Richard's Microfit Gunstocks

[katokoch]

Unless the buttplate has a checkered design or large trapdoor, you could use the original buttplate if you spent some time grinding it down along the bottom and sides to fit the smaller butt... Unless the butt has quite a bit of drop along the bottom edge it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[butchlambert]

You are a lucky person. You also did a very nice job on it.
Butch

 

[howl]

The Micro-fit stocks are a gamble in that the inlet routing may be WAY off. The inlet work on the one I got was well off the center-line of the stock. I basically had to remove wood to leave a shell, re-build the core with bedding material, and bed the action slightly twisted with in relation to the exterior of the stock to get it to fit. I had to do all that because Richard's Micro-fit told me I did not know what I was doing and refused to take the stock back when I informed them the inlet was off.

Luckily, a good, stress-free bed job is what matters so the rifle turns in sub-MOA groups all the same. I just try not to look too closely at it so I'm not reminded of the inordinate amount of time, money and effort was required to make it usable.

If you google Joel Russo you will find a much better alternative. If it were me I'd do that or just order a McMillan and forget about the laminate.

 

[flatlander]

I almost cancelled my order for a Culbertson prone stock from Richards Microfit after reading some of the comments here. However, when it finally arrived, I was quite pleased with it. The exterior finish is much smoother & nicer than I'd expected from some of the comments I'd read here. The inlet was a near drop-in fit for my push-feed M70. I've got to do some inletting for the Jewell HVR trigger and the barrel channel is smaller than the heavy Krieger I've got installed, but that's to be expected when you get into a rifle with custom/aftermarket parts installed.

This is a laminated stock in the camo color pattern, and there's plenty of extra material left in the areas of the stock that I'll want to fit to my preferences. That's just the way I'd want a DIY target rifle stock blank to be delivered, and just what I expected. I've built several rifles for myself & customers using B&C, McMillan, and Robertson Composites stocks, and they're faster & easier to fit, as the exterior finish is already done, and in the case of the B&C and McMillan, the inletting is practically 100% done when you get them.

It all depends on what you want and are willing to wait & pay for. This stock is pretty much just what I wanted & expected, and I have no complaints except that it took several months to get the stock. The wait for a McMillan is nearly 6 mo., and a Robertson varies from 3 to 6 mo. Compare that to 2-3 weeks for the Shehane Tracker I recently purchased from D&B Supply - and the inletting & exterior finish of the Shehane obiche stock is terrific too. I'm just glad we've got the selection of custom stocks available to choose from.

 

[gamma]

Has anybody within Richards Microfit had a look at these comments.It seems they have a goldmine waiting to be unveiled if they could only improve on there customer service.It would be great to hear there response to recent criticism and hear what they intend doing if anything about there apparent rough work and poor turnaround.Looking at there site,I think they could be one of if not the best stock producers in the history of firearms stock manufacture.Lets hope we live to see it.

 

[katokoch]

Has anybody within Richards Microfit had a look at these comments.It seems they have a goldmine waiting to be unveiled if they could only improve on there customer service.It would be great to hear there response to recent criticism and hear what they intend doing if anything about there apparent rough work and poor turnaround.Looking at there site,I think they could be one of if not the best stock producers in the history of firearms stock manufacture.Lets hope we live to see it.

I think it would greatly benefit the company to either:

A. Advertise their product with the understanding that there is a fair deal of work required on the buyer's part to have a finished product

or

B. Improve quality!

Either way, it seems like most folks who buy Richard's stocks have expectations that are too high and don't expect to have some work to do.

 

[NorCalMikie]

One of the best finished stocks I've had was the one that I got from Boyds. A VIP for my M1A. Looked like a piece of fine furniture. A quick once over with a piece of "very fine" sandpaper and it ws ready to finish. Couldn't have been better.
Then you see one that you like from Richards Micro Fit. Your expectations are real high, "then" you get the stock. And even after waiting up to 6 months. Talk about a let down?
If you know going in what to expect, it won't be too bad.
They do have a good selection. And if your luck runs good, you might even get a nice one! :thumb:
If you see one that you like, order it and forget about it. Be ready to do some work on it. When it shows up, you'll think it's Christmas.

 

[Steve]

Anybody have contact info for Boyds? I couldn't find it on search or on the main home tab under gunstocks.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Try www.boydsgunstocks.com. Just went there and it looks like they've got a new web page since I was there last. Havn't been there for a while but I spotted something that I like so I'll go back and get a better look.,it's only money.)

 

[NateHaler]

It was about three years ago that a friend and I burned his Richard's MicroFit stock in my fireplace, because the thing was just such a POS. It would have taken many hours to make it serviceable, and he was promised a drop-in fit, just needed sanding and final finish.

Rather than deal any more with the grouch who ran the place, and the 90 minute drive to Soquel or wherever it is, John said this thing is just kindling. It burned pretty well, far better than it was suited for a rifle stock.

 

[katokoch]

I think Richard's does hold one advantage to Boyd's in their selection... you can pick from a wide variety of stock styles in a wide variety of hardwoods or laminates from a long list of action inlets. Lots of possible combinations and you can have special orders easily made.

C'mon Nate, isn't sanding fun ?

 

[Rustystud]

It did not take but one Richards Micro Fit stock to convince me one was enough. I have a much highter regard for stock makers and those who work with wood, expecially those who work with laminates.
Rustystud

 

[243jimb]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the input so far. The problem with all the companies mentioned in the replies is that none of them make a stock to fit the A-Bolt or at least they don't make one without me sending them my rifle. As I live in Canada that is a real hassle. I'm really looking for someone who can make it to a pattern and I am prepared to do the fettling with the inlet and of course the finishing. I appreciate everyone's input.
Jim.

 

[NorCalMikie]

You might check with Joel Russo. He has a lot of patterns stored and might be able to work something up for you. Worth a try. jkrussos@comcast.net

 

[Steve]

So for either the Richards microfit or Boyds, endurance wise, any warping issues? Any inlet issues?

After all said and done what kind of price have you invested in say a MBR style stock?

And for the custom adjustable pieces,buttstock and cheek pieces) where did you find the best deals?

In your opinion which one would be better for someone with minor to moderate wood working skills,no finish kitchen cabinet builder here but I have glass bed and devcon bed factory wood stocks before with good success) and didn't want to spend a grand or more on a laminate stock by having someone else finish it?

 

[NateHaler]

So for either the Richards microfit... Any inlet issues?

Are you kidding? DON'T BUY ONE.

Get a stock from Steve McGee or Russo, and be done with it. Being cheap isn't gonna save you money. It's gonna cost you money.

 

[Steve]

Not trying to be cheap, just trying to get the best bang for the buck so to speak. and the pride coming from doing it yourself, learning as you go etc...

 

[NorCalMikie]

I think you could expect to pay between $300.00 and $500.00 for a pretty good stock. Maybe $150.00 or $200.00 more than a Richards Micro-Fit or Boyds. Seems like a few years back there were problems with warping on the Richards Micro-Fit stocks but I havn't heard of any in recent times. If you find one in the style that you "can't do without", get it and plan on doing some work. I have 2 and with some work, you can get a stock you can be proud of. Some were rough as cobbs and others have showed up looking pretty good. Just don't expect a $1000.00 stock for $250.00, or less. Sandpaper and work will get you a stock that you can say "I did it". A little Tru Oil Gunstock finish will do for starters. You've got to start somewhere. Just like a paint job on a car, the prep work will show up on the finished product.
One other thing will be the delivery time on a Richards Micro-Fit. Be for warned! You can expect a long wait. Order it and don't expect it to show up tomorrow. If you want it "NOW", forget it. If it does show up tomorrow, you'll be the first.

 

[Plugger]

Call Bruce Baer. He will make you any style with any inlet you want and it will work.

 

[Julietvictor]

I ordered a AAA Extra Fancy Black Walnut Target Thumbhole Stock and I am quite pleased with it. Other than an extensive wait, I had no problems with communication, via email or telephone, and actually ordered another laminate stock,Target Thumbhole also) while I was waiting for the first one. Once I received them, I was quite pleased with the stocks. The inletting was decent but I had to open the barrel channel a wee bit. Overall, I am pretty impressed, especially for the price, and will order another one shortly. I just need to settle on a style. They needed finishing work, of course, but not as much as I was expecting.