Stock material, wood vs synthetic vs other

[streetstang67]

I see a lot of people with really nice rifles with features like a laminated stock with fancy carvings and a finish so shiny that the smalles fingerprint shows up like black on white. I couldn't possibly have a gun like that, I'd be afraid to use it, it might get scratched or dented. This is my reason for having a synthetic stock on my rifle. What do yall think about these nice stocks on guns intended to be taken into a cramped metal deer stand. I just can't reason it..?

I do like the way a laminate stock looks, but I don't think it would stay looking that nice for long if it was actually used

 

[ArmedBear]

Modern laminate stocks can be quite durable. More or less, think of them as hardwood cast in plastic resin: the look and feel of wood, with many advantages of synthetic.

Your choice certainly makes sense, though.

And... Some people have a lot of cash so they don't care, and some people view dings in their walnut as souvenirs of the hunt.

 

[JohnBT]

It took me a long time to realize a beat-up walnut stock still looks better than a synthetic stock - beat-up or otherwise. Everyone doesn't feel the same way, but think about how people fall all over themselves when they see an old milsurp or 1911. They don't care too much about honest wear do they?

OTOH, two of my three duck guns are synthetic and the other is an 870 with a tiswood stock. Say it slowly... 'tis wood.

John

 

[SomeKid]

It is all about personal opinion. Personally, I am not a guy who goes for customization. (With very few exceptions.) Believe it or not, the only thing I have added to my AR is a sling. I like originals.

(But I have to agree with John, a stock that has been there and done that looks awesome. Every time I see my Garand I wish it could talk.)

 

[Lou629]

While i do have two in the new-fangled synthetic stuff, give me the traditional walnut & blue steel every time, it just looks better to me.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I've beat up a number of new wooden stocks and always cringe the first time... so when I bought a new rifle to take into the woods in 3rd season I bought one I wouldn't care if I scratched. So a black plastic and stainless rifle followed me home.

I didn't buy it to be pretty.

I like the feel of wood, I prefer the look. I hate the high-gloss polyurethane finish that you see on some 'high end' rifles. But when it comes to not worrying nothing beats plastic/fiberglass.

Though I have seen a BAR (the full auto one) with an aluminum buttstock...

As far as laminates go, the Mauser 98k looks a lot different than the striated stocks we see today. Not all laminates are created equal.

The perfect stock is an oil finish that can be wiped off (dull) or glossed up before it goes out... any small blemish can be buffed with an oily rag.

Just my thoughts.

 

[TallPine]

the guy i've been working for part time has an old Remington 788 bouncing around with the other tools on the floorboard of his pickup - the stock hasn't a bit of finish and looks like an old shovel handle that has been out in the sun and rain

but the coyotes and other vermin can't tell the difference i guess

 

[streetstang67]

I didn't realize that wood laminate finishes really are quite durable....while plain synthetic wins no beauty contest, I think I'll go with it because it is more dent resistant and cheaper.
Thanks for the input

 

[orionengnr]

Laminates are quite durable and, due to the "grain/layers", hide dings pretty well. I used to look at synthetics and say, "Yeah!", but having carried and shot a few, they are way too muzzle heavy. A plain old walnut stock is well-balanced, and a laminate is well balanced, hides flaws better...and can be drop dead gorgeous, shiny or dull.

 

[Rembrandt]

There are those that take care of their guns.....others don't.....some can't bear the thought of a scratch so they opt for a scratch resistant surface.

Wrecking a nicely finished gun when you know the possibility exists is the same as stock car racing a Bentley on a 1/4 mile dirt track.

The exception seems to be target guns (Shotguns-rifle silhoutte-bench rest, etc).....here you can have a nice finish without beating it up.