From: scot@hpfcla.fc.hp.com (Scot Heath)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Ghostring sight for a Remington 870?
Date: 17 Nov 92 18:32:00 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Fort Collins Site

The Polymath (hollombe@polymath.tti.com) wrote:

(Some other stuff)

: Oh, yes --- and recoil suppressors (the kind that get built into the
: stock).  Any recommendations?  Good/bad experiences?

There are a lot of recoil suppressors that get "built" into the stock.  They
can be broken down into 3 groups:

1) Weight/spring  These are the Breako's, the C&H, the Dead Mule, etc.
   They amount to using mass and/or a spring to widen the recoil pulse and
   in some cases, re-direct it via an angled deflection of the mass.

   ADVANTAGES:    Easy to install, most require drilling a 7/8" or 1" hole
                  in the stock parallel to the barrel and dropping them in.

                  Cost is around $50 retail.

   DISADVANTAGES: They are only somewhat effective.


2) Air/Oil damped moving butt.  The two biggies here are the Counter Coil
   and the Soft Touch.  They are basically oil or air dashpots (shock
   absorbers) with internal springs to return the butt to it's nominal
   position.

   ADVANTAGES:    They work very well.  Since there is a dashpot involved, the
                  recoil is spread out over a longer time but some energy is
                  also dissipated.

                  Both brands may be made to incorporate "sliding combs".
                  In this arrangement, the comb and the part of the recoil
                  reducer which contacts the shoulder are fixed and the gun
                  "slides" under the shooters face.  This is very
                  comfortable to shoot.

   DISADVANTAGES: They are difficult to install.  The Counter Coil and the
                  Soft Touch both require the stock to be shortened approx.
                  3/4" to retain the original length of pull.  They also
                  require 3 somewhat precise holes to be drilled
                  perpendicular to the butt of the gun.  Not an easy task
                  without a jig and a mill.

                  Expense.  Typical installation of the reducer is $150 -
                  $200.  If the sliding comb is desired, tack on an
                  additional $150 - $300.

                  Both the Counter Coil and the Soft Touch collapse if the
                  gun is held tightly to the shoulder.  People who use them
                  get used to this and have good luck with them.  I
                  personally find this annoying.


3) Counter acting impact device.  This is the device manufactured by
   Browning and installed by them in their BT-99+ and Citori+ only.  The
   device is basically a giant automatic center punch.  It consists of a
   weight with a hole in the center and a small plunger held off to the
   side of the hole by a conical spring.  As the conical spring is
   collapsed, the mass is pushed back against a spring until finally, the
   plunger moves to the center of the hole in the mass and the mass "snaps"
   forward.  This causes the recoil to be spread out into 2 small, wide
   pulses rather than one large one.

   ADVANTAGES:    They work very well.  Effectiveness of this system is as
                  good or (in my opinion) better than than 2).

                  The difficulty to install is between 1) and 2).  Only one
                  hole needs to be drilled but it must be recessed so a
                  mill is still very useful.

                  Unlike the systems in 2), the portion of this system
                  which contacts the shooter's shoulder is very stiff and 
                  will not collapse when the gun is held tightly.

                  This system may also be made to incorporate the 
                  "sliding combs" but as far as I know, only one shop does
                  this, mine!

   DISADVANTAGES: Expense.  Typical installation of the reducer is $150 -
                  $200.  If the sliding comb is desired, tack on an
                  additional $150 - $300.

I have installed all these systems in various guns and have shot nearly all
of them.  I have chosen the Browning system for all my competition guns.  I
like the stiffness during mount, especially when I shoot sporting clays
since uniform gun mount is important and it is difficult to get a uniform
mount with pieces that move.

Let me know if you're interested in having me do the work for you.  I
really don't advertise on the net but this is such an extremely good fit
with most of the work I do, I couldn't resist!  I'd recommend looking 
around locally since I'm sure there are 'smiths there who will be glad to 
take your money.