The recoil pad on the olders .444's is commonly called a "rock". ;D Just poke a screwdriver down in there and get a firm grip with pressure and the two screws will come right out.

Dave 8)

 

rex, here's a pic of the buttpad I took off my .444, you might not see the screws in the face of the pad but they are there. I suggest a little moisture on the screwdriver shaft for easier turning of the screws, there might be some wire brads holding on any spacer plate too. Mr fixit

 

OK
it is going to take some poking around cause their are no holes or indicators where the screws are, all other pads i have messed with have an indicator
in the rubber showing where the holes are, or even small holes this pad has nothimg but is good live rubber.

Thanks for the help

 

My new 444 butt pad is not much better than a rock. After shooting some what heavy loads , I took it to a gunsmith and he installed a Packmyer Decelerator pad--what a difference using the same and heaver loads.

 

I switched out the pad on mine for a Decelerator.

 

The Decelerator is a fine pad. My 'smith installed one on my old Savage .358 Win. What a difference!

 

I replaced the stock butt pad with this Pachmayr, I like my .444 much better! ;D Still need to work on the top of it some though. Mr fixit

 

I like that "rock" pad. It lets me know I'm not shooting some wimpy little small bore! Man up and shoot that bad boy!! ;D

 

Mr.Fixit, What scope and rings you got asitting there? Sure looks low, no danger of mistaking it for see-thru's ;D

I'm afraid I have some Medium Kwik-Site rings on mine and its just too #**& tall, gonna have to go lower with my scope or have my chin fixed like Jay Lenos ;D

 

Mr.Fixit, What scope and rings you got asitting there? Sure looks low, no danger of mistaking it for see-thru's ;D

I'm afraid I have some Medium Kwik-Site rings on mine and its just too #**& tall, gonna have to go lower with my scope or have my chin fixed like Jay Lenos ;D

Dirty Thirty, I wish I could tell you for certain, probably med Weavers, that's all been changed over, now I have a Nikon 1.6-5x36 with Weaver med quick release rings, haven't really gave it a wringing out yet, but plan to this summer. Mr fixit

 

I'd replace the pad but having to cut the stock down would greatly reduce the value of my rifle. I don't think the .444 kicks much.

 

Don't know who your comment is directed to Sportster, but my stock hasn't been cut and the butt pad is 1" thick, over all I think I gained 3/8" from the stock butt pad and to be honest I really like the way the cannon comes to the shoulder now....very comfortable for me. Mr fixit BTW... Like your avatar!

 

would greatly reduce the value of my rifle.

I always wonder about comments like this since I think a rifle I don't want to shoot has no value at all. I'm glad you followed up with this.

I don't think the .444 kicks much.

The way I think, a used and useful Marlin will always be worth as much as another. If one's been competently shortened and had a nice, effective buttpad installed, it's got as much value or maybe more than the one that's stock and needs to be cut down and have a pad installed. If you're going to keep it in the safe and let it "appreciate", I just don't understand that. :-\

 

Any change from factory condition reduces resale value. If you plan on keeping it the rest of your life it's a non-issue.

 

I agree as long as the originals are retained there is no issue. My .444 was so boogered up by the PO that I doubt I'd hurt it's value. I only paid $163.00 for it. It looks and shoots great now.