Hey everyone, I'm working on a stock design for a... well, a Western Field bolt action .410. A guy's got to have hobbies, right? Anyway, I've been drawing stocks and would like an opinion (on the stock design, not how silly it is for this gun ). Top design is the stock as is (you can't see the crack, however) and the middle two have more of a guild look, I think. The bottom is all the stocks laid on top of one another. The two triggers are the resting position and the fully retracted firing position.

My intention is a sleeker, more classic style. This is primarily my starter shotgun for the kids, So it'll have a 13" LOP or so. I was hampered a bit by the takedown bolt as to how to shape the fore end.

Nothing wrong with using that as a project. Just my opinion,bottom of the grip cap area should intersect with the heel of the stock or closer to it. Point of the comb should be more radiused and not so sharp. Make sure the grip angle and radius is not swept back too far,it may not allow the kids to reach the trigger properly. Just my thoughts for what its worth. You can also try building up the original stock with Bondo or Acra gel and reshape it until your happy with it as a pattern. I hope your project goes well for you.

Yes, make a mock up of each design and feel them; or have a kid handle them. No way to tell from the looks of a stock how it will feel in the hands. Of course, some stocks are made just for looks too. But the comment on the swept back grip is valid.

For myself, I like the second from the top with its longer wrist length to the point of the comb, and I also like the more sharply angled "Alexander Henry" style grip end shape with the slight separation between grip end and raised toe line. Nice! The point of the comb as illustrated does look a bit, well, pointed, but I'm guessing that's just for ease of illustration.

Kids' hands are considerably smaller than mine though. If the desired result is directed at ease of use for kids first and looks second, they should get some serious input here, especially as far as trigger reach from the grip.

#2 would be my choice as well, but short LOP might be accompanied by smaller hands, so the wrist of #1 might be a better choice.

No. 3 is the classic design, with the comb continuing forward of the pistol hand. No.1 is the worst IMHO because the underside of the butt does not align with the rear of the trigger guard.

I did a quick pine mockup that got satisfactory response from my daughter.



and the stick of walnut