My Richards Microfit stock finally arrived!

The shaping is much better than I expected. Inletting is a little rough, but at least it's undersized. The blank is not bad at all for select English -- some mineral streaking and a little fancy figure. My dad got one too, in claro; he was pleased with it. One thing I did notice -- I'm glad I didn't have them install the recoil pad, since they chopped almost ~3/4" off his stock to do it.

Anyone else working on a stock, check out this site:
http://riflestocks.tripod.com

Best wishes & happy holidays,

Todd

What do you mean the inletting is a little rough? Is it not accurate? How is the outside of the stock?

What grade did you order and how long did it take to ship?

Todd,
I would be interested in your evaluation also. Thanks, Cobalt

My limited experience with Richards Microfit, and others for that matter, is that these 'semi-fashioned' stocks come about 70% shaped or a bit better. They come in a shape that allows you to finish shaping it the way you expected you want it to finally look but with a lot of wood for you to remove by hand in order to acheive that look. It will, however, have a rough shape that resembles what you wanted and lines that will not be difficult to follow in finishing it the way you want. The inletting is almost always way undersized, however it will be cut to conform with the action you specified it for.

Much work will be needed by you to turn the product into the beautiful piece you spent your money to end up having. With great patience it will be well worth the many/many/many hours you spend in final shaping and finishing.

Roger Linger - http://riflestocks.tripod.com

DeBee & Cobalt:

When I say rough, I mean: uneven in spots, lots of grooves / ridges from router bit, some "wavy" edges on the inletting cuts; all more or less fixable, as the inletting was a tad undersized (I actually ordered 1/16th oversize for glass). I ordered select English, and the piece is decent; no serious defects in the grain, knots, etc. some nice dark streaking, with pretty good (aesthetically speaking) flow. There is even a little fiddleback on the butt.

The inletting is straight with regard to the long axis of the stock -- I have heard this is often NOT the case with semi-inlets. The outside of the stock is fairly rough -- pretty much "as cut" by the pantograph, with some minimal heavy grit sanding in some areas -- no surprise there, it is a semi-finished stock. I was surprised to see some cast-off incorporated into the stock.

Delivery was a BIT longer than the quoted 3 - 5 weeks, say 9-10 weeks. Overall though, I am quite pleased with it. In the future, I plan on ordering the same stock in exhibition graded English for another gun.

Todd

P.S. Expecting digital camera soon -- if/when, I will post some pics.

Roger,

You posted while I was typing my evaluation. Compliments on the beautiful site -- you do nice work, both in web pages and stock finishing. Welcome to AR.

Todd

I to have that very stock and love it! The best fitting and comfterable stock I have ever shot. Richards puts out some good stuff.

Cast off? Is this standard or did you have to request it? Maybe the butt end just warped (jokingly)...

I forgot to ask, which style of stock you selected. I am leaning toward the old classic... any thoughts? Am I going to have to get a new cabinet rasp or can I get by with sandpaper (I really like the new 3M SandBlaster paper...)

Roger- Welcome! Your site is bookmarked in my favorites and I refer to it for inspiration often...

DeBee,

I am a traditionalist -- I went with the old classic. I had heard that it was nothing more than their monte carlo style with the hump sanded off, but it seems like a distinctly different design. It should even be okay for iron sights (this is a 416) -- I fitted the action and barrel today, and was doing some trial pointing. Cast-off must be standard, since I didn't ask for it.

If you're stocking a heavy, you might want to ask them to cut the forend a bit shorter, especially if you're having them put a tip cap on -- my is about 4" too long for my 24" barrel -- it just doesn't look right. Guess that means I'll have to put my own tip on.

You might need that rasp.

Todd

[This message has been edited by Todd Getzen (edited 12-16-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Todd Getzen (edited 12-16-2001).]

Todd / DeBee

You are very kind. Thanks.

My experience with ordering these semi's is its best to expect it to arrive after about double the time they tell you it will. It seems to be industry wide as far as I can tell. Anxiously awaiting the mail man doesn't do any good and calling the vendor on the phone doesn't seem to help much either. I've cussed, stomped, and slammed phones down. All I got was older. Just figure on it being that way and order way early.

Nice little forum you guys got here.

Roger