Benjamin Marauder thumb rest install issue

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Racer88

Racer88

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May 29, 2025
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www.patriotgunbuilders.com
So, being that I have an issue "short stroking" the bolt on my new Marauder, which annoyingly results in a failure to cock the hammer.... I purchased a thumb rest from Airgun Revisions. Seemed like it might be a help for me to more positively cycle the bolt thus avoiding the failure to cock. And a simple "mod," too.

1751837415597.png


Only problem... it doesn't fit. It appears the threaded part of the barrel sits just slightly below the cut-out in the wood stock. So, I cannot get the thumb rest to engage the threads. It won't go in straight. The wood won't allow it to align properly to engage the threads.

thumb-rest.jpg


It would seem my choices are to grind down the wood, which is going to look like poop (hesitant to do that).... or toss the thumb rest in the garbage and consider it a fairly minor $23 mistake. :)

Unless someone here has another suggestion! Thanks!
 
Frank in Fairfield said:
Send that part back and go buy a bolt from the hardware store.
Cut to length.
Click to expand...

That would present the same issue. The stock will be in the way for any bolt that fits, eh?

I got the nice AR thumb rest because it will look better than a silver-colored hex-head bolt from Home Depot.

Frank in Fairfield said:
Or get your DREMEL and carve a deeper groove in the stock.
Click to expand...

While I'm quite good with a Dremel (built several P80 Glock "80%" clones).... I'd rather not alter the stock (and remove the surface stain). And if I do that, and the part STILL doesn't fit, I'm going to be pissed at myself.

But it looks like I won't be able to use it. Not the first time I've been disappointed by an accessory I bought and had to toss it.

Though, I'm curious if anyone else ran into this issue with this gadget.
 
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Racer88 said:
So, being that I have an issue "short stroking" the bolt on my new Marauder, which annoyingly results in a failure to cock the hammer.... I purchased a thumb rest from Airgun Revisions. Seemed like it might be a help for me to more positively cycle the bolt thus avoiding the failure to cock. And a simple "mod," too.

View attachment 576215

Only problem... it doesn't fit. It appears the threaded part of the barrel sits just slightly below the cut-out in the wood stock. So, I cannot get the thumb rest to engage the threads. It won't go in straight. The wood won't allow it to align properly to engage the threads.

View attachment 576214

It would seem my choices are to grind down the wood, which is going to look like poop (hesitant to do that).... or toss the thumb rest in the garbage and consider it a fairly minor $23 mistake. :)

Unless someone here has another suggestion! Thanks!
Click to expand...
I went nuclear after blowing my air stripper and baffles to chips with a double feed fiasco.

20231122_105808.jpg
 
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6gun said:
I went nuclear after blowing my air stripper and baffles to chips with a double feed fiasco.
Click to expand...

I had a couple of double-feeds when I took the gun out the first time. No fiascos that I know of.

But I've learned to stop when it doesn't fire.... remove the mag... close the bolt. Fire the chambered pellet. Then put the mag back in. Of course, I do this while cursing at the same time.

It's maybe my one complaint about the Marauder. Cycling the bolt completely is a bit of a deliberate and forceful process.
 
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Racer88 said:
I had a couple of double-feeds when I took the gun out the first time. No fiascos that I know of.

But I've learned to stop when it doesn't fire.... remove the mag... close the bolt. Fire the chambered pellet. Then put the mag back in. Of course, I do this while cursing at the same time.

It's maybe my one complaint about the Marauder. Cycling the bolt completely is a bit of a deliberate and forceful process.
Click to expand...
I just learned I didn't care for rear bolt guns and went sidelever on any future buys. It was my first lesson in a double feed with the mrod years ago. I make the bolt ez to use and then realize the gun will probably be my loaner going forward. It's a gen 1 I've had for 15 years.
 
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I decided the wood stock is not sacrosanct. Out came the mini Dremel.

At first I tried a diamond bit, but it was too slow in removal of wood.
20250706_192439.jpg


So I changed the bit to something more aggressive.

20250706_192601.jpg


Finished result:

20250706_193059.jpg
20250706_193132.jpg
20250706_193314.jpg


Today I also installed the Hawke flip-up covers for my scope. Much better than the elastic "bikini" type covers that came with the scope. But a bit pricey for what they are.

20250706_193901.jpg
20250706_193937.jpg
 
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Gerry52 said:
Next time REMOVE THE STOCK. That way no danger of drill bit or reamer slipping & maybe damage those threads on the Marauder. You can see where that bit nicked the threads.
Click to expand...

Actually I didn't nick anything with the Dremel.

Those marks were from when I tried to screw in the thumb rest before I modified the wood.

Here is a zoomed in look (of the same photo in the OP) before I did anything with the dremel. you can see the black coating came off easily from trying to screw in the thumb rest.

1751850901339.png


I'll just say this... I do extremely precise work with my hands every day. I didn't nick anything with the dremel. ;)
 
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Gerry52 said:
Next time REMOVE THE STOCK. That way no danger of drill bit or reamer slipping & maybe damage those threads on the Marauder. You can see where that bit nicked the threads.
Click to expand...

I really like that mod, glad it worked out. I have a couple of rifles with the bolt action. I usually use a single shot tray. Have you tried one yet? I have better accuracy with them than a magazine.

From a knuckle dragger perspective, I agree with removing the stock first. I think the Marauder only has one stock bolt like my Regal?

I am not much of a wood worker, wouldn't a rasp / file be a better tool?

The last thing I would trust myself with would be a Dremel.
 
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Racer88 said:
I decided the wood stock is not sacrosanct. Out came the mini Dremel.

At first I tried a diamond bit, but it was too slow in removal of wood.
View attachment 576265

So I changed the bit to something more aggressive.

View attachment 576266

Finished result:

View attachment 576267View attachment 576271View attachment 576268

Today I also installed the Hawke flip-up covers for my scope. Much better than the elastic "bikini" type covers that came with the scope. But a bit pricey for what they are.

View attachment 576269View attachment 576270
Click to expand...
Looks good. How you like the thumb rest? Once you add one and figure out best way to cock it becomes easier. I use two fingers and grip the bolt as close to bolt as possible. Kinda akward at first but becomes a habit.
 
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maxtrouble said:
I am not much of a wood worker, wouldn't a rasp / file be a better tool?

The last thing I would trust myself with would be a Dremel.
Click to expand...

With a rasp / file you would HAVE to remove the stock, of course.

The advantage of leaving the stock on is I can remove a little and quickly check to see if there is clearance by trying in the thumb rest. Not enough... back to light Dremeling.... rinse and repeat with very small increments.

I'm quite good with a Dremel. :) I've built many "80%" Glock clone frames. Here's an example of how I finish the rails and RSA channel on one: I'm a "smooooooooth operator." ;)

PGB-channel-and-rails.jpg


RobBonnell89 said:
Looks good. How you like the thumb rest? Once you add one and figure out best way to cock it becomes easier. I use two fingers and grip the bolt as close to bolt as possible. Kinda akward at first but becomes a habit.
Click to expand...

I haven't taken it to the range, yet. I think the key is to be very deliberate every time. I think I'm in a hurry and cycling the bolt like I do my centerfire bolt-action rifles.... MUCH smoother than this. With this, I think my instincts are to return the bolt when I hit that resistance (like I do with my PB rifles), which in this case needs to be surpassed to cock the "hammer." I just have to remember to go PAST that resistance.
 
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Racer88 said:
Actually I didn't nick anything with the Dremel.

Those marks were from when I tried to screw in the thumb rest before I modified the wood.

Here is a zoomed in look (of the same photo in the OP) before I did anything with the dremel. you can see the black coating came off easily from trying to screw in the thumb rest.

View attachment 576306

I'll just say this... I do extremely precise work with my hands every day. I didn't nick anything with the dremel. ;)
Click to expand...
Glad you didn't & only appeared that way 🙂 BTW, I sometimes have the same issue with my Edgun r3 ("short stroking"). I could use a thumb rest like yours but would have to drill into stock to fix it & I don't want to do that. Luckily it's a single loader so no worries about double feeding. What it affects is the speed of a follow up shot if needed. I can live with it as it doesn't occur too often.
 
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Racer88 said:
I decided the wood stock is not sacrosanct. Out came the mini Dremel.

At first I tried a diamond bit, but it was too slow in removal of wood.
View attachment 576265

So I changed the bit to something more aggressive.

View attachment 576266

Finished result:

View attachment 576267View attachment 576271View attachment 576268

Today I also installed the Hawke flip-up covers for my scope. Much better than the elastic "bikini" type covers that came with the scope. But a bit pricey for what they are.

View attachment 576269View attachment 576270
Click to expand...
I accept your apology.
You did what I suggested!
 
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