Dumb question: Is it possible to cut out a floorplate opening in a synthetic stock which does not have one? Do you lose all stiffness of the stock? I am not a fan of the blind magazine design, but would really like to try a Kimber in the Montana configuration. I was wondering if I or a gunsmith could cut out the right size opening and scrounge up Kimber bottom metal and retro-fit it?? thanks

That would depend on how the stock was designed and the internal structure. I'd call and ask the maker about it.

If it is a fiberglass stock like a McMillan, Brown Precision, etc. then sure, it wouldn't be a problem. If it is an injection moulded or just foam like old Bell and Carlsons, then no, don't waste your time. Is this a Kimber you are talking about? If so, their synthetic stocks aren't all that wonderful. It'll work, but you should pillar bed it after you cut out the bottom to get some support back.

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Originally posted by Nobade:
If it is a fiberglass stock like a McMillan, Brown Precision, etc. then sure, it wouldn't be a problem. If it is an injection moulded or just foam like old Bell and Carlsons, then no, don't waste your time. Is this a Kimber you are talking about? If so, their synthetic stocks aren't all that wonderful. It'll work, but you should pillar bed it after you cut out the bottom to get some support back.

Adding pillars will have no effect on that part of the stock. Pillars only provide support in the immediate area of the guard screws. A good one piece trigger guard and floorplate assembly should provide the support needed by replacing that which was removed.

A floorplate assembly will help a little but what matters is if the sides are stiff enough after cutting out the bottom. If not, it will accordian with or without the floorplate assembly and the action screw holes and/or tang slot will be pummeled.

Only the stock company or Kimber can tell you for sure before you cut it.

I have two Remington rifles that are stocked in the early H&S Precision fiberthane stocks when their plant was in Prescott Arizona. Both stocks came with blind magazines. I opened both up to take the floorplates of a Remington 660 and a BDL and so far have not had a problem. BTW, both stocks were purchase in 1981. I did glas bed trhe action, but other than setting them up to take the floor plate, the stocks are strictly stock. No pun intended.
Paul B.

I would think this would be a fairly straight forward job to inlet any composite stock to take a one piece triggerguard/floorplate assy without the fear of compromising any strength of the stock.

The area that is being removed has no bearing on the strength of the sides of the stock since the sides are untouched. Only a small area in the bottom center is being removed and like I said, it is being replaced by steel.

I dropped a 700 CDL, floorplate and all, into a blind Ti stock Caliber is 35 Whelen. No Prolems.

Bedding the floor plate in will help as well.

You shouldn't have that much of a problem as long as there is adequate area for the FP. The sides of a stock handle the majority of the forces applied.

Good Luck

Reloader

thanks all for the thoughts. I asked my gunsmith yesterday about this project, and he has concerns about the thickness of the bottom of the stock in the Montana. No concerns about structural integrity, but he thinks that there might not be enough room to inlet the floorplate, and if so, I might lose a round of mag capacity. I may just buy one and play with it a bit. thanks again for the input