Boats,
I'll buy the lawyer part.
And I'll also agree that it can be interpreted differently than how I read it. I just see it as the maximum width of the forearm is 3", and the maximum width of the bottom of the butt stock as being 2". If I'm wrong I'm sure Jim Borton (ASSRA Schuetzenmeister) will correct me.
Another thing you might consider is a Pope Style sled. I've used one on several guns and find it a great help in postitioning the gun on the front rest, and it will pretty well obviate the need for a flat bottomed butt stock. The Pope Style sled I use has a notch that fits into a pin on your front rest, like the bench resters use, and helps in positioning it in the same spot every shot. I've also found with the sled that you have to move it up and down the barrel to find the "sweet" spot. The big advantage I've found is that on the sub .38's it pretty well eliminates torque, and on the over .38's cuts it down quite a bit.
Some of our guys also switch butt and forends for bench and offhand, as well as some using a detachable slide. One thing to remember tho is that some matches require you to use only one gun setup for the whole, or series of, matches. This means that if you have your gun set up for bench you can't change stocks over for offhand. I've never seen this, but it's in the rule book so imagine it's used. So....... I think I'd put on a detachable slide on an offhand stock. Might not be the best of both worlds but sure would be better than trying bench with an offhand stock, or vice versa.
You're right about the recoil ....... if ....... the gun moves the same for every shot. This is something that rarely happens with guns set up in front and rear bags. It's especially tough with the design of the old SS's, and why I recommend using a Pope sled. That's why many of the .22 shooters in ASSRA competition will use a BSA Martini for bench and switch to something more handy for offhand. You can use either for both but it's a tough row to hoe.
Your sources for wgt. of the gun are right on. That's also why there's a 2" maximum diam. for the barrel on bench guns, and a minimum length of 21 1/2" for all guns.
Yep! All your ideas are fairly sound and are used by many...... UNTIL ...... they can afford a gun for each.
Been there and done that!
PETE