Benjamin Marauder thumb rest install issue

[Racer88]

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.

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.

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]

Send that part back and go buy a bolt from the hardware store.
Cut to length.
Or get your DREMEL and carve a deeper groove in the stock.

 

[Racer88]

Send that part back and go buy a bolt from the hardware store.
Cut to length.

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.

Or get your DREMEL and carve a deeper groove in the stock.

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.

 

[6gun]

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!

I went nuclear after blowing my air stripper and baffles to chips with a double feed fiasco.

 

[Racer88]

I went nuclear after blowing my air stripper and baffles to chips with a double feed fiasco.

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.

 

[6gun]

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.

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.

 

[RobBonnell89]

Try to loosen the stock before you put it in. If that doesn’t work just grind the stock a hair deeper. You’ll never see where you grind anyways. Those guys thumb rest are really nice to have.

Rob

 

[Racer88]

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.

So I changed the bit to something more aggressive.

Finished result:

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.

 

[Gerry52]

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.

 

[Racer88]

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.

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.

I'll just say this... I do extremely precise work with my hands every day. I didn't nick anything with the dremel.