Thumbhole stocks

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Axis II

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Anyone use thumbhole stocks on hunting guns? I am seriously thinking about putting one on my squirrel rifle because I think it would help with shooting stick and leaning against tree accuracy but I don't want to buy one and have it not work. I have only shot one and that was off a bench but don't have access to it anymore. Any input is appreciated.
 
I don't have one, have a pistol grip on my AR, but not a thumb hole. I'm not interested in thumb hole, personally, shoot just fine with a regular stock. I don't REALLY like the pistol grip. I've learned to carry the thing with a sling, though, slung over my head such that it hangs to my side. And, of course, it works off the gun rest in my box blind. I just field a regular stock works also and it's better off hand. Just my preference, though. Might be some bias because I've been shooting most of my life with a standard stock. When I got started shooting, a pistol grip just meant it didn't have a straight grip. :D
 
As a rule I don't like them, but on a semi-auto it might be functional. On a bolt rifle it is just more work than necessary to cycle the action. But I'd just use an AR style rifle before I'd go with a thumb hole stock. I think they serve a purpose for shooters from a bench, or prone. Never thought about them having an advantage with shooting sticks, but could see that.
 
First one I used was on a snake charmer 410. Felt fine on that was a break down action so it worked well.
Then a knight muzzle loader my brother in law had. Felt good there too. Obviously wasnt a fast reload there so it worked nicely.
First and Last I had was on a 17 bolt action. I hate it and wouldn't have one on a bolt gun unless it was super cheap or a single shot target gun.
 
I've gone out and out shot many of the fad instruments with just standard issue. Bottom line, you either know how to shoot or you don't. You are either proficient, good, so-so or just bad.
 
My current plastic stock has a lot of drop in the comb and heal and sometimes hard to shoot, so I figured upgrade. I figured the thumbhole would be steadier.
 
My current plastic stock has a lot of drop in the comb and heal and sometimes hard to shoot, so I figured upgrade. I figured the thumbhole would be steadier.
Wasn't meaning to knock anything. I'm too blunt sometimes.
Thumb stock ok if all you do is targets. If you hunt it can take away off hand shots or at least make it difficult. My 50 inline stock hass too much drop for using combo open site and scope rings. Instead of changing the stock I added a cushioned riser to position my head for the difference and I can just push it over if I need open sights plus it doesn't interfere with off hand.
 
I’ve had one on my M7600 for years, it works great. Actually designed for the M870 shotgun, it handles wonderfully offhand. The drop at the comb is perfect for scope or iron sight use, unlike the original factory stock. Due to the position of the safety the thumbhole does not interfere with its use - unlike it would on a bolt gun or lever action. Beauty is as beauty does, and I’ve been very happy with my thumbhole.


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I never had a thumbhole until 2015 when I got my first air rifle which had one. Then I discovered I like them. In 2017 I was looking at new .22 cal. CZ-455's to decide which model to get. Tried the Varmint thumbhole laminated model and decided to buy that one as soon as I shouldered it. OP mentioned one for squirrel hunting and I like them for that purpose. Although some folks prefer regular stocks. So all I can say is try one offhand if possible and see how it feels.
 
IF it fits your hand and you like it...GREAT!
I don't like them, but that's just me. I'm hunting for my pot; you're hunting for yours. ;) I don't like multicolored, laminated stocks, while other guys love them... no big deal. I prefer to take my squirrels with a .40 caliber flintlock, or a flintlock trade gun (20 ga. no choke shotgun)....other folks think me daft. :thumbup: The only thing I'm taking "quick shots" at are upland birds in flight, and I like a straight stock on a 16 ga. SxS for those.

LD
 
I'm kind of a thumbhole stock fan. My first was a Boyd's that I installed a pre-e receiver Savage Mk II into. Uh,uh, the thumbhole is very large and too far forward in the stock to suit me. There just wasn't enough wood to give me the feel I wanted. I built it up inside with bondo, masked the grip off, and gave it a paint job so it wouldn't look terrible. Still no cigar. It sits in the storage cabinet where a bunch of other take off stocks reside. Not knocking Boyd's. The stock was nice, just not what suited ME. I built a thumbhole stock for the rifle from scratch that fits like I want a stock to fit and I am very happy with it. So happy in fact that I built another for my highly modified 10/22. I will add that I shoot these two rifle mostly off the bench but am happy with them off hand also.

Consensus: I can be happy with either style stock as long as it fits the way I want it to fit. I don't find a difference operating the bolt with either style stock.
 
they can feel good if they fit, but i just think there so ugly.
Always thought they were a lot of stuff to hang on to for just a finger tip that does the squeezing. Might as well just put the thumb on back of trigger guard and pinch with finger tip on trigger. Don't even need to grip stock.
 
The original question was about thumbhole's for hunting. As pointed out, not all thumbhole's fit the same for each person. I built one for a 10/22 primarily for silhouette competition, purpose was to fix my cheek consistently for sight alignment. Also have a Model 52 that would be cumbersome for hunting but works well for paper punching. Try them out to see what works well for you.

IMG_0524.JPG Pakka 4.jpg 52 I-4.jpg 52 I-5.jpg
 
I have used them and have found some to fit me well, and others not so well. For a rimfire, I think they work well. I used a 870 with one for turkey hunting one year and the recoil from shooting heavy turkey loads from an awkward position felt like it broke my thumb. That said, I found the same thing happened once when shooting my 500 Mossy in the same scenario with my thumb on top the stock(by the safety), only it was my nose that felt broke. Safety position on the rifle might impact my choice too. Safety on the trigger guard, or 3 way similar to on Ruger rifles, accessed with one's finger, not a problem. Safety on top of stock/back of receiver, might be difficult to access with your thumb in the hole.
 
I don't have any rifles with thumbholes but I do have 2 XP-100 pistols with aftermarket thumbhole stocks. I think they are pretty but as Forrest Gump said, "Pretty is as pretty does."
I shoot better without them with a conventional stock and would like to have the ugly factory stocks back.
 
I’ve had several situations when hunting from a tree stand where a deer will come from my weak side and I’ve had to shoot left handed. You can’t do that with a thumb hole stock.
You can, it's cumbersome and since most have a sharp roll over comb your check takes a beating (least, my .300 did, left a bruise). You simple have to lay your tumb along side the stock and not grip it too hard.

I've had a few, and personally I don't care for them anymore. As noted bolt operation is slowed, as is operating most safetys unless they are on, or in the trigger guard. I also had the nasty habit of wrapping my hand over the top of the stock when shooting fast, and again on my 7.5lb 300, this resulted in a punch in the nose.

On the plus side I found them much more stable, the rifle easier to manipulate, and recoil both lessened and easier to control. The recoil reduction doesn't matter for a .22, but the greater stability and control can help.

As noted fitment seems to matter more with a thumbhole also, or at least it did to me.
 
I like them. They help me point the gun better. It also helps with recoil in light high recoil guns.
That being said, I really like a standard stock on a hunting rifle.
 
I don't care for them. I think they are ugly, and if I am shooting from support, my thumb lays along the side of the stock anyway. Unsupported, the thumb wraps around like normal.
 
I have a couple of thumbhole stocks on my TC Encores. I like them. They give me a great grip and I can open the action with one hand and reload the rifle with my left hand. It actually is faster than a traditional stock.
 
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