Rifleman Q&A: Lead Weights In Buttstocks?

posted on February 25, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
merged.jpg

Q: I have a Winchester Model 1892 with Serial No. 426XXX, and it is chambered for .25-20 Win. I recently disassembled the rifle for cleaning and stumbled across an oddity I’d yet to experience with firearms. Behind the buttplate of the stock was a hole drilled into the wood, and inside the hole were two, 3/4-oz. lead sinkers wrapped in a Red Cross Salt bag. What would be the reason for this type of modification?

A: I’ve had the good fortune to spend several decades in the role of gunsmith, and during that period I’ve discovered many interesting—and a few extraordinary—items hidden under buttplates. Most common were hunting licenses (a few actually being historically significant), statements of ownership, letters and even money.

A substantial number of objects consisted of lead, usually shot, but often sheets or small ingots, and, once, evidence of molten lead having been poured into the cavity. In every case the owner claimed to have no knowledge of these items, and, in truth, most of the firearms were quite old and typically shotguns.

It is my opinion that the placement of lead into the butt of the gun was done primarily to lessen felt recoil. Whether it had the desired effect is anybody’s guess, but the laws of physics do support the concept. How much lead is required will depend on the initial weight of the gun and the recoil generated.

The .25-20 Winchester cartridge in a firearm of this size does not produce sufficient recoil to inhibit the vast majority of shooters. I can report from experience that the long-barrel, rifle versions of the Model 92 are very “front-heavy,” at least compared to the carbine versions. In addition, because the bore is decidedly smaller than the larger chamberings, the .32-20 Win. and especially the .25-20 Win., have a balance point considerably further forward. More weight to the rear would improve the balance.

Because the lead weights are certainly not conveniently available, it would seem unlikely that they were placed there for any reason other than dead weight, perhaps simply to make the rifle easier to carry.

Latest

Tisas Px 57 Fo Raptor Web Gotw
Tisas Px 57 Fo Raptor Web Gotw

Gun Of The Week: Tisas PX-57 FO Raptor

Chambered for the unique 5.7x28 mm FN cartridge, the Tisas PX-57 FO Raptor is a polymer-frame handgun that provides a lot of capability in an affordable package.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 10, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: Smith & Wesson Spec Series V M&P 9 Metal HD

This latest enhancement from Smith & Wesson proves that good things can come from heavier, steel-framed packages.

Old Glory Bank, NRA Partner To Provide Banking Benefits To Members

Old Glory Bank and the National Rifle Association (NRA) recently entered into a joint marketing relationship to provide banking benefits to members of the NRA Business Alliance and NRA-affiliated clubs and associations.

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.