Fiberglass vs. Walnut on the M1A

D

DUDE

New member
hi guys, well i have been looking more and more at the M1A and i world like to know what world be the best stock to get, i will be useing the Rifle for Hunting and for goin out and shooting for fun. so what would you guys say world be the best stock for me the Black fiberglass or the Walnut?



i hope you can help with this,
Thanks DUDE.
 
DUDE,

The general concensus seems to be that the fiberglass is more weather resistant, holds zero better, etc. But the walnut looks oh-so nice, doesn't it? When I get mine, I'll probably get it in Walnut and then by a "beater" GI surplus stock from Fred's (in Shotgun News). Best of both worlds -- that way I won't feel bad about chasing through the brush with her, but she also has something nice for more formal occasions. ;)
 
I went with Fred's too.

I bought this really sweet M1A loaded rifle and it came with a really nice stock. It looks great. Then I went and bought one of the better grade fiberglass stocks from Fred's and some of his paint. Camo'd it up real nice. Here it is. Either way you can't go wrong, but MK9 is right, get both so you can have your cake and eat it too!

http://home.bak.rr.com/elrojo/pictures/m1acamo1.jpg
 
Buying a wood stock rifle from Springfield adds about $100 to the cost of the rifle. If you want do dress your girlfri... err.. um... rifle up and take it out for show-and-tell at the range, then buy the wood. If you want pure performance, then get synthetic.

I bought a new Standard M1A with a synthetic stock thinking that I could save the money now and get the wood stock later when I feel like shelling out even more bucks. Unfortunately, the stock that came with my rifle is of poor quality, having a tacky feeling surface texture that chips extremely easily. Now I want both a camouflaged stock from Fred's and wood stock for show-and-tell. At least I have a stock that I can beat up and play around with.

I would recommend getting the wood stock, then buying a Fred's stock.
 
well seeing that the only range that i go to is are back-40 i don't have a real need for a Walnut stock for show-and-tell. so now i have two questions 1. i would like to know how good are the Fiberglass stocks that come on the M1A Rifles from Springfield'? and 2. Q-Man you said that the synthetic stock on your M1A had a tacky feeling to it? are most of the Fiberglass stocks like that from Springfield'?
 
Get the Walnut stock and get a USGI Glass stock for $20.00.
Tounge oil the Walnut one and make it pretty. Keep the other as a beater, this was my 1st attempt
View
Don't use a flash when taking pic's of Cammo, it is dull.

Karsten
 
Karsten: What is that a picture of? All I can make out is a bush and some grass. :)

DUDE: I, too, would be interested to know if others have had the same problem with their stock as I have had with mine. The Springfield synthetic stock appears to be a fiberglass stock that has a black rough textured coating. The rough texture is nice, but can rub your cheek raw with due to the recoil. Unfortunately for me, the coating seems like it is a little tacky and didn’t cure properly. It chips easily.

Some of the coating stuck to the steel receiver stronger than it was stuck to the fiberglass stock and was pulled off when I removed the action from the stock. Luckily, the action covers the areas where the coating is missing.

Near the heel of the stock where it rests at the shooting bench, the coating was quickly scraped away. As the spent brass cartridges eject they spin around and hit the steel action and part of the stock. Where they hit the stock, the stock has easily chipped, revealing a light gray coating underneath. Anywhere I have bumped the stock against something in such a way that should be tolerable, the coating has chipped.

This stock will be my “beater” stock. I just cover the chipped areas with a black Sharpie permanent marker.

The M14 was the last US main battle rifle to be issued with a wood stock. Part of enjoying the ownership of the rifle--for me at least--is enjoying its beauty and historical significance. That is why I will be getting a pretty wood stock.
 
Q-man, FYI, the fiberglass stock was specced out first for the M14 and the wood came afterward. However, not many fiberglass stocks went out in comparison to the wood.
 
Thought I would chime in and recommend Fred's too. I am artistically challenged so I bought a desert camo stock and handguard from him. I couldn't be happier with it. On the camo stocks, Fred fills in the selector cut, paints it then puts a triple coat of polyurethane on it. All the metal on the camos stocks is in As New condition.
 
Q-man
There was a Corvette in that pic, didn't you see it. Okay so no Corvette, just something made of the same stuff. I think I finally have it the way I want after peeling, yes MinWax PE peeled right off in sheets. Lightly sanded again sprayed 3 more coats of matte clear, stained it lightly to mute the colors and just Dullcoated it.

Different
Again we agree, Fred's is awesome. I would posst a link here the addy is so long, anyone the wants it Email me.
He does and great job and for $95 buck or so you can beat him. You you are right, he fills the cut out. I forgot that as I didn't really think the Cammo would look even okay.

As for the new SA synthetic stock, I have heard nothing but bad about how they chip. That is why I say the walmut and tongue oil the heck out of it and the USGI surplus stock and paint it to suit your fancy.

There is another pattern on a different board, I will see if I can get a pic. It is what I plan to do to a ATI Dragonov stck for as SKS. I think CTD had USGI Fiberglass stocks for about $15.

Good Luck
Karsten
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top