A while back I purchased a McMillan stock in "Desert Camo" for my .416 Model 70. It looked great and shot well but the rifle never felt quite right. Somehow, I didn't think to verify the length of pull (jerk). It was short. Who's fault? My own, I think, but I contacted Kelly McMillan anyway and asked if I could have the LOP corrected and that I also wanted a Pachmeyer XXX pad. Kelly mentioned that he normally did not stock this pad but instructed me to ship the stock and "I will take care of it". Well, two weeks later I had the stock back, nicely fitted with the XXX pad at the specified LOP. No Charge! I won't soon forget that.
I had to send my Lott stock back to McMillan to get the LOP shortened by half an inch (my fault) and had them put on a triple mag pad (at 470 Mbogo's suggestion), which I sent with the stock. It was back within 2 weeks.
This was my first aftermarket fiberglass stock. I'm very impressed with the workmanship and service. They seem to be a very organized and quality-minded outfit.
How long did it take you to get your stock when you ordered it? I ordered a stock from H-S Precision. Said it would take 5 weeks. Now in week 13 and still no stock. Calling them has been a waste of time too. I guess I had to learn the hard way. TTS
Posts: 84 | Location: Wisconsin | Registered: 18 December 2001
JMAC - I chose the "Desert Camo" and I like it. More than a few outfitters and "PH"s" commented favorably as to its' appearance and suitability for general use in Africa.
TTS - To tell you the truth I have no recollection of how long it took to have the stock made. I think it was about a month .. not too long.
The stock is obviously very strong and the colors have depth to them and won't break down or fade with use. I glass bedded it and it shot well but not quite as well as with the factory stock, this speaks only of my bedding skills, I suppose. My only criticism is the lack of "gripsion" of the checkering, which comes into play with the heavier cartridges. I'd like the forend to offer a firmer hold. I'd also like a roughed-up area on either side of the action, where I often carry. With sweaty hands, the rifle is prone to slip some and has scared me more than once afield.
I just recieved my McMillan stock via my gunsmith. It took about 90 days to get it. I ordered it for a pre 64 win in 375HH. It's a supergrade model in olive color. The olive color is very subdued and looks great. I wish they could ship a little faster than that though.
TTS....I've also had some problems with H-S both service and quality of stock. You might take a look at the McMillan web-site which is www.mcmfamily.com where they have internet specials on stocks. These are stocks that were ordered and not paid for etc.....they tend to be black in color but there is a big savings and you can get them right away. On their site click on "stocks" and then "internet specials". If you don't see what you need you can give them a call and see if anything new has been added they haven't posted yet.
Posts: 4360 | Location: Sunny Southern California | Registered: 22 May 2002
TTS...with the service you seem to be getting I wouldn't have any compunction about cancelling the order plus H-S has, I believe, a guarantee that if you don't like it just return it and it sounds like you already don't like it. Life is to short to put up with this type of business practice.
Posts: 4360 | Location: Sunny Southern California | Registered: 22 May 2002
Nick, Please allow me to join the Nickudu-McMillan fan club, for 2 cents worth.
I have seen the Desert Camo McMillan stock at my gunsmith's shop. I chose the plain walnut brown color for my 510 JAB Brno ZKK 602. I liked the camo pattern and will try that one next. Prior to my exposure to McMillan, I preferred the Brown Precision make. Now I go for the McMillan for the big boomers and use the Brown Precision "Pounder" stock on the light rifles, like the featherweight 375 H&H.
I doubt if anyone makes a stronger stock than McMillan, IMHO. Yes, excellent service. I got mine in 12 weeks/90 days as expected, custom made.
------------------ RAB
Posts: 28032 | Location: KY | Registered: 09 December 2001
On recommendation from my riflesmith, I have two rifles stocked with McMillan stocks. Both rifles are excellent shooters, but the real clincher was when a friend of mine restocked a Factory Winchester 458 Win Mag. Before the rifle was a 2.5-3" shooter, afterwards 0.75-1.0" with Federal TBBC 500 gr.
The above mentioned riflesmith has been putting rifles togethe for over 20 yrs. He told me, he could count on one hand the number of stocks from McMillan that did not meet his specs and all were corrected in less than a couple of weeks.
Before we go off on a Mcmillan stock lovefest, I have to relate that my latest experience was far from satisfactory. It took them 6 months to get me my express stock. This stock was ordered for a CZ550 action and a #8 Pac-Nor barrel. They didn't seem to have any problem with this when they took my order and I was pretty detailed with them. Three months after it was ordered they called me to say that they didn't inlet for a CZ550 and that the stock would not take a Pac-Nor # 8 contour. After a few days of not returning phone calls, they reluctantly agreed to inlet for a ZKK-602 and a #7 contour barrel. I had to change my barrel order with Pac-Nor to accomodate this and figured, that I could do the minor inletting required. They said they would turn the order around in a "few weeks". 2 months later still no stock. In desperation, I talked to Kelly who at first was pretty beligerent with me claiming that this was my problem, then called me back and offered to special inlet the stock for the CZ550 since I had waited so long and was a good customer of theirs. I don't know if he was having a bad day or what, but he was pretty rude, and he got called on his behaviour. I think he went back and checked on this situation and that's why he called me back. This was to be special order. A month later after a follow-up call each week with Eileen ( who tried to be helpful) I received the stock and it indeed was inletted properly for the CZ550 as originally ordered and fit beautifully. I have no issue with the quality of their product, but if I provided my customers with service of this sort, I'd be out of buisness in no time. There are other people who can build good stocks,in a reasonable timeframe. Anyway thats just my experience. Maybe custom orders are just too confusing!-Rob
Posts: 6314 | Location: Las Vegas,NV | Registered: 10 January 2001
My .416 REM was built on a Sako action in 1988 using a McMillan stock. Last year, the tang area started to split. I called their customer service and was advised to return the stock and if they couldn't repair it, they would replace it. Sure enough, in about 4 weeks I had a brand new stock. We are talking 13 years here and no questions asked. That's good service. Cobalt
Robgunbuilder.......I think anyone who deals with suppliers such as McMillan or almost any of the barrel makers, etc will run into an occurence as you described more frequently that liked...it has and I'm sure will again drive me to distraction. I think the thing that sometimes gets me about McMillan (yes I've waited for a stock and for one of their MCRT actions) is their products are so damn good we can't understand why they can't get them to us on time or ....!
If I had one wish in this field I think it would be that some of these supplies keep some inventory on hand....I know inventory is expensive but it's just a wish.
Posts: 4360 | Location: Sunny Southern California | Registered: 22 May 2002
[QUOTE]Originally posted by DB Bill: "If I had one wish in this field I think it would be that some of these suppliers keep some inventory on hand....I know inventory is expensive but it's just a wish".
Good purnt DB, especially when the better selling stocks have been identified and all that is required is setting the LOP. However, as in any production line business, the matching of staff levels with a fluctuating demand is always a tough call.
Nickudu....what is even more irritating than stocks is trying to get a barrel in less than 3 or 4 months...you would think they would keep a supply of blanks in the the most common bore size and rate of twist. Waiting for a .30 barrel with 1-10 twist is maddening.
Posts: 4360 | Location: Sunny Southern California | Registered: 22 May 2002
My only criticism is the lack of "gripsion" of the checkering, which comes into play with the heavier cartridges. I'd like the forend to offer a firmer hold. I'd also like a roughed-up area on either side of the action, where I often carry. With sweaty hands, the rifle is prone to slip some and has scared me more than once afield.