by GLS_1956 » 06 Apr 2016, 11:57 pm
Most of my long guns have wood, most but not all. Taking out the military surplus and the "Cowboy style" guns, of the 10 remaining rifles only two were offered from the factory with non wooden stocks, a Marlin Model 60 with the synthetic stock and Ruger's SR-556 (their rendering of an AR-15 platform). I did replace the factory Remington 700 Varmint Special's wood stock with an after market polymer stock. All of my shotguns have wood stocks. Of the handguns the majority have synthetic stocks/grips.
I love the looks of figured walnut on a gun, rifle or shotgun. And the feel and heft of wood is something else I like. Now the synthetic stocks while they lack the traditional beauty of wood give us, me, stability, durability and less concern over knocks and dings, also they tend to cost less than their wood stocked stable mates.
So to me if there is a choice between a synthetic stocked and a wooden stocked gun I'd be looking on why I'm buying it. Is it to be a rough and ready truck gun, to be there to lower the population of tin cans, tree rats, rabbits and vermin. Or is it going to be a gun that while taken to the field for the hunt is also a piece that is looked upon as a fine bit of craftsmanship. For me I will say the choice comes to form following function. So both are valid.
I've been asked: "How many guns do you need to have?" My answer remains the same: "One more."