Dave at kelton Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 So, having bought a Yildiz I want to change the schnabel forend which I hate with a passion. I hold the gun well forward so find it very uncomfortable. I am proposing to tape over the majority and then gently sand away with the grain until I have removed the edge forming a rounded end. I will refinish when I have the desired shape Does anyone have any advice or comments on this as a proposal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spr1985 Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 I’ve no knowledge on altering wood on guns so I shall refrain from comment on that and leave it to those more knowledgeable. The only thing I would say is bare in mind any alteration to the gun will likely void any warranty that it may carry. Although it is technically only an aesthetic modification we all know how companies like to get out of any warranty/insurance by any means possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) I don’t hold my guns that far forward, but I know exactly what you mean as I too hate a schnabel fore-end. I much prefer a trap fore-end and have made various enquiries in various places about a replacement, regarding my Gamba, but to no avail. I’ve considered doing the same with the Gamba, and while it isn’t the quality of the wood which is putting me off, having drawn a line via my minds eye through the shape I want, I don’t think there’d be a lot of meat left as it were, to create the look I like, as the fire-end at that point is very slim. Just something to bear in mind. Edited March 2, 2023 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted March 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 21 minutes ago, Spr1985 said: I’ve no knowledge on altering wood on guns so I shall refrain from comment on that and leave it to those more knowledgeable. The only thing I would say is bare in mind any alteration to the gun will likely void any warranty that it may carry. Although it is technically only an aesthetic modification we all know how companies like to get out of any warranty/insurance by any means possible. Thanks it’s second hand so that is not a worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 Sounds like a good plan to me … go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, Dave at kelton said: So, having bought a Yildiz I want to change the schnabel forend which I hate with a passion. I hold the gun well forward so find it very uncomfortable. I am proposing to tape over the majority and then gently sand away with the grain until I have removed the edge forming a rounded end. I will refinish when I have the desired shape Does anyone have any advice or comments on this as a proposal? If the wood is stained you may find that matching the stain...or even matching the correct "sheen" of the varnish is nigh impossible. The only advice I'd give is to wet the grain to raise it before the final sanding, have a known straight edge to check against such as a steel rule, metal bar or somesuch and every now and again stand back and see what you have so far achieved. You really can stand too close go the wood to see the forest. Edited March 2, 2023 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 I once had a Beretta eell that I had a similar problem with. A local gunsmith, who had a particular talent with wood, rounded off the front of the forend and it was a great job. So it is possible, he used a surform file to shape it, then various grades of sandpaper to finish it. Some stock oil and job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 I would take it to a stocker - someone with a good reputation. To such a person this would be a quick routine job and not costly. It will be easy enough to find out re Yildiz finish to make it consistent if you ring the importer. I think they are called Raytrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 Make a block of wood that fits snugly in the forend and extends for a couple of inches back and front . This will enable you to hold it in a vice or clamp it to a bench. Doing this will not only make it easier as well as lessening risk of damage /splitting. I always did it this when working on O/U forend woods be it altering , renovating and finishing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 Dave, I think you would have to be a very committed DIYer to take this on - or just a lot more brave than me perhaps 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 I assume that the Yildiz has a Deeley latch as opposed to a Anson push button. I don’t think that the latter would leave sufficient wood to make a flowing line and look right. Whereas I’m sure that a decent job could be done with a Deeley latch type fore end. I’ve often thought of doing the same but my O/Us all have Anson push buttons and don’t look as though it would work. I cannot imagine, given adequate amount of wood to play with, it would be an awkward job to do. I’m no expert woodworker but I think that I could make a reasonable job of it, even if it meant a complete refinish of the wood. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 Easy job make sure you support the forend from getting crushed gunman’s way is simple and effective. Won’t take long but make sure your lines follow through true or it will look out of place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted March 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2023 Thanks to everyone for the great advice. I will assess the forend in detail and then crack on when I can get an undisturbed day. Hope to photograph a successful project to post 🤞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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