caribou anyway. I have a bunch of 200 year old American Chestnut and have been contemplating making a gun stock myself. I've made several guitars out of the same chestnut, just solid body strats & teles and they didn't sound much different than poplar or ash to me. Pretty hard to beat a Macmillan, but sure would look nicer I figure.