Zach, A couple points, 1 the first rifle and the blank are both claro walnut. The 2 completed rifles were (highly modified) pre-inlets from Richards.
You can't see it in pictures but there are a couple spots I had to fix in the inletting. I have to show 95% of people where they are, they wouldn't find them on their own but I always want to try for perfection which is why I purchased a blank for a new project. Now if I can just find my Pre-War M-70 action.......
I'm still learning about stockmaking - the 2 rifles are my 3rd and 4th rifles I've stocked. I wanted to show that even though they might not be perfect that with some work you can make a rifle out of a Richards Microfit inlet that doesn't look too terrible.........DJ

Scot,

That is about the best assessment I have read. That is pretty much the way I see it.

I started on one of their semi inlets, a second I believe, simply because I was worried I'd screw it up. Surprisingly, I did much better than I thought. The blemish is all but invisible however their poor inletting could not be corrected. It was kind of a bummer in the end when my work surpassed my expectations but their poor inletting detracted from what would have been otherwise a nice handle. I suppose if I would have done worse I would appreciate the fact that is was a very inexpensive piece of wood.

Thanks z1r. I guess to put it put it more clearly, they cater to the hobiests, not professionals.

Wstrnhntr, I'm planning to work that blank without turning. My current project was a more expensive stick that was pantographed by a professional. It still had little spots that I'm not satisfied with. I want to work on one where all of the mistakes are my own..........DJ

Poor inletting I'd say. Service is beyond poor. There "satisfaction guaranteed" doesn't include shipping or the fact that they bitch and moan if you return something. They also have no idea what the dimensions of their stocks are. I called once and asked for DAH, DAT, and of they could install a toe-in pitched pad - you'd thought I was speaking martian. Worthless I say, worthless.

GAG is also fairly worthless...

Anyway...

I have one of their seconds for a 8x57 sporter,I was quite pleased with the wood,it was showy Claro.The inleting was more the hogging out,which was fine with me.I ordered a rool-over to get more wood to shape.The faults and soft wood, I can fix with epoxy.The Rosewood forend and grip cap don't match,but the forend is a dead ringer for bloodwood,so that's what the cap will be.For what I paid, it is more than I expected,but it is also this winters project.Next time for a less showy blank,I will pay three times as much.

Seems like we have mixed opinions here.

I'm looking to stock the 1917 in a more classic style stock. The bottom metal was already straightened out and was in a bishop stock. The stock was cracked but I didn't care cuz it was clubby and ugly at best.

I'm not looking for showpeice material because even though I know which end of a gouge to hold, my abilities are moderate at best. If the action was inletted good enough that I just have to remove material to fit it; I believe I could handle that.

I thought their classic 102 stock with an ebony 90 tip would be a sharp looking peice for well under $300. I'm gonna call them today and see if they "shop fit to their action". If they do I'm in business.

Now another question.

How about great american gunstock Co. The G&H also would fit the bill I'm guessing.

thanks.
turfman