Hi Guys

I've got custom rifles stocked by Gatti and Waghorn but have often wondered how Geoff Slees stocks compare. Anyone out there got one and if so how is the finish, checkering, inletting, accuracy etc?

His prices seem very reasonable as is the quoted waiting period.

Any info/photos etc welcomed.

Cheers.

GG

GG
i had one done by slee , he made a stock diffrent to what i ordered/wanted, quality of work was good....he uses a pentograph to shape his stocks
Daniel

have used a 9.3x62 with a slee stock,it seemed ok and well finished.....but give me synthetic anyday and everyday.

I have seen a lot of Geoff's workmanship on high grade custom firearms at my BGRC range, his work on those I've seen was fantastic in every detail, I had him stock my custom 3006 in NZ walnut and I am very very happy with it, in the new year he is stocking my custom 458WM 98 Mauser, With Geoff you must explain exactly what you want, he is very easy to talk to and if you can send him some photos of the type of stock you want he can work from those. If you are lucky enough to live in Vic. a visit to his workshop one can pick from different grades of walnut and designs and get measured up for that perfect fitting stock...

Men

Thanks very much for your replies - it sounds like I'm onto a winner.

Tracks, would love to see a couple of photos if you could organise it. If so please PM me your email address.

Cheers.

GG

a mate of mine had a slee stock sent to the uk,

it was inletted for a remmie action and came in 'unfinished',
if i remember it was a 'roo shooter special with a thumb hole'

as it was expected in unfinished form it looked abit tatty round the edges being a laminated version but it fitted like a glove and he put it straight on and that is where it has stayed ever since. all he has done to it is darken it with some wood stain.

it is and has to be one of the most comfortable and good feeling stocks i have handled yet.
now it is weathered in and smoothed off abit it is really good.
it has has had a really hard time being on a working gun and is about to see its third barrel.

on the whole Geoff slee has some excellent stocks.

if i could get one for a sako 75 i would jump at the chance.

I wrote this article for members of my "home" forum

I visited Geoff on wednesday afternoon to take some photos for those interested. We discussed the fact the we bemoan that he has no website or catalogue but as he is a one man show he simply wouldn't have the time (or interest in keeping one up to date)

Firstly, here is an idea of his range of patterns


the first day I visited with Ogre we simply pulled them out and looked for what we wanted.

Well he is famous for his roo shooter special.


these two are in Laminate and unfinished (as you get if you order by phone, from memory its $200 plus GST. I have bought one of these stocks in a fancy grade walnut but as its for a light varmint he has inletted mine for a lighter barrel profile and narrowed the forend.

Target shooters want to see what he has to offer. Excuse the photography, as a photograper i am great Financial Planner




These are purely pattern blanks which he would inlet for your action/barrel

He tells me stock patterns arent patent but in the same token he doesnt want to rub anyones nose in it. The names of the stocks that these are copied from are written on the other side. You might see one name I got inadvertently but you will know doubt recognise some patterns






these two are my personal favourites and one will likely feature on the heavy 204 Shane will build soon (yes the VT is going on the market)




Here is a smaller thumbhole pattern for s/a sakos



And for military rifle fans wanting to do a restoration




Now many of you out there are keen handymen and will have no problems finishing a stock. Well there are also some like me who would destroy a piece of high grade walnut. Geoff doesnt just machine blanks. He is a craftsman. If you have the coin he will give you the fully finished product. When Shane retuns my 'light varmint' thumbhole after bedding it, Geoff will fully finish it including fitting pad and chequering.

Here are some examples of his finished work






I found this interesting, a shotgunner who has lost the sight in one eye but wants to continue firing from the same shoulder had this provided as the solution


I think I mentioned his walnut laminate before. He has sold the first four blanks to a guy who is building four big game rifles for an African trip. The first one is not fully finished requiring one or 2 more rub downs and coats. Looks good nevertheless. The foreend cap and grip cap are buffalo horn. Its hard to see this is laminate and not actual walnut. You will see the crossbolts fitted.





here is the guys next rifle still on the machine. You will see the square lump of unfinished horn. Its clamped in here while the glue dries




Well its not a comprehensive article on every single thing he does and it sure isnt a glossy catalogue or website. If you want to visit he will be pleasant if you are fair dinkum and will happily talk about his craft. He did tell me it disappoints him he cant find anyone who wants to come in and learn the craft so if you know a young bloke keen on woodwork!

I pass him every Wednesday though if I am busy I go up before he's open and return after he's closed. I am not offering to be a courier service but happy to help members within reason. My trips take me to Albury once a month too.

Hope this is useful

Trevort,

good pics, do you know if does inlet the roo shooter special for sako 75's?

Alex, i think so, i am taking up my 17fb barreled action next week so could ask, unless you want to ring him!

trevort,

if you could ask him that would be great, i am off to Italy tomorrow so i will not get a chance to call until well into next week.

action sizes are I AND III in sako 75

thanks so much if you do get a chance to ask him..

Trev

Thanks for your excellent report on Slee's work. His finished stocks look pretty good and I like his lines.

Cheers.

GG

Trevort,

if I was 40 years younger, I'd learn from Geoff for nothing... beautiful work!!

I'm looking for someone to checker my Ruger Laminate stock... if I had the time, I'd have a go at it myself...

Any idea if Geoff does that sort of work (I believe it's pretty tough on tools?)

Cheers,

Pete