A friend has a Rem 870 which is approximately 30 years old and the rubber in the recoil pad has become hard. Are there methods to soften the pad? The friend thought soaking in WD40 might work, but I suggested I would post the question here to see if any other suggests might come forth. I know he could just replace the pad, but he wants to keep the same pad and just soften the rubber.

after time they just get hard and brittle,all the oil in the rubber goes away,i have tried to soak pads in everything from wd-40 to mineral oil with no avail.they wont soak it up.replaecment is the only thing i have found.maybe some one else has had better luck,i would like to know also.

Ditch it. Try a Decelerator, that's what I have on my 870.