richard's microfit stocks

[lpreddick]

starting a new build and looked at these stocks. a lot to choose from and their prices seem good. anybody used any? quality? pros and cons? thanks.

 

[1holeaddict]

I own one that was completed by a smith and its great. I started this same post several months ago and from the input i got was that there is alot of fitting and finishing involved also there were many guys that were complaining about the delivery times not being accurate. The guys who gave the thumbs up also stated that they didnt mind the hours of work they had to put into the stocks.

 

[jonbearman]

I would give shurley bros a call and they are site sponsers.I have one of theirs to just sand and finish. # hours of sanding and alittle custom shaping for my own needs and off to the spray booth.

 

[NateHaler]

starting a new build and looked at these stocks. a lot to choose from and their prices seem good. anybody used any? quality? pros and cons? thanks.

I would put them 2nd to last on my last. Last being a 2x4.

I kid you not, a buddy and I were so disgusted with the Richards product that we burned it -- literally -- in my fireplace. It burned okay, but at that price, could have had a cord of regular firewood.

 

[riverwolf1]

I have 4 of their stocks and I think you get what you pay four. 2 of them are for hunting rifles 1 of them I have almost finished inletting, the other will have to wait for a while. Then this year my buddy purchased a 6 mm BR of this forum and we ordered one of their BR stocks, after waiting the 10-12 weeks I fired off an email asking what the status of the stocks were, I received no call or email but 2 weeks later the stock showed up and it was ok but they made an error on the bolt spacing but I am not sending it back becasue I think I can correct it. I have stocks that I have ordered from Shehane and still had to do a bit of work to make them work! An example would be I ordered a stock for a Glue in(no forward stock screw) what I received is a stock with the stock bolt hole, so I just cut a plug from the rear of the stock. I would recommend Richards, just be prepared to do a little extra work. I am working on a Ruger 10-22 fitting one of their Tack Driver stocks currently, suppose to be easy to fit stocks but barrel channel was ordered for a .920 and it don't fit! The action area is also extremly tight so I will have to relieve that area also. No big deal just sayin it will take a little longer than expected.

 

[cncmill]

I ordered a sportster style stock for a Mauser action build. It took a lot longer to get than promised. Instead of 8 weeks it was more like 16 weeks. They said they were backed up because there CNC machine that does the inletting was down.

 

[normmatzen]

I bought a laminated sporter stock for my Mauser build. I was able to install the actioned barrel in the stock as it was delivered to check the barrel. No problem!

It took a bit of work to finish the stock, but I am a happy customer. I'm looking at their BR stocks for my second BR gun.

 

[Forum Boss]

I bought a laminated "tactical style" stock from Richards Microfit of California, ordered with Savage inletting. The area in the rear was so excessively hogged out that the rear action screw could not be attached. The whole rear action inlet area had to be built up and strengthen with glass and epoxy (done by Fred Moreo at SSS). Also the outside of the stock was extremly rough. It took many many hours of manual sanding to get an acceptable surface finish. Even with power sanders (be careful!) I think it would take 90 minutes or more of work to get the surface reading for clear. IMHO, save your time and money -- purchase a quality laminated stock from a good vendor such as Carl Bernosky, Joel Russo, Precision Rifle & Tool, Shurley Bros., or Bill Shehane.

 

[shooter63]

i would call tommy@ shurley brothers & be done with it you will not be disappointed regards shooter63

 

[mikegaiz]

I have built over 30 stocks using their blanks and only had one mistake, which they replaced. I have had no problems with them or their stocks. However I have never ordered a finished stock from them, so I can't speak to that.

 

[Outrider27]

I have no complaints with the unfinished Richards Microfit stocks used in my builds, but I approached their use with the expectation that I would invest 8-15 hours of my labor to properly bed and finish them. If you are not prepared to or do not desire to expend your time and labor in such a project, they are not for you. If you want a stock with the heavy lifting done, but requiring several hours of fine fitting and detailing, they are a good deal.

 

[Cody Richardson]

Loved mine, I had my Palma rifle in there prone style before I wet to tube guns. Like others have said my 8 week wait was more like 14. There inletting was a little rough but it wasn't terrible.

 

[NateHaler]

I have no complaints with the unfinished Richards Microfit stocks used in my builds, but I approached their use with the expectation that I would invest 8-15 hours of my labor to properly bed and finish them. If you are not prepared to or do not desire to expend your time and labor in such a project, they are not for you. If you want a stock with the heavy lifting done, but requiring several hours of fine fitting and detailing, they are a good deal.

OP and others thinking about this sort of alternative. Consider the value of your time as worth $XX per hour. Add in the cost of the stock. Then compare that to, oh, the cost of a perfect, impeccably bedded, good-as-it-gets stock job from Alex Sitman of Masterclass Stocks.

I figure my spare time is worth enough that 10 hours of toiling on a POS from Microfit would be MORE expensive than buying a WAY BETTER product from Alex Sitman. Your mileage may vary.

 

[JMCartwrightIII]

I tried Wenig - real nice - required a minimum of action area work

 

[shortgrass]

Richards leaves NO extra wood on the outside, so you could shape as you wish and Wenig leaves way too much! Inletting is just part of it, for a true custom fit. "Drop-In" is just that,, you'd have to learn to live with the gaps and I can't bring myself to that. Ed Shulin had good patterns. They, and the duplicator, now belong to Rick Shay. Now there's a pre-inlet I don't mind dealing with. Too bad I don't see Ricks web site anymore. Hope I can find his phone number.

 

[doc gordon]

i would buy another laminate from stockys then send your stuff to tom meredith for bedding!!

 

[gunnermhr]

I would put them 2nd to last on my last. Last being a 2x4.

I kid you not, a buddy and I were so disgusted with the Richards product that we burned it -- literally -- in my fireplace. It burned okay, but at that price, could have had a cord of regular firewood.

I'll second that, I didn't burn mine but sent it back only to wait another 3 months for something they screwed up. You can spend just a little more from a reputable stock maker and have to do a LOT LESS work to finish.

 

[lpreddick]

this is why i ask when i don't know. thanks everybody! i like doing a bit of woodworking and finishing but sounds too much like a crap shoot with richard's. i looked at all the suggested stock makers and am currently looking at shurley bros. thanks again.

 

[glo]

I have bought many of their stocks and will continue in the future. Richards is for professionals and let's just leave it at that. Its best to start elsewhere if you are not a hardcore wood worker. Many of the above suggestions are great.

 

[SongdogHunter]

RUN don't walk away and don't look back. Not worth the low cost!

SDH