Does anybody know the web address for Michael Kokolus, Custom Stock Maker?

You can call information for his telephone number. He is in 570 area code.

5709243279

http://www.gunstockduplicating.com/

Here ya go.

Anyone ever hire him?? I need a shotgun stock duplicated thats cracked to beat hell.

Mike is a sweet guy-

He likes to talk... and he'll do a good job for his price.

He's cut two stocks for me, back when I wanted to build rifles.

The first was a mediocre blank, and his job was serviceable.

When I sent him a sweet piece of wood, he put appropriate effort into it, and charged me a little more.

I'd send him another blank in a second.

flaco

Flaco, how "close" was your stock duplicated?? Can you estimate how much time you spent inletting etc.. Im not to worried about getting my stock checkerd right now. I just need to get a stock on my shotgun before goose season.

Mike is the best duplicator that i've ever seen. he's far better than gunstocks or richard's micro fit

I have seen a couple done by Al Lind, and he does fantastic work as well.

http://www.allindgunmaker.com/

I spoke with Kokolus on the phone, (for about an hour and a half), one day. A great guy, I have not used his services yet, but I would not hesatate. His reputation is solid.

Looking at the completed rifle, Max, I'd say he did an exceptional job.

I believe most all duplicators cut the inletting just a few thous. undersize.

So there will be some scraper work for you to do.

Still, the pattern I sent him had been bedded, so there wasn't that much work left.

He really cleaned up the stock, and shipped it back in a a timely manner.

To say that someone is better than Richard's Micro-Fit is damning with faint praise.

There's no comparison.

Mike is stockmaker.

flaco

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
Mike is the best duplicator that i've ever seen. he's far better than gunstocks or richard's micro fit

Jeffeoso, you put me onto Michael about a year ago. I've heard nothing but praise about Michael since then. Just lost his web address and wanted to update. Getting ready to move on my 458 Lott. I've seen some of your work and it's very pleasing to the eye. Thanks Jeffeoso.

olcrip,

i have been using mike for over twenty years now, he used to live right outside of allentown pa about an hour from me. i still send him work when i need to. he does like to talk and is a very personable fellow. he is a stockmaker, he even had one of his rifles featured in rifle magazine years ago. i have never gotten anything back from him that wasn't right.

max

quote:

Originally posted by flaco:


I believe most all duplicators cut the inletting just a few thous. undersize.
..

To say that someone is better than Richard's Micro-Fit is damning with faint praise.

There's no comparison.


flaco

Flaco,
Mike is probably the BEST available. His work is not a "few thous undersized." it is the best. One still must do the sharp corners and finish work, but mike does the BEST of all the duplictors. Like every other form of expression, there are the usual referents, and then the artist. Mike is a grand master.

RMF and GAG probably turn out close to 100X the stocks mike does. Their job is to mass produce, mike is an artist.

So, tell us, in your basis for opinion, how many GAG, RMF and Kokolus stocks you have used to build rifles with, to have a true basis for comparison?

I have no intent to rekindle any old animosities with you, Jefe-

But I did have stock cut by John Vest.

Perhaps you should sample work by a few others before you make sweeping generalizations?

I've fitted stocks by GAGS--not bad--and there's plenty of room in my world for Richard's.

Their wood is an exceptional bargain, but they don't often answer the phone, and they take months.

Still, I really like the rifle I built with their "Old Classic" pattern: It has 2 1/4" Varmint fore end, VZ 24 action, a 28" True-Flite barrel in 6mmBR.

It's a single shot with sled.

Go figure!

[As an aside, mainly it feeds, but, once again, I'm indebted to Duane and his instructions on massaging the front of a Mauser extractor so it will slide over the cartridge.]

Although Mac can do this, too.

Sadly, Jefe, it looks like we'll never agree.

You like big boomers, and I favor little cartridges. My 6x47 Lapua shot back to back 1.5xx" 600 yard five shot groups in our club match, and this is the kind of thing that makes me happy.

I hope there's room for both of us on this forum.

Good fences make good neighbors?

flaco

If someone wants to host a couple of images of my rifle with the Kokolus stock, I'll be happy to forward photographs.

It's a nice piece of wood, from Murat, and Bill Soverns did the minimal checkering.

What a great guy Bill is!

I miss him.

My one regret is that I didn't have time to rust blue the metal, as I did on my first two projects.

I've come to despise shiny actions.

flaco

N.B. And yes, I'll stand by my statement "To say that someone is better than Richard's Micro-Fit is damning with faint praise."

You don't seem to disagree, Jefe?

Flaco, email the pics to the addy in my signature. I'll post em for you.

Mike has done over two dozen stocks for me over the years and alot of lumber I buy goes strait too him. He has wood of mine at his shop now and I'm sure I will be using him from here on out. Can't say enough great things about the guy.

Don't sell James Anderson short.
Butch

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:
Don't sell James Anderson short.
Butch

No doubt. I have had stocks duplcated by Kokolus, Stickelstad, GAG, James Anderson and Shane Thompson.

While there is no doubt Kokolus puts out a good product, I would still rather use Anderson or Thompson. They're about a $100 more last time I checked but the equipment they use makes a very close duplication compared to a lot of others. Yes, it's more expensive but it will save you a lot of time fitting the metal to the wood on the finished stock. this alone makes the extra cost worth it to me.

Shane Thompson uses a George Hoenig duplicator. James Anserson uses a James Anderson duplicator that is super nice. The only draw back is these guy's do a lot of other things besides duplicating and can't always jump right on it.

I'm not knocking anyones goods or services here, only stating my preferences.

Terry

Hey guys, I didn't mean to start one upsmanship match here. I found out about Michael from Jeffeoso about a year ago..... I made up my mind at that time that Michael will do the stock on my first DGR. I just needed his web site and his phone number again because I lost it. I'm sure that all the other craftsmen that were mentioned are very good but Michael will do my job. Thanks a bunch for all the input.

I don't think there was any "one upsmanship" here. I don't think anyone here tried to sway you in any other direction. This is a discussion forum and that's what's going on here.

Terry

I know that Terry. I just had to stir things up a bit on this working man's holiday for some excitement. This is my first stock that I am farming out and in my heart I like what I've learned about Michael. Enjoy your watermelon like I am.

I'm like Terry. I have heard good things from Kokolus and expect you to get a fine job.
Butch

Thanks Butch. I'm getting excited about putting this project together.