Prefab Stocks: What Are the Different Types?

From an aesthetic point of view, the stock is the first thing you notice about a gun. It is a beautiful piece of any gun and is essential to its operation. A gun stock is essentially nothing more than a piece of wood, plastic, fiberglass, or another material manipulated into a shape supporting the gun’s barrel and action. It helps to conform the shooter’s body to the gun so that they have more control over the firearm. It is divided into two parts: the fore-end supports the trigger, and the buttstock is braced against the shooter’s shoulder. A stock can be divided even further into the comb, toe, heel, and grip.  

Many types of gun stocks are available, but the most common is prefabricated stocks. They can range from plain classic models without a cheekpiece to attractive modern styles like Weatherby. This article will divulge into every kind of stock available to use. 

Characterization of Gunstocks 

Gunstocks come in two different set-ups: a one-piece stock and a two-piece stock. In a one-piece stock, all parts are joined together in one entire piece, but in a two-piece stock, there are separate pieces for the fore-end and buttstock.  

 The but can vary in one-piece stocks, with the European style having a drop at the heel and the American style having a horizontal heel, which favors precision shooting.  

 Collapsible or folding stocks are also seen in military and combat guns. These types of stocks make the weapons shorter and more compact for concealment.  

What Features Can You Find on a Gun Stock? 

There are many features on a prefab gunstock, and many of them can be customized to suit the shooter’s wants and needs. Here are some of the features: 

The Grip 

The grip is located at the front of the buttstock, where a shooter’s hand would rest while firing the gun. Depending on the gun and the shooter, this comes in various shapes and sizes. 

Straight grip

This grip provides the shooter with a horizontal holding angle for the shooter to pull the trigger. It is smooth the entire way along.  

Pistol grip

This grip contains almost a handle placed at a 90-degree angle so that the shooter’s trigger hand can completely control the gun.  

Semi-grip stock

This grip is the most common rifle stock as it contains a steeper angle cut into the stock to provide the shooter with a resting place for the trigger hand.  

Anschutz grip stocks

The Anschutz grip is a larger version of the semi-grip stock and helps give the shooter more control.  

Thumbhole grip stocks

These are similar to pistol grips in shape and have a hole built so that the shooter can rest his thumb in a more natural position.  

The Comb 

The comb supports the shooter’s cheek and allows the shooter to aim before they fire. Again, there is some variability in the design of your comb depending on what you want from it. 

Straight comb

This is the default comb seen in most rifles. It is the simplest form as it is fully horizontal.  

Monte Carlo comb

This is usually found on guns that require scopes and feature an elevation within it to lift the cheek higher.  

Cheekpiece

This comb is different as it is a completely raised section at the side of the stock, which provides the shooter with comfort while they aim and shoot.  

Rollover Cheekpiece

This is an extension of the cheekpiece and provides height and width to the comb.  

The Fore-End

The Fore-end is a little less complicated as it only varies in thickness depending on the gun make and model. British shotguns have broad, flat-bottomed fore-ends, while AK-47 machine guns have short, small fore-ends.  

What Type of Material is Used for Gun Stocks? 

One of the main factors to consider when deciding what stock is best for your gun is the material it is manufactured from. The primary material used in gun stock is wood, but other materials such as plastic and metal are also used.  

Wood 

Wood stocks give any gun a more traditional feel, as they have been the industry standard throughout history. Many gunsmiths state that only wooden stocks provide the user with a specific warmth and feel that cannot be replicated with other materials. They carry a visual feel that is hard to replicate.  

 It has the best strength-to-weight ratio of all the materials used to fabricate gunstocks. Walnut and Maple is the type of wood that is typically used to make gunstocks, as they are hardwoods with great strength and dense grain. Wooden stocks come in a range of grades depending on the percentage of figure within the wood. Figure is a term used to describe the amount of grain in a piece of wood.  

Synthetic 

Synthetic gunstocks have been used for the last fifteen to twenty years and are made from materials such as fiberglass and plastic. These synthetic materials provide a superior level of performance as the material is explicitly formed for that purpose while a material like wood is carved into it. Synthetic materials are also less expensive than their wood counterparts.  

Factors to Consider When You Are Choosing Your Stock 

When you are deciding on the material you will use for your prefab stock, several factors need to be considered, including the following:  

Recoil 

Synthetic stocks are more robust than wood stocks. They provide the shooter with stability when they are taking a shot. They have been molded exclusively for this purpose and are easier to mold to your shoulder. This does not mean that wood stock will add a high amount of recoil; it is just synthetic materials are better overall.  

Accuracy 

When it comes to the accuracy of a shot, it may be surprising to learn that the stock or the material it is made from has minimal impact on it. Accuracy in a firearm comes from other areas of the gun, such as bedding quality and barrel quality, along with many other factors.  

Durability 

When it comes to the durability of a stock, any stock made from a synthetic material is more durable. They are weather-resistant, water-proof, and can’t be damaged very easily. They are all problems that wooden stock would have. If you are someone who hunts a lot in the wintertime when the weather may be wet and unsightly, a synthetic stock is the best one to use.  

If you wish to learn more about prefab gunstock or gunsmithing, visit MGS Trade School, which has a wealth of information and courses to suit your needs.  

 

By: Ryan Clancy, Engineering HQ