Wood Stock Rifle a Detriment in a SHTF Situation?

[The Last Confederate]

Just curious what the concession is involving wood furniture on firearms in a SHTF situation? I always hear that a wood stock on a firearm will not hold up well in adverse conditions, that one should always get synthetic furniture for their firearms whenever possible due to this fact.

This demand is very great for such rifles as the M14, where many people advocate a synthetic stock on that rifle. However, those same people will then turn around and cry heresy when there is mention of putting an M! Garand in a synthetic stock. Why is the wood stock durable enough for the M1 Garand, but not durable enough for the M14?

I have seen many a firearm with wood furniture survive some of the worst hellish conditions imaginable. Sure the wood is beat up, but it still prevails.

Anyway, what are the opinions on this issue? Is a synthetic stock essential for SHTF whenever possible, or is wood sometimes acceptable (as in the M1 Garand)?

 

[DMK]

It's only a problem if you store your firearm somewhere really bad for it and don't take care of it (with BLO or Tung, etc). Wood stocked firearms were used all over the islands of the Pacific in WWII and in the jungles of Vietnam.

However, I did read about the Viet Cong storing some SKS very poorly for the Tet Offensive. I don't know whether bugs or rot got them, but the stocks fell off and they were using rags to hold them.

 

[natedog]

Under heavy use, the stock will get wear, scratches, gouges, and other types of cosmetic damage. Depending on humidity/conditions, the stock may swell with moisture, affecting accuracy/point of impact. However, wood stocks were used in rifles worldwide for over 400 years. I like synthetic stocks because I don't have to worry about idiot marks on really nice wood...but in a SHTF situation that would probably be the last of your concerns.

 

[jeff-10]

Let me list a few "SHTF" situations where wood stocks seemed to hold up just fine. Saratoga, Ghettysburg, Ypres, Marne, Saipan, Kursk, Stalingrad, Normandy, Bastogne, Bataan, Saipan, Iwo Jima, Chosen Resevoir... just to name a few. Now if you can think of a worse "SHTF" situation than those, whether your rifles stock is showing wear may not really be that big of a deal.

 

[NH AR Shooter]

On some guns, Synthetic is the only way to go, AR15s for example, just try to avoid the ones that lack heat shields.

AKs have been known to melt some of the synthetic hand guards, wood might be the better choice on these. Its important to remember that not all sythetic products are equal.

The real advantage's of synthetic are light weight, in my opinion, as on a light weight AR carbine, and dimensional stability, important for precision rifles, target, sniper, ect.

As others have noted, wood stocked weapons have been to hell and back and 60 years later are still great shooters.

 

[Sunray]

"...adverse conditions..." Vary from place to place. However, it's far more important to have an accurate rifle at all times than it is to have one that requires less maintenance. Wood stocks are fine on most rifles. Depending on its flavour. I've had C1A1's start to smoke during extreme rapid fire. Two 20 round mags fired as fast as possible will start the fore stock smoking. However, I also find the USGI synthetic stock on my semi's M-14 is too light for fast follow-up shots. Mind you, I wouldn't grab it first anyway. My Plainfield M-1 carbine is 100% reliable, light weight and totally accurate for silly assed SHTF scenarios.
"...Chosen Resevoir..." That'd be Chosin Reservoir. You're point is taken though. We'll let you off on the spelling. Wood stocks worked just fine at Vimy Ridge, Dieppe, the Liri Valley and K'Yap Yong, and all the other place the CF saved the day too.

 

[Art Eatman]

Ever notice how SHTF never seems to consider very up close and very personal? If I gotta but-stroke some Goblin, I'd rather have an M1 than an M16...

, Art

 

[ID_shooting]

"If I gotta but-stroke some Goblin, I'd rather have an M1 than an M16..."

If I am butt-stroking goblins, then the SHTF senario is about over, for me at least. But that is another topic.

I too have often wondered the social correctness of fitting synth on an M1. I am currently working on getting my very own CMP Garand. I am not buying one of the collecters but rather one I can load a GI can of ammo for go blast jacks, whistle pigs, milk jugs, rock chucks, and whatever else I choose; plus, keep a can of clips "at the ready" for a SHTF day. since this will not be collectors piece, I just my mount plastic on it, one - durability, two - wieght reduction, three - asthetics. Also have it dura coated as well.

Some will call me "sinner" I guess in a way that is true, but that is why made so many of them.

 

[Redlg155]

I wouldn't think so.

Look at how many AK47s and variants still in service that have wood stocks. And you can bet those bad boys get abused!

Good Shooting
Red

 

[greyhound]

If I am butt-stroking goblins, then the SHTF senario is about over, for me at least. But that is another topic.

Indeed!

 

[benEzra]

My Finnish M39 appears (from the looks of the stock) to have been in the middle of some S hitting F, and can still shoot a 1 3/8" group at 100 yards.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Wood works fine. It served well for centuries and it was only in the 20th century that plastics began appearing as stocks for rifles.

The plastic advantage - (if the composites are good), good stability. That is, it won't be affected by the humidity or the temperature. Lighter - OK, sometimes. Stronger - OK, depends on the mfg.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Can you use a plastic stock as a last-ditch source of firewood?

I didn't think so

 

[VG]

Just curious what the concession is involving wood furniture on firearms in a SHTF situation? I always hear that a wood stock on a firearm will not hold up well in adverse conditions, that one should always get synthetic furniture for their firearms whenever possible due to this fact.

What is the scenario under which you are defending yourself? Out of ammunition and Claymores? Zombies surrounding the house? Union Mongrels invading your homeland? Most "SHTF" scenarios that I've heard described best fit under "I know I'm paranoid - but am I paranoid enough?"

You don't mention what rifle you have? Springfield Armory began experimenting with plastic stocks during WWII. They were not used because they could not be reliably or cheaply manufactured in large quantities. Note that nostalgia for American Walnut didn't extend to the grips on the M1911A1.

There are lots of Garands with synthetic stocks, yielding the same benefits as it does for other rifles in terms of weather resistance, ease of maintenance, and stability over temperature extremes. In the case of the Garand the benefits are probably greater than the average rifle, since the fit of the stcok has such an impact on accuracy.

There are cheap plastic stocks that do't fit or function very well. There are more expensive synthetic stocks that are much better. An injection molded (polypropylene) stock from DPMS is about $75 including both handguards. A Bell & Carlson synthetic (fiberglass and kevlar) stock is nearly $200. As a really nice Walnut set is about $150 or less and is legal for JC Garand matches, that choice remains more popular.

The Last Confederate

Promises, promises....
Those are pretty inflammatory statements in your signature in many parts of the U.S., BTW....

 

[sm]

Agree with Art!

 

[Art Eatman]

Is the accuracy difference between a quality synthetic stock and a wood stock really important when the target(s) are some 15"x 24" and at ranges within some 200 to 300 yards?

Durability/longevity? I have a .220 Swift that's 52 years old, and it shoots under one MOA. Wood stock on that Model 70. Similar behavior as to reasonable groups from an old Krag (1890s) and an 1891 7mm Mauser.

Whatever material suits YOU is what's best, stipulating decent quality to begin with. IMO, it doesn't matter.

What's not spoken of about stocks in these SHTF situations is the result of stumbling and falling and landing awkwardly atop one's rifle. Is it mechanically strong enough such that nothing breaks? In the military, replacement rifles are fairly easily come by.

Art

 

[Fatelvis]

I agree with Art. I even use that mentality with handguns, thats one of the main reasons I dont like "plastic" pistols.

 

[Preacherman]

If I gotta but-stroke some Goblin, I'd rather have an M1 than an M16...

But, Art, that's no longer a SHTF situation - it's a BHTG scenario!

 

[1911Ron]

Didn't the Army try making stocks for the M-1 out of aluminum? boy getting whacked with that stock would it sound like an aluminum bat

 

[biere]

If you keep the wooden rifle with you, it will survive. This means that when the rain stops and you dry out, the rifle is cared for as well. If you get the rifle wet during a creek crossing, take care of it and you afterwards.

For silly stupid sophmoric storage the plastic will live better than the wood. Thinking about all the folks who have pvc pipes in the ground that have water in them, I wonder what a water logged wood stock will do after a year or two?

The cosmoline sks cleaning threads I have seen on here have me almost thinking it would do as well submerged, but I don't personally know so I can't say what would be better.

And I agree about quality in plastic being a big deal. Someone wanted to sell me a plastic kit for my sar 1. The stock was so flexy in my hands I figured it would not allow me to repeat shots one bit so I still have wood on it.

I like plastic if it is well done. I have zero problems with the wood stocks, but I personally treat them a bit more carefully than my plastic stocks.

As for what can have plastic and what can't, why are you letting others tell you what to do with your firearm?

If the thing is collectable and spiffy and you can't bring yourself to change it, sell it and get one that is non-numbers matching and mess with it.

The non-numbers matching is from my car education where I learned that I like looking at original expensive old cars but for driving the numbers mean nothing and add nothing to the experience.

I fully understand not messing with rare things, if I find I have something rare and valuable I sell it and get what I want. I can appreciate nice stuff but figure if it is mine it will eventually not be so nice so it is better to unload it than try and baby it.

 

[444]

Personally, I feel the advantages of the plastic stock are significant. I am not really into the whole SHTF thing, but of course I think it is present in every gun owner deep down inside.
I am a big fan of the older US Military rifles and I am paranoid about damaging the wood stocks when I am shooting them. The other day I was at a match and was carrying my pristine '03A3 between stages on it's sling. I brushed the toe of the stock against a concrete benchrest and almost had a stroke. It put a very small blemish on the stock. I also have a small abrasion on the right side of my M1 stock that worries me.
So, on my M1A I enjoy the best of both worlds. I bought a USGI synthetic stock for it that I actually use when it leaves the house. Then I have the original walnut stock on it when I am admiring it.

Some people actually enjoy beating stuff up and would consider me a pansy. Ok. On the two rifles I actually hunt with, I have synthetic stocks. My .338 came with a beautiful walnut stock on it and it gets the same treatment as my M1A. I put the synthetic on it whenever it leaves the house.
I am not into the whole "adding character" thing. I like to keep my stuff as nice as possible. I shoot the crap out of my guns, but I try to keep them looking just like they did when I bought them.

 

[JNewell]

There are probably half a dozen major ways to make a "plastic" stock and they're not at all equivalent in weight or strength. I've never seen a study, but I'll bet that something like the solid Ramline Syntech stocks are for most purposes a lot more rugged than, say, the fiberglass-covered foam stocks. But even there, there are differences and issues. I have seen some plastic stocks deform under an (overtightened) action screw, for example.

Once again, there is no magic bullet...

 

[MeekandMild]

SHTF? I sorely suspect the worst SHTF many of us will ever encounter will be when the dreaded coke machine at the range fails to take our sweat-soaked dollar bill. So put whatever stock you like on the rifle.