How to Remove a Rubber Recoil Pad

Boot Style

• 1

  Unload the gun. Remove the bolt and magazine. Insert the tip of a putty knife under the rubber lip of the recoil pad. Work it down gently, rocking it back and forth to loosen the thin rubber. If it will not go down all the way or gets stuck, apply a small amount of Vaseline to the knife and try again.

• 2

  Slide the knife around the perimeter of the boot, separating it from the stock.

• 3

  Insert the tip of an air nozzle into the rubber lip. Blow a short burst of air into the boot. Move the air nozzle around the boot, blowing air into the boot, separating it from the stock. Hold the gun with one hand, pull on the back of the boot with the other hand and rock it back and forth until it slides off.

Bolt-On Style

• 4

  Unscrew the two screws on the back of the recoil pad and remove them.

• 5

  Insert the tip of a putty knife between the pad and the back of the stock. Pry up on the pad. Work your way around the perimeter of the pad, loosening it from any adhesive.

• 6

  Insert the tip of a screwdriver into the crack and finish prying off the pad. If part of the pad breaks off and remains on the stock, remove it with a chisel. Finish by scraping off any old residue with the chisel.