Fishbelly stock on a 1886?

[twoguns]

I just picked up my new to me-1986 made Browning model 1886 from my FFL buddy. I searched long and hard for this particular version. For a 24 year old rifle, it looks brand spanky new. I wont bore you with pics until I restock it and get all of the other work done. But, the straight grip stock has a fish belly curvature on the bottom. I've stocked many muzzleloading rifles and a few HP ones and never made one look like that. Is there some thing I don't know about rifle stocking- (entirely possible). It just looks a bit wierd to me. If'n it is meant to make the rifle recoil more inline wi\th the bore, why not design that into the receiver-tang geometry?

Happy Lever-gun newby with questions,

Ken

[Malamute]

I have a carbine, the stock shape doesnt bother me in the least, other than I'd prefer a shotgun butt. I've seen a few comments about the shape, it seems like it could be straightened out pretty easily with a rasp and sandpaper.


Is yours a rifle or carbine? I have a rifle also, I cut it to 22", installed a good receiver sight and sling swivel studs, and swapped for a shotgun butt from an 1886 Lightweight. The octagon barrel is going to get turned round also, to lighten it up.

[RSY]

I'm no engineer, but maybe the tang geometry you mention needed to be a certain angle/arrangement in order for the lever to be properly placed. I agree, the stocks have always looked a little weird to me, but I've gotten used to them.

[Buck Elliott]

Levers can be made to fit the tang.

FWIW on my .454 rifle, I did change the angle of the tangs, for just that reason.
edit: Not to get rid of the fishbelly, but to straighten the stock geometry and raise the comb line...

[Hobie]

I'm living with it. Can't see it when I'm shooting. Didn't bother the Savage 99s with such...

[Abilene]

I believe some of the old Winchesters had somewhat of a belly on 'em. Abilene

[model55]

I happen to like the perch bellyed stocks I've seen both on Savages and the one model 94 I saw!