Been toying with the idea of using a thumb hole stock on next project.. So what are your thoughts....

To thumb hole or not?

OK on a target rifle....

Might be too slow to work the safety and get your hand in position on a hunting rifle....

Just my .02, Bill

I use them all the time and love them. It would have to be one hell of a fast snap shot to affect success relative to the safety. There are some designs where you can use either the thumbhole grip or a more traditional grip if you're in a hurry. They allow a more complete grip with your off hand thereby absorbing more recoil than that of a typical stock. It also keeps your elbow down, assuming a tight grip, compared to typical, making a sitting shot while resting both elbows on knees much easier.

I could go on and on but I think they win hands down on function it's just that some prefer the standard pistol grip.

Reed

i put a boyds thumbhole laminate on my rem 700 .243 for groundhogs . i love it . redefines trigger pull for sure . i may try it out this deer season after most of the tags are filled .i for one like them for the field and shooting bench

Never used one for hunting deer and such where lots of walking was involved, but I use one for sage rats and rock chucks when shooting prone and nothing in the world beats the fit of a good thumbhole for a prolonged shoot. The hand position is perfect, which gives you a great trigger squeeze, especially from a bipod or rest of some sort.
Also, it helps to keep your muzzle flip minimal as your hand has a better grip on the stock and helps to keep things in line. I can see my hits most of the time with my 22-250 with it.

I'm not sure I would put one on a heavy kicker, though. Probably wouldn't be real comfortable for that.

Your best all-purpose option would be an "open top" thumbhole stock, such as on a McMillan A-2 Tactical, for example. I like thumbhole stocks and have a few of them but, if you're concerned about quick(er) follow-up shots, get a stock that offers the same "natural grip" as a traditional thumbhole stock but which also has the part that would be above the thumb "open."

Russ

[ 11-27-2002, 06:20: Message edited by: Russell E. Taylor ]

If you're considering a thumbhole, go with the Lawson Cochise Thumbhole. There is none better. His design is without a doubt the best ever developed, not to mention one of the oldest.

Mauserkid,

What sort of project are you wanting to do, have a caliber picked out yet? I'd have no problem with one on a target or varmint rifle but wouldn't want it on a hunting rifle I carried in the brush, or on a heavy kicker. YMMV.

Mark

I'm not trying to pick any fights here, but you guys saying no on heavy kickers are flat out wrong. That more complete grip with the trigger hand dissipates recoil more so than a traditional style stock. If you look at the cross section in the narrow area of the grip you'll see there's often times more wood present and it's in a direct line with the motion of recoil.

There's more cooking with the drop and the cheek weld relative to the scope being used than the use of a thumbhole.

Like anything, give it a try first. My biggest thumbhole is a 338/416 Rigby that used to be in a fiberglass pistol grip stock...it's much more manageable with the thumbhole.

Reed

Looking at two different projects actually. Both will be on VZ 24 actions. One is a 6.5x55, other is a .280 Remington...

I want a good control and comfort. I don�t think the thumb hole would be fast handling, but I have never used one...

Guess I need to find some one with one and try it on....

Thanks....

I think there are some that could argue the lack of fast handling that the thumbholes have, but IMHO, if you're moving that damn fast, you'll probably miss what you're aiming at anyway. I've shot many of them, and hunted extensively with them, and have never been slowed down at all.

As for recoil absorption, I've never seen a stock that does a better job of managing recoil than the Lawson Cochise Thumbhole. If you have a problem shooting the big bores, then a muzzle brake and a thumbhole stock should take care of your problems. If that don't work, there's always a smaller caliber capable of taking game equally effective.

The biggest problem that the thumbhole stock has is the fact that it is not "TRADITIONAL"

Is there a web site that show's some of these Lawson thumbhole stocks?

web page
web page
Found this in a search.

Anyone ever see a thumbhole on a Number One?

Thanks

Jim

And it is just the most, well see for your self... web page

The folks at Harry Lawson haven't got a website, I've talked to them about it, but to be honest he has plenty of business now and really coundn't take on any more without it having a real detrimental effect on his completion times. As it is now, he is able to get things done fairly quickly by "custom" standards, considering he is a two man shop.

He does turn out some beautiful stuff and he is more than happy to send you one of his beautiful color brochures if you call or write him.

Harry Lawson Co.
3328 N. Ritchey Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85716
520.326.1117

Below is one of my Lawson Cochise Thumbhole stocked rifles, a Springfield '03, chambered in .338-06 and stocked in utility grade wood by Harry Lawson. It's hard to see in this photo, but it has one of their "button" safeties (behind the trigger). For those who are concerned about the access to their safety, this is an excellent option.

-Mr Mike



[ 12-08-2002, 10:17: Message edited by: Mr Mike ]

Mr. Mike,

Ohhhh.... very nice. I gave them a call last week and got a cataloge in the mail today. Does your Springfield sport one of their bolt shrouds too? Did they bed your action? Was that stock semi, 90%, or fully finishied? More specifically, how does your .338 shoot? Is the feel/handling of the rifle everything they make it out to be?

Dave Van Horn makes stocks similar to those Lawson stocks. Lots of choices.

Waldog,

Yes indeed, it does in fact sport their bolt shroud! Very sexy, NO?

Yes, I had them bed the action, I've done them in the past, but they do a much better job.

I got this as a 90% and I did the finish on the outside, that for me is much easier than the "inside" work.

This rifle isn't the first Lawson thumbhole stock that I've owned, and I GUARANTEE you that it isn't going to be the last. I currently have three in my gun safe and one is at Lawson now being fitted with another. If I had the funds, every gun I own would be restocked with these Lawson stocks. They are in fact, at least for me, everything that that Lawson touts them to be. For me, they are extremely comfortable to shoot.

My .338-06 shoots like a dream, if I do my part, it is a sub-1" rifle everyday.

-Mr Mike

I've built a few and can tell you that I've liked them as have everyone that has ever used one of them. Varmints.....yes...but as a hunting rifle they do just fine as well. The only complaint is that they jab me in the back with the protruding pistol grip when carried over the shoulder with a sling.

I'm building a .375 ouch and ouch on a thumbhole right now and have no fear that it's not going to be a functional rifle. Those that say different are talking out of turn and without experience.

I much prefer the looks of classic styles and shadowline cheekpieces but the thumbhole is a fine stock for those that like one. Here's a .25-06 on a '98 DWM Argentine action and douglas featherweight barrel.

quote:

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Originally posted by triggerguard1:
If you're considering a thumbhole, go with the Lawson Cochise Thumbhole. There is none better. His design is without a doubt the best ever developed, not to mention one of the oldest.

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I agree with your evaluation of the Harry Lawson Cochice Thumbhole. I have one and love it. I have never been a good off hand shooter, until I bought one of his stocks, it made a dramatic difference.
Someone mentioned the thumbhole made using the safety awkward, Lawson solved that problem by providing a shotgun type bottom metal, cross bolt safety. Try it and you'll like it.
Stepchild

quote:

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Originally posted by stepchild 2:

I agree with your evaluation of the Harry Lawson Cochice Thumbhole. I have one and love it. I have never been a good off hand shooter, until I bought one of his stocks, it made a dramatic difference.
Someone mentioned the thumbhole made using the safety awkward, Lawson solved that problem by providing a shotgun type bottom metal, cross bolt safety. Try it and you'll like it.
Stepchild

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While that safety is convenient, it's not a very "safe" safety. It has managed to fill the bill for Harry for a long time, but mechanically speaking, it would not be my first choice.

I figure most folks that are in such a hurry to flip off their safety, will most likely miss what they're intending to shoot. Just my .02.

A model 70-style safety will permit a round in the chamber with the safety on to be carried in mild terrain without the fear of an accidental discharge. But I can think of no occasion when I didn't have time to chamber a round before I shot either. This definitely would make up for any awkwardness that would be found with this style of safety and a thumbhole stock.

I think you are right and so am I. There are many different styles of hunting and the thumbhole suits some better than others. Often, in coyote hunting one has a very limited time to get on a dog crossing a scendero and two or three tenths of a second delay can make the difference between a responsible shot and one you should pass. On the other hand, if one is going to take the time to properly judge a whitetail buck or other big game animal, the little bit of extra time required to anchor a thumbhole is insignificant. Since I shoot a lot more coyotes than deer my vote went against the thumbhole. BTW, Matt, how are the actions coming along?

Personally, I think riflestocks should be straight, with only a 1/2 inch drop at comb, at most, and the same 1/2 inch drop at heel. In other words, they should be classic shaped. A cheekpiece is OK. But a thumbhole is a grotesque abomination, in my opinion, as are those horrible hogbacks.

There should be a classic curved pistol grip, but no swell, as in the so-called Wundhammer swell.

I also abhor the British-style straignt shotgun-style stock and splinter foreend.

But your taste may be different. So go with what you like and whatever works well for you.

Thumbhole stocks to rifles, are what Low-rider cars with hydraulic bouncers, spinner mags and airbrushed Skulls are to Automobiles..........DJ

Mauser- I like thumbholes but you may not if you can, maybe the best thing for you do do is use one and see how you like it as someone already stated then go from there.

DJ- Are you done with that low rider purple metalflake paint job yet? :-) Just Kidding just poking fun........Ultra