Full Stock Addiction

[Dave DeLaurant]

Step One is to admit you have a problem -- but only if you need to be cured. This seems to be an addiction I still really want.

It started about 20 years ago with the purchase of a Heym-manufactured Wards/Western Field 724A EHM in .30-06. This has an intermediate-length Mauser 98 action with bells and whistles, including a butterknife bolt handle, lever release floorplate and a hardwood stock with very '60s styling cues. It was in near-new condition, and I later added a Sears-branded Weaver 2.5x scope for what I consider the total pre-GCA68 mail-order package.



About five years later I invested a small windfall into a CZ-527FS in .233 Remington. I had a scope on it for a time, but later switched to the NECG receiver sight and matching gold-filled front sight shown here. I also bought a replacement triggerguard from CZ to allow the use of more flush-fitting 3-shot magazines. I'd like to lose the ventilated recoil pad one of these days, but she's still pretty stunning as-is.



This year I finally landed the Big Kahuna. It made it to its new home today, a genuine, unaltered 1903 Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbine in 6.5x54mm.



I could immediately see why so many M-S stocks have wrist damage -- that sucker is slim! I was comparing the feel with the other two rifles, and while none of the trio are particularly heavy or stout, the Mannlicher's trim wrist made the others feel like I used to when I visited my in-laws:



I took the M-S barreled action out of the stock to read the markings under the stock line. They show that this rifle was proofed in 1928. As far as I can tell, everything looks original and unaltered.



I can't wait to get this puppy to the range!

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I also like those full stocked rifles. Just a classic look to me.

Oddly enough, so did Saddam Hussien (sorry, odd thing to pull but a bit interesting I think);
Saddam Hussein's Personal Ruger M77 Bolt Action Mannlicher Rifle -The Firearm Blog

My brother pointed out the above to me when I got my M77 Mannlicher.

 

[tark]

Beautiful rifles, Dave. I'm a half stock man myself, but that little M-S in the original caliber is a thing of beauty. Kind of like Koby Bryant, how can anyone NOT like it?

 

[entropy]

Nice. That third one is one of my bucket list rifles.

 

[tmd16556]

I always thought Saddam was holding an Enfield there and never bothered to look up close. It seems a lovely rifle to shoot, hunt, or display. Just not the one I’d go for in an intimidating military parade. Then again, what do I know… I think peace, freedom, and democracy are good things (not to mention that I can’t do the mustache), so I’d probably make a bad evil dictator.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Im also a sucker for full-stocks.....
The M/S 1903 is definitely a grail-level score, very nice!

 

[Old Hobo]

Count me among those who adore full length stocks.

If someone keeps pushing you to justify why full length stocks have purpose, don't punch them -- you'll only get thrown in jail. Just tell any such person that barrels get stove hot and you like putting many rounds through your rifles. You don't want the flesh of your forward hand to cook and peel-off on an exposed barrel. One keeps that hand on the underside against the forward furniture, the rifle's sling being your other friend. I have rifle slings on all my rifles and not just to carry the rifle, but also to fix into position my forward arm. Rifle slings are essential for accurate shooting in the field. And hey, those long stocks are dang nigh essential also, are they not!

For me, a long stock is beauty manifest. I'm no black rifle fan. I love a classic look to a firearm.

Historically, militaries put furniture forward on a battle rifle to prevent their soldier's hands from getting cooked on the hot barrel. We've all been to the range and have watched the heat deform the air above the barrel. Love my Enfields in this regard.
.

 

[ECVMatt]

Those are truly beautiful, Dave. There is just something special about a full stocked rifle! It is hard to put a finger on it but they allow one to be sentimental without being mawkish.

That is a great collection!

 

[Old Hobo]

Those are truly beautiful, Dave. There is just something special about a full stocked rifle! It is hard to put a finger on it but they allow one to be sentimental without being mawkish.

That is a great collection!

Spot on!

I'll second what ECVMatt said.

However, I simply must hate Dave DeLaurant for posting those photos. He has generated in my heart of hearts a lust to go out and spend too much money on a rifle with a full-length stock. DeLaurant is cruel beyond measure! Woe betide me!
.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Beautiful Dave! I feel the same way you do, just about Musket stocked single shot rifles. Someday i'll have a military musket roller.

 

[troy fairweather]

Sure are nice, I've always liked full stocks. Still debating if I do a full stock on my 09 Argentine build in 9.3x62, really only option is a Richards micro fit stock and I'm not sure how it would come out no ever seeing one of theres.

 

[Archie]

I also like those full stocked rifles. Just a classic look to me.
Oddly enough, so did Saddam Hussien (sorry, odd thing to pull but a bit interesting I think);

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn from time to time. Adolf Hitler is reputed to have liked dogs. I still like dogs after hearing that.

...really only option is a Richards micro fit stock and I'm not sure how it would come out no ever seeing one of theres.

Richards MIcro Fit is on one of my rifles. Not a Mannlicher type stock, but it comes as advertised. Gets my endorsement as 'one in row'.

 

[marksman13]

I’m a fan. I come by it honestly. My dad loved the look of a full stocked rifle.

CZ 550 FS in 30-06 that I purchased from a fellow THR member back in 2018.

CZ 453 FS in 17 HMR that I bought for my dad after his liver transplant.


Ruger No. 1 International in 30-06. This one is my favorite. Dad always wanted one, but never could justify spending the money on himself.


Ruger No. 1 International Stainless in 6.5x55

 

[375supermag]

I am also a big fan of Mannlicher style full stock rifles.
Only own one but would like to add a couple more...just because, which is plenty good enough reason.

 

[Pat Riot]

I also love full stocked rifles. I used to call them “Mannlicher stocks”. Is that a correct term?

Anyway, I have never owned one but I do love the look of them.
I was at a gun show last weekend and there was a guy selling a full stocked Mauser. It was gorgeous. So was the price of $2300. I could afford to look…

 

[Jim Watson]

One legend is that the full stock (and steel buttplate) helped you get around in the Alps.

I once saw a Remington 660 .350 Magnum with the factory laminated stock and plastic trigger guard replaced with full length walnut and steel bottom. Very handsome, but I had already gotten bored with plinking with a .35 Remington and revolver bullets, so I didn't bite.

 

[EMC45]

Step One is to admit you have a problem -- but only if you need to be cured. This seems to be an addiction I still really want.

It started about 20 years ago with the purchase of a Heym-manufactured Wards/Western Field 724A EHM in .30-06. This has an intermediate-length Mauser 98 action with bells and whistles, including a butterknife bolt handle, lever release floorplate and a hardwood stock with very '60s styling cues. It was in near-new condition, and I later added a Sears-branded Weaver 2.5x scope for what I consider the total pre-GCA68 mail-order package.

View attachment 1149504

About five years later I invested a small windfall into a CZ-527FS in .233 Remington. I had a scope on it for a time, but later switched to the NECG receiver sight and matching gold-filled front sight shown here. I also bought a replacement triggerguard from CZ to allow the use of more flush-fitting 3-shot magazines. I'd still like to lose the ventilated recoil pad one of these days, but she's still pretty stunning as-is.

View attachment 1149505

This year I finally landed the Big Kahuna. It made it to its new home today, a genuine, unaltered 1903 Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbine in 6.5x54mm.

View attachment 1149506

I could immediately see why so many M-S stocks have wrist damage -- that sucker is slim! I was comparing the feel to the other two rifles. While none of the trio are particularly heavy or stout, the Mannlicher's trim wrist made the other two feel like I used to whenever I visited my in-laws:

View attachment 1149509

I took the M-S barreled action out of the stock to read the markings under the stock line. They show that rifle was proofed in 1928. As far as I can tell, everything looks original and unaltered.

View attachment 1149510

I can't wait to get this puppy to the range!

All 3 - Yes, please and thank you.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Beautiful Dave! I feel the same way you do, just about Musket stocked single shot rifles. Someday i'll have a military musket roller.

Those are pretty nice gats too!

 

[Pat Riot]

I have wanted one of these ever since I saw one in a magazine years ago.


Winchester 94 NRA Centennial Musket circa 1971
That photo came from here:
https://www.guns.com/news/2019/11/19/the-amazing-variety-of-winchester-94-factory-commemoratives

I have only seen one of these in person. It was in a display at a gun show and not for sale. If I recall correctly, the sign on the display said “Not for sale. Don’t even ask.”

 

[tark]

He has generated in my heart of hearts a lust to go out and spend too much money on a rifle with a full-length stock.

Every time I see pics of a gun that cool, I am immediately guilty of ENVY...one of the seven deadly sins. Guess I'm going south when I croak.

Curses on you grail gun picture posters! A pox on you! May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits...

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I also love full stocked rifles. I used to call them “Mannlicher stocks”. Is that a correct term?

There's a question! The full stock on a sporting rifle is so frequently called a 'Mannlicher stock' in the USA that everyone understands what you mean. And I'm confident this usage refers back to the stock on the Mannlicher-Schönauer carbine. I think the elegant lines of the M-S carbine's stock caused it to become a meme.

The weird part though is that Ferdinand von Mannlicher had little or nothing to do with the M-S rifle or stock design in general. He was the star firearms genius at OWG Steyr from the 1880s to his death in 1904. He designed a lot of firearms in his day, and probably his most influential invention was the en-bloch clip loading system.

The M-S rifle uses a turn-bolt system derived from the German Gewehr 88 Commission Rifle, which is generally credited to inventor Louis Schlegemilch. Otto Schönauer, another OWG engineer, refined and adapted the rotary magazine system used in the M-S. The 'spool'-type rotary magazine idea had already been around awhile, patented by Anton Spitalsky in 1879. So it's hard to give much credit to Mannlicher on this particular rifle -- maybe he tweaked some details, but I think it was more a case of "Herr Mannlicher presents ..." -- his name had recognition value.



And then we get to the business of full stocks on shoulder arms -- those go back to the beginnings of firearm history. I suspect that at least part of the practice had to do with protecting the ramrod when stored under the barrel. When bayonets became a thing, a full stock also made a better pike handle.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I have wanted one of these ever since I saw one in a magazine years ago.
Winchester 94 NRA Centennial Musket circa 1971

I think the 1876 Centennial in .45-60 that Tom Selleck was packing in the film Crossfire Trail was quite fetching as well -- a bit shorter and lighter.



Uberti made a run of these for the US market, but I do not know their current production status.

http://www.ubertireplicas.com/product/1876-rifle-carbine/

 

[codytrucker]

Very nice rifles , Dave! I bought this with the intention of having it re-bored and made into a 25 copperhead , like john Wooters used to write about
Then a couple things happened , one Wyoming changed a regulation , and now this is a legal deer ,antelope and wolf rifle , and two , it turns out it shoots really good , about 5/8" groups . I have always wanted to do the 3 round magazine like you did ,that really improves the looks! They are nice carrying little carbines , and mine has served me well. Awesome collection you have there.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

View attachment 1149588 . I have always wanted to do the 3 round magazine like you did ,that really improves the looks!

CZ USA no longer has the necessary triggerguard available as a replacement part, but this guy offers a modification service to alter stock mags and TGs:

http://rvbprecision.com/shooting/cz-527-rifle-magazine-conversion.html

 

[troy fairweather]

I always call them man lickers lol.