Richard microfit stocks

[boltman223]

Has anybody tried to get a hold of them in the last couple of weeks? This is the 3rd week I've tried and no answer or return call.

 

[Forum Boss]

That's just about the last place I'd go for a laminated blank. I puchased one for a Savage, it was extremely rough and took many hours of hand labor to ready for the finish. Using epoxy, we also had to rebuild some of the inside which had been over-relieved. The words "never again" come to mind.

 

[riverwolf1]

Listen to forum boss, he is spot on tons of extra work to do on their stocks! They are also very poor at calling back or even answering the phone! I have 3 stocks from them and their hunting style stock aren't as bad as their target stocks! You can do better elsewhere!

 

[Big Mc]

Has anybody tried to get a hold of them in the last couple of weeks? This is the 3rd week I've tried and no answer or return call.

It all comes down to you get what you pay for.. Good No.. Cheap yes. Jusi my two cents.. Tommy Mc. Form Boss is spot on.!!!

 

[Shynloco]

Has anybody tried to get a hold of them in the last couple of weeks? This is the 3rd week I've tried and no answer or return call.

Boltman,
All you can do is to keep trying the phone or sending them emails. I've bought stocks from the Richards Microfit Stocks for several years. And after reading your post, I called one of my Gunsmiths who deals (and has dealt) with Richard's for several years to check to see if he had any info. He told me he was just at Richards this past week (Weds) and picked up three stocks they'd made and cut for some of his customers. He did say they are super busy with an increase in demand for stocks as more people are seemingly buying replacement stocks than ever before. So try and be patient OR goes elsewhere with your business.

And as for the Forum Boss's comments, certainly everybody is entitled to express their opinions. And though not inaccurate in regards to the needed work on a Richards stock, my first response would be, "what do you expect for the money?" Like some others have complained about in the past about the speed (to make) and condition of a new Richards stock, their stocks are 90 - 95% inletted and finished. They do not make the claim that their stocks are finished and state that in their advertisement. SO if you don't like what they make, are unhappy with their work or whatever, return the darn thing and your money will be refunded. And don't be unreasonable in your expectations. And if you believe what others complain about, don't buy from them. Means my next stock will arrive sooner as in the past, I've gotten my stock within as little as 3 weeks and one occasion about 2-3 years ago, one of their stock cutters broke down and it took several weeks for a replacement part to arrive from Sweden and it took them 4 1/2 months to make my stock.

Lastly for those who aren't aware, Richards (like it or not), is still one of the largest stock makers in the world and they export stock worldwide. They are a small family owned business and have but 5-6 employees and run their business out of what looks like a WWII Quonset Hut in a suburb of Los Angeles. I know personally as I've been to their shop on occasion where I was allowed to choose my wooden blocks from which my stocks were made. And for whatever reason, the owner of Richards has chosen or the years, not to expand the size of their facility.

Bottom line, they are still in business and very busy. So if you are unhappy with Richards, don't buy their products and go elsewhere. Thousands of other rifle owners are happy me with their product including me and hundreds probably thousands) others here in the SO Cal area. After all, Richards does not make a McMillan stock and do not charge you what a McMillan goes for. You do get what you pay for from Richards.

Alex

 

[Shynloco]

It all comes down to you get what you pay for.. Good No.. Cheap yes. Jusi my two cents.. Tommy Mc. Form Boss is spot on.!!!

I respectfully disagree with the "Good No" part as my Benchrest rifles having Richards stock shoot nice tight groups. Each to his own and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another of Richards stocks.

Alex

 

[Ggmac]

I've said this before and I'll say it again , Richards has a great product for the PROFESSIONAL . It's not for those lacking skills , tools and patience . Definately not for the instant gratification generation .

 

[Hopkins]

I recently ordered a Boyd's Pro Varmint laminated stock for a LA push feed Model 70 using the blind mag version. I am very pleased with the inletting and finish on the stock. I intend to pillar bed then skim bed it which will require a bit of additional inletting. For a drop in and screw tight, it would work as shipped.

 

[Tommie]

That's just about the last place I'd go for a laminated blank. I puchased one for a Savage, it was extremely rough and took many hours of hand labor to ready for the finish. Using epoxy, we also had to rebuild some of the inside which had been over-relieved. The words "never again" come to mind.

Been there and own the t-shirt. Never again.

 

[M-61]

I purchased a Richards stock for a Savage. Laminated. It surely did NOT appear 'cheap' but I am not knowledgeable about how to spot a 'cheap' laminate unless it's separating and this was not. HOWEVER I was not prepared to do the amount of work to fit the action nor barrel or anything else.
Consequently I returned it to them and they returned my money. Returned strictly because of the labor and skill needed to finish it. I don't think there was anything cheap about it quality wise but I know nothing about woods and the adhesives they used in its construction.

 

[tenring]

This guy does a great job on stocks:
http://russoriflestocks.com/Hunting_Pictures.html

 

[NorCalMikie]

First off, you get what you pay for. I've have or have had at least 10 Richard's Micro Fit stocks. That in itself doesn't make me an expert by any means but, If I was in need of another stock, Richard's Micro Fit is the first place to be looking and ordering. The selection of styles in itself makes them one of the better deals out there and the price makes them even better. Most other stock makers are almost twice the price with only about 1/2 the style selection.
If you're not prepared to do a little to a bunch of work to get the action to fit, start looking somewhere else. Richard's Micro Fit stock are NOT for the faint of heart.
I've had some come looking like they were cut with a dull axe (very dull) and others that were just about ready to drop in.
If you want a pre finished/fitted stock, plan on looking somewhere else. Plan on at least a couple of months till you get your stock.
Sometimes they're color blind. (blue comes green) Sometimes they can't tell the right from the left. (savage cut with the bolt release on the left side) And it's a waste of time trying to explain to them the difference. I tried and gave up.

Know "exactly" what you want ahead of time. Write it down and send your order by snail mail, sit back and wait till it shows up. When it shows up??? Your work has just started. Anything you do to get the stock fitted and finished makes it "yours"!!

 

[Forum Boss]

Re the question "what do I expect for my money?" That would begin with competent inletting. The stock I got from Microfit was so badly inletted that it basically had to be rebuilt in the rear of the action using a custom insert and epoxy. That cost money. Secondly the stock I received was quite flexy up front though there was plenty of wood in the forearm. Mind you this experience goes back to 2005-06. Perhaps quality has improved, but there are certainly many better sources for fine laminated stocks including Bill Shehane, Carl Bernosky, Russo, Shurley Bros., to name a few. I was also very happy with a laminated stock from Stockys Stocks.

 

[Shynloco]

Re the question "what do I expect for my money?" That would begin with competent inletting. The stock I got from Microfit was so badly inletted that it basically had to be rebuilt in the rear of the action using a custom insert and epoxy. That cost money. Secondly the stock I received was quite flexy up front though there was plenty of wood in the forearm. Mind you this experience goes back to 2005-06. Perhaps quality has improved, but there are certainly many better sources for fine laminated stocks including Bill Shehane, Carl Bernosky, Russo, Shurley Bros., to name a few. I was also very happy with a laminated stock from Stockys Stocks.

Lets be honest here and compare apples to apples. Nobody has compared what you get from Richard's to anybody else but YOU! Your comparison is anything but fair or equal. I'd never compare a Richard's stock to any of those stock makers you listed nor to McMillan. Not everybody has the bucks to have Bill Shehane make them a stock. BTW, I love Bills's stocks. And BTW, I know of shooters who've returned stocks they bought from Stockys because they didn't like the work. For your information (and everyone else's) I bought my first stock from Richards back in the late 80's. And I'd never consider even sitting down to any competition using a Richards stock. Been there, done that. So you are a bit late to the party my friend with your dates. And Richards has the same people as before and they've been in business since 1948. As I said (and so have others) your opinion is just that. And as I said, a Richard's stock requires more than a mere passing of sandpaper or a shot with a rotary tool. WE GET THAT. And as M61 said, he wasn't happy with his stock he bought from Richards because it needed more work he wasn't going to do. So he returned it and got his money back. At the same time, many others seem to have made out just fine as have I and are pleased with the results. AGAIN, my point is Richards is not for everybody and your concerns are duly noted. And like any other business that makes shooting accessories, you'll always get some to complain about something they make or having had a bad experience with their product. Heck other people still complain (including me) about some of the things some of our site sponsors do, make or sell. That certainly doesn't make them a poor or bad business to buy from. But trashing a business because you don't like their product, which is your estimate doesn't match up, is like comparing another's cheap car to a Cadillac or comparing horseshoes to hand grenades. Hopefully we can ALL put this to rest and you buy where you want, and all others can do the same.

Alex

 

[hogpatrol]

Sent a piece of walnut to Richards for a 700 SA, BDL style, rollover monte carlo. The Richards was a glove fit for the action, barrel and bottom metal, the outside was relatively rough and needed considerable finishing. The price was right though.
Sent two pieces to a "custom" guy in Pennsy, same style. The outside was smooth, just needed some final sanding, the inlet and barrel channels are in need of MAJOR work, and on one, the front action screw hole was drilled off center. Waited a year to get those two done and now have one that needs a hole relocated. At this point returning it is a non starter. It's extremely doubtful I'd do another wood stock but if I have to do it again with my wood, I'm going with the Richards.
Give me a good piece of Kevlar, fiberglass and aluminum any day.

 

[Tommie]

IN A NUTSHELL:
Different people have different expectations when purchasing a product. No biggie, folks.

 

[RW]

I would have to agree with Shyloco and Norcalmikie on this!! I have used Richards micro stocks since the 1970's and they offer many left hand versions that no one else offers at a reasonable price!! I have several left hand shooter right bolt versions that would take a custom stock builder to build and they don't come cheap!! I enjoy to do the finishing on the stocks as it makes it possible for me to add my personal touch!! I have had some of the so called drop in stocks that as mentioned by others I had to re drill the screw holes and modify the inletting!! As said before I'm sure they are not for everybody but for my limited budget I will be ordering more of them in the future!! RW

 

[AckleymanII]

That's just about the last place I'd go for a laminated blank. I puchased one for a Savage, it was extremely rough and took many hours of hand labor to ready for the finish. Using epoxy, we also had to rebuild some of the inside which had been over-relieved. The words "never again" come to mind.

+1

If you have ears, Hope you can hear this!!!

 

[boltman223]

I finally got a hold of them on Friday. Just busy i guess, but it would be nice if they answered (or at least called back) more often than every two weeks. if they would have answered two weeks ago they could have taken advantage of an impulse buy lol.

Their web page says %95 inletted so I'm expecting a little work.

So far I have to say I'm thankful for a company like Richard's. Having the option to modify a stock to my liking is pretty nice. So I guess In a couple weeks I'll be able to report back.

 

[Stingray]

Very satisfied with my stock for a 300 WSM. Cost was $95 and it took many hours of happily working away in my workshop. The stock was a blank that I had to inlet myself. Love the rosewood snabel forened.