Aftermarket M1A synthetic/laminate stock options?

[Black Majik]

Hey all...

I was just curious, I might be in the market for a M1A, and prefer the synthetic stock look, but I've heard the stories of the paint chipping off...

If you guys and gals can, name some good quality synthetic stocks for the SA M1A's...

I've heard of Fred's M14 stocks, but I read that receiving the stocks takes a long time and customer service is mediocre to poor?

Theres the Whamo-Camo route to repaint the stock. Not sure if I really wanna go this route since I'm not to entirely sure how well the paint will hold to regular use.

Laminated Stocks I might go for the laminated stock look. I do really like the way those look. Only one I saw a picture of was a Fajen Stock that looked nice but I hear they're outta business... Where else carries nice laminated stocks for a good price.


Oh and if you guys can, please post some pictures of your aftermarket stocks on your M1A's...

TIA!

 

[PO2Hammer]

MacMillan (McMillan?) Makes top notch stocks for M1a's. They might require glass bedding though.

 

[Matt-man]

The Springfield synthetic stocks are USGI synthetics painted with black crinkle paint. It doesn't wear well. The stock underneath is usually pretty beat up as well.

Brown Precision and Bell and Carlson make synthetics, both intended for service rifle competition. Wenig makes a laminate intended for use with a scope.

 

[Black Majik]

Thanks for the help so far,

I'm still looking around for a good quality black synthetic stock that wont break the bank. The Brown Precision site has one, but it runs at $300! A lil' more than I was hoping to spend.

Wenig doesn't have a link up for their M1A, but I'll check back to it. I hear that many of the people that used to work for Fajen now work here?

The McMillan stock is in Camo, which wasn't really quite what I was looking for.

Whamo-Camo: How are these painted stocks holding up? I'd like to hear from the people who have done business their experience with them. I see good positive reviews, and I believe Karsten is on here also. I was wondering average cost to have a stock painted, and how durable the finish is, whether it flakes off etc.

Thanks all!

 

[ocabj]

The McMillan stock is in Camo, which wasn't really quite what I was looking for.

McMillan stocks can be finished in any color or pattern. The default colors are the solid molded in finishes (black, grey, od, brown). Camo patterns are usually extra and can be customizable.

It is best you send your barrelled action to McMillan when you purchase a stock from them so they can bed the rifle properly. For the most part, M1As will require bedding in any aftermarket stock to get any decent accuracy.

I have a McMillan A-5 for my Savage 10FP. It is a finely crafted piece of workmanship. You can't go wrong with McMillan.

 

[Farnham]

Freds might take a while, but you can't beat the price. Any USGI synthetic stock, like the ones available here:

http://www.m1garandrifle.com/M14parts.htm

will fit your rifle surprisingly well (haven't bedded mine), and can be painted (or not) however you'd like.

or you can go here, where they keep the REALLY nice ones...

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteabrowse/4/10223/649***668***665***

and spend a whole pile of money.

SixTGunner (Whamo-Camo) and Karsten both do beautiful work (haven't got one from Whamo-Camo yet, but definitely will soon) and they use "plain old ordinary" USGI stocks to start with.

If you go with USGI, remember you'll have to fill the selector switch cutout with something, Bondo is common, but this:

http://www.sparrowhawkm14.com/

is way cooler...

Just my $.02, YMMV

 

[Farnham]

Forgot to add this link, I've gotten one stock from here...

www.ebay.com

This is what it looks like, the paint is holding up very well, it's just not as pretty as some...

 

[No4Mk1*]

I'd use Fred's. You havn't bought your M1A yet, so why rush? Any new stock will cost more than the surplus stocks that Fred sells. What is wrong with waiting a month?