On a classified discussion, I saw reference to Boyds Microfit. Perhaps it's Richards Microfit instead.

About a month ago, I bought two of the JRS specials from Midway, when they were on sale. Upon inspection, I sent them right back, because the tang was sticking up too far, when I set the action into the stock. Perhaps it just needed to be inletted deeper, but the stocks didn't look right, and I just didn't feel like messing with them.

So, are the Richards Stocks any better?

Also, if I wanted a really good stock, are the higher grades by such companies like Richards really as nice as the pictures they show?

Thanks,
KB

I've seen an "old classic" in person and it looks nothing like the picture.

Terry

If you don't feel like messing with them NONE of the semi-inlet stocks are for you. I don't know if accurate innovations is still in business but that might be your best bet.

I have become increasingly dissatisfied with stocks from these makers. I haven't used a Boyds, but had a chance to play with / look at one and wasn't terribly impressed. You can count on all of them to send you something other than what you ordered, usually with a "not a big deal, easily repaired" void as part of the bargain - at least 50% of the time in my experience.

They all make great firewood though. The last chunk of Bastogne firewood I had only cost me $165 - I assure you it will be the LAST.

Todd

The void left by Fajen has never been filled.

quote:

Originally posted by dempsey:
If you don't feel like messing with them NONE of the semi-inlet stocks are for you.

Perhaps I didn't explain myself clear enough. The reason I didn't want to mess with these particular stocks is because the tang metal of the action was sticking up above the stock, just a little bit too much, when the action otherwise appeared to be sitting correctly into the stock. Perhaps it could have been corrected by inletting the action deeper, but probably not too. Inletting deeper may have then required filling with glass bedding, then I would be back to the start. I didn't want to mess with it because if I modified the stock, I couldn't return it. I believed there should have been extra wood there on the wrist and tang area of the stock.

Perhaps there is a difference in the Midway stocks and the unfinished version direct from Boyds?

I understand that there is a lot of work in finishing a one of these stocks, but I want some assurance, by initial inspection, that the end result will be acceptable. If the tang of the action is not flush, then the rest of the stock doesn't matter.

KB

quote:

The void left by Fajen has never been filled.

Vacum might be a better choice of words but in any case Bill truer words were never spoken! I for one sorely miss Fajen & Bishop for that matter!

Even the drop-in stocks I got directly from Fajen, when they were in business, still needed some tweeking. If you don't want to do any of that, I agree with the opinion above, don't buy one. I have not seen Boyd's product be different from them vs. Midway. I would just inlet it a little deeper, if it otherwise fits your needs.

kabluewy, I think I understood it correctly. You may indeed have gotten a lemon but I think most of them are going to require plenty of inletting. In a lot of cases time is spent trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear. I think the larger volume people like Richards are in a spot where some people want it to be a near drop in and others want more wood left to remove to ensure a better fit. I will say Richards has done well for me as far as wood grading. Often times the wood is as good as a blank costing what an entire stock costs from them. I find it better to find a blank and send it off to a person with a duplicator and a pattern I like who also does what I consider a good job. Everybody has their own definition of that.

I just recently purchased two Boyds JRS Classic "seconds" for my Mauser projects. One was a walnut, the other a Blk Laminate. They were $39 a piece. One had the high tang like you described, the other had a small chip inside the mag well. I'm not building a $2000 custom rifle, so these are perfect for what I'm doing.

I just finished the walnut stock on my 257Rob. Here is a pic of it. Not bad for a $39 stock.



I personally think for the amatuer like me who just wants to do it theirself, these are great stocks. They are not going to win any awards, but they look decent and you get the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

I especially think they are great for those who want to get their feet wet. Screwing up a $39 stock doesn't hurt as bad.

Thanks All,
Looks good to me. I think I'll give it another go.

KB