Richards Microfit Gunstocks

[muffo]

Has any one delt with this company at all recently I am thinking of buying a semi finished stock to use for a while and a blank to make a stock. this company is the only company that makes a stock that will fit my action. I read some quiet bad reports about them but it was from 2007 so i was wondering if they had got better

 

[NorCalMikie]

The first question that will come up is if you can get one shipped "downunder"? You can look all you want but that doesn't mean they'll ship it.
I have 2 on order. Might get them in the next couple of months? They're pretty slow at times on cutting and shipping. One will have a "wider" than usual forearm so that could add to the delivry time.
Another thing to consider is the quality of the formed stock. Some have come out looking "pretty rough". Takes time and patience to get them to the finish stage.
If you are aware of that when you order, you won't be surprised at what you get. They have a good selection at a good price. They are not a drop in.

 

[Rustystud]

My experience was "they delivered what they said they would". (no puns intended)

I have never worked so hard to make a barreled action fit a piece of wood.

Semi finished means Semi unfinished also.

Just remember there are many more hours of work to be done.

Nat Lambeth

 

[NorCalMikie]

This one was a "pretty good fit" compared to some of the others that I've recieved. They might need to take a few lessons in tool sharpening or the use of a chain saw as well as inletting for a action ? Just know going in what you "might" get.

 

[McKinneyMike]

Russo Rifle Stocks! russoriflestocks.com Unless you love to spend hours and hours on a Microfit stock and hopefully not make any noticeable mistakes ;D

 

[NorCalMikie]

Here's one of the Joel Russo stocks. It is a true "drop in". About 5 minutes of sanding and it was ready to add the outside finish. They cost more than the Richards Micro Fit but you get what you pay for. Not sure if Joel will import to Australia but it won't cost you anything to ask.
He's easy to talk to and a good man to deal with.

 

[Matt Pitchon]

I have three Richards Microfit stocks. The inletting was good on their 98% stocks. The outside was rough, requiring alot of sanding with 60 grit to get the cut marks out of it and create smooth curves. Eventually, they looked good.

I just did a Steve McGee stock. The inletting was OK, requiring some minor fitting. The outside was excellent, requiring only finish sanding. If I had it to do again, I would send Steve the action to make sure it fit. Steve is a great guy to work with, and the prices were only slightly more than Richards. I would use Steve before I would do a Richards. I don't have direct experience with other stock makers.

 

[Forum Boss]

I would stay away from Richard's Microfit stocks (as opposed to Richard's Custom Rifle stock designs now made by West Custom rifles, http://www.westcustomrifles.com/). The Microfit stock I had was extremely rough on the outside, but more critically, the inletting had been overcut drastically, requiring expensive epoxy salvage work to restore enough material to anchor the rear of a Savage action. There are many better choices out there.

 

[katokoch]

I ordered a Richard's stock in January and just received it a couple weeks ago. Here's a few photos you may want to see:

(notice how uneven the butt is- fitting a checkered steel buttplate will be a challenge)

Inletting was perfect (except for the awkward hump in the back of the receiver), however it is a 10/22 stock and they make a ton of those. Otherwise, it's pretty rough. Worse than the other Richard's stock I've bought. Deep sanding gouges, chips along the cheekpiece, awful looking flutes along the grip, and a very crooked and uneven butt. Its redeeming value is the price- this was a factory second stock and despite the high grade wood, it wasn't very spendy ($150 shipped).

The other Richards stock I got required hours upon hours to make the inletting fit.

 

[McKinneyMike]

Here is one of Joel's latest stocks made from figured Bubinga

 

[muffo]

I Dont really have an issue with how rough it is as I was going to make one from scratch. I dont want a drop in stock as I want to fit it to the action and glass bed it. if it happens to fit thats just a bonus. Does anyone know about their communication? I sent them an email about sending stuff to Australia and they didnt reply

 

[therifler]

I placed an order with them about 4 months ago . stock came i fully was aware it would be rough both outside and inside . i sent an e-mail 2 months ago checking on the order . Today i got the stock never heard from them in response to the email . that being said i can make what i got work. but i have a mill to make it right which cuts alot of time off the job .if i were fitting it all by hand it would be alot of work .
The Rifler

 

[NorCalMikie]

You will probably get a email reply about 2 weeks from the time you send it. Their communications leaves a "lot" to be desired.

 

[jamesh]

I have 3 of there stocks sitting here. The one for a Model 70 Win is dead nuts on for the receiver inlet but will need to slightly open up the bolt handle cut and barrel channel because it is getting a varmint barrel on it and I didn't order a larger channel for it. The one for a Rem inlet will require very little work. The one I have for a Savage 110 is undersized and will require additional inletting for the action to fit in it. The Win stock is I believe a "rollover" and the other 2 are thumbhole Benchrest stocks with a 1 1/4" barrel channel inlet.

James

 

[muffo]

What is the processing in making the laminate. People have said that it shouldnt be a problem with customs as things cant live in it. My customs broker wants to know what the process of treatments is

 

[McKinneyMike]

If you are talking about the thin laminated style of stocks (1/16" to 1/8" layers), you would need to contact Rutland Plywood http://www.rutply.com/. They are probably the largest supplier to the gun stock industry. I am sure that they can provide your customs official with the required information regarding construction process.

 

[ChuckMiller]

Rules for working with Richards Microfit stocks.

1. Sanding one is like sanding 5 miles of bad road.

2. If you are not accomplished at doing stock work the results are going to be marginal...ie they require a lot of work.

3. Their customer service is not bad, how could something you don't have be bad?? I don't understand all the knocks about bad customer service!!!

4. Just because they have it in stock doesn't mean your going to get it quick so stop complaining. They haven't forgot you, see rule #3.....

 

[glo]

Richards Microfit Gunstocks are for professional gunsmiths only!!!

Having said that if you love working with wood and are NOT willing to start with bustard file for the outside, a dremel for the inside fit and about 16 to 32 hours of hard work from 100 grit to 600 grit paper… then find another source.

I have done many of their stocks (the sister company is Elkridge). I love working with wood and enjoy every minuet. Stock work is an art. If you get ebony tip and cap remember to seal it with shellac. Ebony is very oily and will wreck a Tung and or poly finish if not sealed.

Too add to the customer service complaint, remember Richards Microfit Gunstocks is for professionals. Gunsmiths are not part of the 24/7 mentality we have become a custom to. If you can’t wait 2 to 3 months then Richards Microfit Gunstocks is not for you.

 

[muffo]

I have no problem at all im not expecting to much on quality as long as i get the rough shape and a semi inlet the rest doesnt matter. the only problem is its very hard to order a stock from another country if they dont answer my email. and i have to make sure that they put on the postage that its laminated and treated of it will cost me heaps from customs

 

[glo]

These guys (gals too) are old school. You order; when they have time to pick-up the phone.

Then magicly 3 or 4 months later UPS has left a note that says your package is on the truck and a 2nd attempt to deliver will be tomorrow at 2:00pm. Hopefully, your at home to sign for it or you call the 1-800 number and pick it up will-call.

I doubt you will get much more communication then that.