straightshooter wrote:I suppose it may be an issue for somebody, who for one reason or another, wants to be seen to be keeping up with the latest 'technology'.
Yeah, I can see why some may go with what I call cyborg stocks:
- TSK-BLACK-675x675.jpg (23.08 KiB) Viewed 2697 times
And without going into detail, you can tell the R&D they've put into this makes it
bladeracer wrote:not "simply" cheap
But I think what I'm hearing is for consistency (in manufacture and in the hands of an average joe shooter), synthetic materials win as they can be more stable (a material) than wood.
.. I would probably agree (less variables = more consistency).
But I also hear what is being said ..
straightshooter wrote:decent wood always feels right.
for me its because the proportion of where art becomes part of it is elevated when going beyond the base model firearms with synthetic stocks .. there are obviously those 50K ornately engraved shotguns that royals purchase (heard Prince Harry had to sell his pair of Purdey rifles when he got married
) .. but I'm not talking of that type of art as it's way out of my league
.. I probably started this thread as a shoutout to those who appreciate the technique and craftmanship that goes into creating a custom stock that fits like a glove and carving it out of a high grade bit of timber .. factoring in the grain direction and that they may only get one chance to get it right.
It's like "straight out of the factory stocks" (both synthetic and wood), made for the masses, can get most competition shooters to a totally respectable point but there's a great craft out there where custom stock makers are doing really nice work that I like to stop and appreciate.
What I'm not seeing though, is where they get their materials from ... is it a common thing to order high grade stocks from overseas, via a local specialist timber (shotgun blank) importer or just choose what's available from the shops direct
bladeracer wrote:There are reasons people nowadays might prefer wood, but it can probably be considered "custom" nowadays to suit a specific person's preferences, whether aesthetic or tactile.
Yeah I think it is that way. Generalising, I think most buy competition shotguns for functionality to improve scores initially not prioritising timber into the price they're willing to pay .. but then gradually trade up until they're happy with a shotgun and start entertaining the idea of getting a custom stock done.
I'd probably even consider buying a nice blank stock if I came across a nice one .. or at least know what sort savings I'd need for something local ..
Just hope that the whole craft doesn't die out when it comes my turn