Richards Micro-fit stock!

[NorCalMikie]

Only waited 4 months to get the wrong stock!
I guess I'll never learn. :'(
Ordered a "Right Hand" Benchrest Thumbhole in Apache Gold cut for a "left hand" action on 6/25/10. Got it today. Only problem, it's cut for a left hand shooter. ??? Check the ads. It's for sale.

 

[jonbearman]

Did you call them to tell them they made a mistake.Just wondering if they were going to make it right.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Did I call them?? I figured I'd better wait a while before I got on the phone with them. (some things are better left unsaid.)
The bad part was the "4 month" wait to get the wrong stock!!
I'll think on it and deal with it in the morning.
The last time I had a problem with one of their stocks, all they said was "So what do you want to do about it??" I sold that stock too!

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

I had considered one of their stocks for my last rifle build but, after reading all the nightmares on here about their stocks, I went with an HS Precision instead. I can't complain a bit about that HS Precision stock! I didn't have to wait long for it either !

Mike

 

[Steave]

From what I understand, they are anything but "micro fit," and require a LOT of additional work to get you action to drop in.

 

[Preacher]

You should learn to be ambidextrous Mike 'O)
Just think of all the possibility's ..........

 

[NorCalMikie]

If I can't walk through a revolving door and chew gum at the same time plus spell "ambidextrous", it seems I'am a lost cause. I guess it could be worse.

And Steave, FYI, the fit of the action in their stocks is getting better all the time. The action drops in to this one with no problems. Lots of sanding to do on the surface of the stock but that was expected. I'am just not "ambidextrous".
But then again, Preacher might have a good idea.
In my case, the only problem is the right hand probably wouldn't know what the left hand was doing. :-[

 

[gunnermhr]

I can't believe Richards still gets orders. I ordered one stock from them, ONE! It looked like a reject, the 3" forearm looked like someone tried to sand it to remove some blemishes, the problem was I think they used a belt sander and held it in one spot for too long. I called, and yes they replaced it with no hassles but I had to wait an additional 4 months for their screw up!!

Call Joel Russo

 

[ollie]

X2 call Joel Russo

 

[shortgrass]

E-Mail rick@stocksmith.net (Rick Shay). I don't think he has a pattern for a thumbhole but he may. The 'sporter' stocks I've had him turn for me have been great. These are not 'drop-in'. They must be hand fitted. There's just enough 'extra' wood on the outside to personalize the stock, most other pre-inlets have the shape that is 'set in stone'. He has great turn around times,,,, not 4 months, more like 4 or 5 weeks.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Update: The replacement stock showed up yesterday, in "4 weeks." Seems like they "can" punch one out pretty fast in they really want to.
I went with a straight right hand short action accu trigger cut rather than trying to get them to cut something different. :
I'am thinking I'll make a few modifications and pillar bed it for my "J" action. We're only talking 1/4" longer than the short action. The front action screw hole doesn't go all the way through so I can reposition it exactily where I want it.
My Richard's Microfit Wildcat Laminated Camo stock has a 2 1/2" forearm and the 3" on the benchrest stock will work better in the bags.
Inlet is a little rough but not really too bad. Outside looks pretty good and it shouldn't take much to get it ready for the Automotive Clear Coat. ;D

 

[ChuckMiller]

It's been about 3 years for me since I last did business with Richards Microfit. I'm about due to order again. It takes me about 3 years to get over the pi$$ed off feeling when I wait and wait, call and call, re-order and finally get my project stock with the crooked barrel channel. It will take me twice as long to sand the "5 miles of bad road" they left me. But hey, my time's worth nothing! I'll swear I'll never buy another stock from them.......3 years later I've forgotten all about it. Yep, I'm due to buy another one.

 

[normmatzen]

I must be lucky! I ordered a laminated action for my VZ24 Mauser sporter build and I got it promptly.
If there is any problem with the inletting, it is just plain tight! The action fits absolutely perfect. I will be enlarging the action cuts by simply touching up with fine sand paper.
I wanted to check the surplus 7X57 military barrel I had fitted to the action, so as soon as I had the external stock sanded to allow for the proper operation of the bolt etc., I assembled the rifle and went to the range.

1 1/2 MOA with no bedding or proper fitting of the rear piller!

I'm satisfied!

 

[Kenny474]

I ordered a Richard's Micro-Fit stock for my brother's Savage MK 2 FVT in a prone/culbertson style in AA Fancy Walnut. It was ordered in the second week of October and arrived a few weeks back, I believe 7 weeks total. The stock is just a gorgeous piece of wood, incredible grain and figure. Hard to believe it was only $220. The inletting was good, not great, but better than expected. The exterior needs some sanding for sure, but that's to be expected.

Now that it's snowing here and cold, my brother might let me have his gun long enough to actually finish the stock. ;D

I haven't fully decided what to use to finish it, as he left that up to me (he knows I will make sure it looks awesome for him). But I am leaning towards a hand rubbed oil of some sort, possibly tung oil, or maybe an Old English Refinishing kit from Brownells? I am going to do a bit more research before I decide. Whatever I use, it had better shine like glass.

Overall, very happy with my second Micro-Fit experience. Excellent wood that is simply beautiful.
My first, well it was just horrible. The inletting was rougher than a beaver chewed stump, it was too deep and went too far in a few spots, the barrel channel was just wavy and uneven the whole length, just a very poor stock, especially for a laminated bench stock. And it was supposed to be a "99% inlet". Yeah, right. 99% destroyed.

I will never order another laminate, but would definitely consider another high grade walnut stock in a second.

Kenny

 

[LWolken]

x2 what Kenny said. My friend ordered a thumbhole AAA fancy walnut several years ago it was about $350.00 best looking walnut I've ever seen. We have our smith doing the milling which is much better than richards but we still marvel at how nice that piece of walnut is.

 

[gamma]

Well they seem to be finally getting it together. I kinda thought they would at some stage. Ive yet to order from them as I was waiting for the day that Id hear of improvements. Ill wait a while longer though as I believe they still have some work to do before they get my orders.

 

[Kenny474]

I would like to add that while I did order a second stock from Micro-Fit, I ONLY did so because I was severely limited in options for a prone stock cut for a Savage rimfire, unless it was full custom and that was just too costly.

Had I not been in this situation, I would likely have never ordered another from them. My first nightmare was only just over a year ago, so it's very fresh in my mind.

Kenny

 

[NorCalMikie]

My first stock from them came looking like it was shaped with a dull chain saw. Took "hours" to get to the finish stage. And lots of work on the inlet.
The last 2 or 3 that I've gotten from them might have taken about an hour of sanding to get to where I felt like it would take a finish. As far as the inlet cut, it's real close to a "drop in".
This one has taken some time because it is cut for a short action and I've modified the inlet to fit my "J" action. Got the front and rear pillars in but I had to take a little off the front of the cheek to get clearence to pull the bolt. If it was a short action bolt, there wouldn't have been any problems.
Still can't get over the selection and price. Better than most around. Probably won't be my last. I think this makes # 6? ;D