Jenrick
Member
What exactly are the pro's and con's to using a thumbhole stock on a high power center fire rifle? I've done some looking around on line and I haven't really seen anyone answer that question.
Thanks,
-Jenrick
Thanks,
-Jenrick
Thumbhole stocks Pro's/Con's
- Thread starter Jenrick
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Abel
Member
Con is that if its a righty, you won't be loaning it to your left handed buddy.
Con is that if its a lefty, you won't be loaning it to your right handed buddy.
I'm shocked nobody mentioned anything like this sooner. (Abel came close)
I never shot a thumbhole stock other than dry fire. I think it gives a little more of a definite location for consistent hand position. It also seems to let you pull with a your finger in a better way, not as likely to pull left or right.
Other stocks can accomplish this. I have tried some of the McMillan (or similar)and they feel great in the trigger hand.
The con on any stock is if you don't feel like it fits you then you may not shoot as well as if it fit.
I'm shocked nobody mentioned anything like this sooner. (Abel came close)
I never shot a thumbhole stock other than dry fire. I think it gives a little more of a definite location for consistent hand position. It also seems to let you pull with a your finger in a better way, not as likely to pull left or right.
Other stocks can accomplish this. I have tried some of the McMillan (or similar)and they feel great in the trigger hand.
The con on any stock is if you don't feel like it fits you then you may not shoot as well as if it fit.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I find them to be very comfortable. Better positioning for trigger control, as mentioned. Typically a higher cheekpiece for a good, solid cheek weld. They are attractive, not like a grand old British sporting rifle but not ugly. It's a little slower to get ahold of the bolt but they generally work pretty well.
Col. Plink
Member
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What's not to love?
Ditch-Tiger
Member
Off the top of my head...
Pros-
reduces felt recoil
points better
stability
Cons-
heavy
non-ambi
hard to reach controls (safety)
Pros-
reduces felt recoil
points better
stability
Cons-
heavy
non-ambi
hard to reach controls (safety)
For "tactical" rifles, the AICS stocks are among the most ergonomic, tough, rigid, practical and best looking stocks available at any price. I don't even consider other stocks when building a new rifle. I've tried numerous stocks on all kinds of rifles and still prefer the AICS over anything else.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
From reflexes developed with conventional stocks, I bang my thumb when I go to operate the bolt. Gotta go sideways before going up. Bummer. Slows things down.
Okay at the bench, I guess...
Okay at the bench, I guess...
I've noticed I work less hard to shoot accurately and consistently using the thumbhole stock. The thumbhole stock is on a Rem 700 and I think the ergonomics are friendly, metal to wood, but the thumbhole stock is heavy from all the resin they use.
My Sauer 202 Deluxe has an exagerated drop at the hand grip compared to my Kimber Longmaster Classic or my Ruger #1V which have a straighter stock design. The exagerated drop on the 202 makes it more in line with the thumbhole by comparison and again ... it is easier to shoot accurately and consistently.
My Sauer 202 Deluxe has an exagerated drop at the hand grip compared to my Kimber Longmaster Classic or my Ruger #1V which have a straighter stock design. The exagerated drop on the 202 makes it more in line with the thumbhole by comparison and again ... it is easier to shoot accurately and consistently.
Jenrick
Member
I appreciate the responses. Has anyone had a problem with recoil on a thumbhole once it starts to get towards the higher recoiling cartridges (big/dangerous game rounds)?
-Jenrick
-Jenrick
rozziboy18
Member
amen! we often forget about our left handed comrads!
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nastynatesfish
Member
I hhad one on a savage 110 7mm mag from boyds and I loved it! Factory rifle minus the stock and my brother-in-laws 270 kicked worse. I like the feel of it, not hard to reach the safety at all IMO. A littke more weight but you don't have to worry about it warping on you like a regular walnut or the likes. 2 things that I allways use for rifle upgrades, boyds and ershaw. I'm ordering the bobby hart lrt from boyds with my next bonus for my Remington 700 7mm rem mag.
Carter
Member
The thumbhole stock of the FN 2000 feels great to me. Never shot it though, just fondled in the store.
dubbleA
Member
1858 said:
My thoughts exactly.
Hunterdad
Member
I fell in love with TH stocks when I got my Savage BTVS in .22mag. My wife is (I hope) getting me a Marlin XL7 for Christmas and my first purchase the day after Christmas will be a Boyds stock for it.
1858 wrote "For "tactical" rifles, the AICS stocks are among the most ergonomic, tough, rigid, practical and best looking stocks available at any price. I don't even consider other stocks when building a new rifle. I've tried numerous stocks on all kinds of rifles and still prefer the AICS over anything else. "
I went to the AICS website, the stocks look pretty impressive but I always cringe when the manufacturer doesn't publish prices. How much did one set you back?
I went to the AICS website, the stocks look pretty impressive but I always cringe when the manufacturer doesn't publish prices. How much did one set you back?
Freedom_fighter_in_IL
Member
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- Aug 30, 2010
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- 2,097
Have to agree with what most have said on here. For long distance shooting, you will be hard pressed to find a better type of stock. The angle that the TH type stock puts your hand in promotes a better trigger squeeze. Much more comfortable on the wrist with less pressure. I also had a couple of mine made with a slight angle made into the "grip" to allow for the natural flow from arm to wrist to palm. Took a little bit of getting used to in my form but once I got it down, I did find it to feel more natural and comes to target very nicely.
They are a little heavier than a sporter stock style but not so much as to really make THAT much of a difference. They can be ugly or they can be one of the prettiest pieces you will ever see on a firearm. I have seen many works of art on a firearm and many of those have been thumb hole style competition stocks.
They can slow you down in quick follow up in bolt operations at first, but if you practice, that is easily overcome. I can operate all of mine just as quickly as I can my sporter style stock bolts. It's just a matter of practice.
They are a little heavier than a sporter stock style but not so much as to really make THAT much of a difference. They can be ugly or they can be one of the prettiest pieces you will ever see on a firearm. I have seen many works of art on a firearm and many of those have been thumb hole style competition stocks.
They can slow you down in quick follow up in bolt operations at first, but if you practice, that is easily overcome. I can operate all of mine just as quickly as I can my sporter style stock bolts. It's just a matter of practice.
flashhole said:
I bought my first two a few years back from Impact Guns for around $750 each (1.5 models). I bought my latest earlier this year from www.milehighshooting.com but got dealer pricing on it. It's a folder (2.0 model) and was $900 or something like that. MHS is a good outfit and the owner is a really nice lady and a shooter herself. Here's a link to the AICS stocks and my only regret is that I didn't buy the 2.0 model from the start. Don't get me wrong, the 1.5 models are EXCELLENT stocks but the folding feature is definitely worth the added cost.
http://www.milehighshooting.com/index.cfm?id=278798&fuseaction=browse&pageid=71
Ive got a thumb hole on my .300 and my .17hmr. Ive found that they are a bit slower get into firing position then a standard sporter stock while hunting, but not prohibitively so. Like anything else you need to practice with them if your going to use them. You CAN also fire them left handed, but your holding it like a benchrest rifle and the roll over comb will likely drag at your face. I shot my largest deer shooting my .300 lefthand.
Skylerbone
Member
Do you guys consider not being able to loan out your rifles a disadvantage? I'd put that one in the pros category myself (though to be fair my mom, dad, sister, grandfather AND ex-wife are all lefties so I'm glad they didn't shoot t-holes).
I find mine very comfortable, bought an H-S Pro 2000 composite. Recoil was reduced to a degree, comfort level was through the roof and I can finally align my scope and eye without adding pads or spacers to the stock. The other advantage to changing stocks in general is that LOP can be specified if you don't want to spring for an adjustable model. Not ideal for every shooting position but then again neither is every rifle.
Thought that AICS was WAY over-priced compared to some of the other options out there until I factored in bottom metal which made it a real bargain (but still ugly).
Pros:
Comfort, recoil reduction, points well, can't be loaned to lefty family members who won't spring for their own stuff.
Cons:
A hair slower on controls (notably safety), may be fugly, may cost more to upgrade than having bought a nicer rifle from the get go.
I find mine very comfortable, bought an H-S Pro 2000 composite. Recoil was reduced to a degree, comfort level was through the roof and I can finally align my scope and eye without adding pads or spacers to the stock. The other advantage to changing stocks in general is that LOP can be specified if you don't want to spring for an adjustable model. Not ideal for every shooting position but then again neither is every rifle.
Thought that AICS was WAY over-priced compared to some of the other options out there until I factored in bottom metal which made it a real bargain (but still ugly).
Pros:
Comfort, recoil reduction, points well, can't be loaned to lefty family members who won't spring for their own stuff.
Cons:
A hair slower on controls (notably safety), may be fugly, may cost more to upgrade than having bought a nicer rifle from the get go.
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