Barrel Support Insert

In my research I learned that the pistol or gun should have about half of it proud of the piece it's inserted into.  Since the pistol will be supported by a 1" thick layer of upholstery foam covered with leather beneath the board it's inserted into, the barrel would be way to low once the pistol is strapped down.  To solve that problem I decided to mortise in a piece of mahogany to support the end of the barrel.  I could have used a router but prefer hand tools when ever possible.  Something about the quiet process of using a mallet, chisel, and my router plane that soothes the soul and makes me feel as if  I'm really connecting to the work.  What you're looking at in the photo is the bottom of the board.