Help removing MPA recoil plate

Reaper 31

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  • Mar 26, 2018
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    Can someone help me figure out how to remove the recoil pad from the stock? I already removed the threaded screws that tighten down the recoil plate but it doesn't simply slide out as I thought it would.
     

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    Put on a vice and darn thing still won't come off. I was going to call MPA tomorrow anyway so I'll see if Theo can help me out. I'm just trying to break it down to have it re coated.
     
    That's what I was suspecting too. I might try to secure it to a vice and tap it out.
    Best bet might be driving the two roll pins out of the recoil pad mounting plate so you can get to the posts individually.
    They look totally round and in my opinion should have a flat milled on them for the set screw to jam up against and prevent the situation you have now.
     
    With the roll pins removed, I don't see how you're going to have any way to engage the posts ... if you enlarge the picture and look closely where the set screws go, you can see the have created some pretty significant impact and burs on the posts ... when you try to slide it out the buts will come in contact with the bores on the butt plate.
    Hammering it out might damage the softer aluminum.... your best bet might be to see if you can remove the burs created by the set screws ... maybe find or drill them down with a Dremel deburring attachment and then see if you can get the posts to slide out of the aluminum bores in the buttstock?
     
    I just had a look at my but plate and there are flats milled into the buttock posts but they can be “out of time” when they were installed and may not be lined up with the set screws (see pic). One of mine is slightly misaligned…
     

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    Yup if it's not just sliding out or even a little play then those set screws were set too tight and left burrs. I would just give it some smacks and maybe try and pry it a little and get it out and then grind the burrs off the rods. Scratching the inside of the chassis in that area won't hurt anything.
     
    I just had a look at my but plate and there are flats milled into the buttock posts but they can be “out of time” when they were installed and may not be lined up with the set screws (see pic). One of mine is slightly misaligned…
    I was just about to post this from MPAs website. Looks like that's where the hang up is
     

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    The flats are nice to line up but you don’t have to have them perfect. I have had about 6 MPA chassis and all but the last were second hand and the flats didn’t line up. This below is the new Matrix II I have and even it was a little off. Also it has 4 screws on the butt pad and two are on the round as you can see from below. I wouldn’t sweat your issue too much. Just give it some force and get it out and smooth down the rods and they will slide back in no problem.

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    On mine I used a wooden dowl and my orange 3lb hammer. It came out after a few good raps with the hammer. After that I sanded down the pins and it slides in and out with just the right amount of resistance.
     
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    Yea. Zooming in looks like the set screws cratered a bit and that lip is probably keepin it locked up.

    I’d try to either take a punch and hammer them down flat. Or if that didn’t work then I’d get an end I’ll bit in there and try to clear off those high spots.
     
    I had to secure the recoil plate to a vice and tapped it off the stock. Took a little force but after it cleared the burs it came right off. I'll be sending it off for cerakoting here soon. Just waiting to hear back from MPA on how much they charge....

    Thanks everyone
     

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