Rubber butt pad maintenance after 50+yrs

[Scot Cardillo]

Not a double gun, but a treasured Ithaca model 37 20ga (circa’ 1969 or 1970?).

Factory fitted with the nice butt pad shown below. Pad’s in great shape with no tears or cracks from dry rot that I see and it still seems to be supple despite its age. I know for a fact the pad’s had a light wipe with Hoppe’s before storage from time to time over the yrs, but mainly it’s just been stored in a safe dry place. I’m not necessarily inclined to treat the pad with anything but I can’t help to wonder what someone might use to treat this style of pad to keep it supple and/or prevent future cracking/dry rot?

[Bill Murphy]

I've never had a good pad go bad while I owned the gun.

[Scot Cardillo]

I've never had a good pad go bad while I owned the gun.

Appreciate that. I’ve never owned a gun with this type of pad but have definitely seen my share of similar pads that are pretty rough..often appearing to be from age. I’m happy this one’s in good shape.

[Stephen Hodges]

I love that pad:):)

[Rick Roemer]

I would store the gun upside down to avoid undue stress on that excellent pad. Nice pad!

[Stan Hillis]

I was told that a good wipe down with pure silicone from time to time would extend the useful life of a rubber recoil pad, but I cannot confirm the truthfulness of that.

[Scot Cardillo]

I’ve used silicone spray for the rubber seals on our vehicles and also for marine applications over the years - it does seem to keep rubber items supple & clean. Ballistol also claims to be suitable for rubber. Storing the gun upside down after a routine wipe when using the gun is great advice.

I, too really like the pad quite a bit and definitely want to keep it in good shape. My Dad bought this gun about a year after I was born and it probably has a lot to do with my strong affinity for bird dogs and western skies.

[Jerry Harlow]

Ballistol. Never had a rubber pad collapse if it is placed fully on the floor of wherever it is stored. Never stored just on one spot or cockeyed. But did have a Pachmayr Triple Magnum collapse because the little hard rubber with a pin that goes in the top hole to contact the screw to keep it off the floor was not inserted. Lot of foam in that pad.