M1A/M14 stocks

Q

Q-Man

New member
I would like to purchase a wood stock to replace the black fiberglass stock that came with my M1A. I want a fair looking stock, but it doesn't have to be immaculate.

I have some questions:
1) What type of wood should I get? Birch or Walnut? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

2) What should I expect to pay for such a stock?

3) Where should I buy the stock? Fred's, US Armory, Fulton?

4) What type of bedding will I have to do if any? (I assume bedding is only required if you're going for an accurate shooter)

5) Anything else I should know? Any surprises I might run into?

6) Is it true that a properly bedded wood stock is more accurate than a properly bedded fiberglass stock? It would seem to me to be the opposite, but I read this on this forum a little while back.
 
If you ever plan to super-accurize that M14, stick with that synthetic stock as they are more stable and aren't affected by humidity as wood stocks are.

As to the question of birch over walnut, go walnut. Birch is a good hard wood and it's the wood Ruger uses for their 10/22 and Mini14. The advantage of walnut though it is more weather resistent (it still has to be treated with oil). Walnut can be prettier too (especially if you want to spend the bucks).

Sorry, but I can't recommend any suppliers.
 
If you buy from a military surplus source, determine whether you are getting a wood stock with the selector switch cutout toward the rear of the receiver. I don't mind it, but some people are really turned off by the opening.

swsurgeon.
 
Well, I shall thrown in my .02 cents worth.
I would check out www.fredsm14stocks.com
Then I have a lot of of tips, as to sanding, soaking, steaming and the cutout as well. But wood is wood and it feels so nice :) The wrist is large, the bottom of the Fore arm is full and it feels just plain comfy...sorta like a BBW that means business, whoop a$$ business.
None of that light, lean, target popping weapon there....just envy from your friends when you show up with real furniture
58447_M1Ascp.jpg

Karsten
 
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Ledbetter,
That is a new SA stock I rubbed a few coats of Tung oil on. But I sure do like the look of the Walnut stocks. Fred's has then in a number of grades.

Karsten
 
Thanks for the replies. I was thinking I would buy from Fred's. What kind of treatment should I put on it?
 
Q-Man,
I have saved, somewhere directions on saoking, ironing and all. Email me and I shall find them. Then use Tung Oil ad don't let it dry. Wipe on wipe off and a few coats.

Karsten
 
Karsten,

I'm looking for a new scoop mount and I like the looks of the one you have. What brand are you using and do you recommend it?

Thanks, Steve
 
Q-Man
Check out http://assaultweb.net/ubb/Forum12/HTML/201814.html for a refinished Birch with filled in selector cutout for $30.00.

Steve
I think the mount is a B-Square mount and they are about $50.00. I can't use the iron sights as the mount blocks them. It only has a single mounting screw and until I took a rag and pair of pliers to it, it loosened easy. In my opinion, spend a few more bucks the 1st time and get it right. The one I have was included in a package deal.

Karsten
 
All the Master and High Master HP shooters I know are using wood. With enough sweating, working, and wrining of hands, it's more accurate than the fiberglass stock. Glass bedding in wood makes the stock true tothat particular rifle. Synthetics are generically made on a mold.
 
It seems that you could use fiberglass bedding on a synthetic stock too.... any way, I think I'm going to get 1 of each :)

A cool synthetic camouflage stock and a pretty wood stock.
 
I just got a birch stock from Fred's in "excellent" condition for $35. After a little cleaning up, it looked great with just a few dings here and there to give it character. I'm using it for my knock-around stock to save my nice walnut. The people at Fred's are very helpful and they even threw in a few freebies with my order. I also have synthetics, but I have to agree an M1A just feels better with a wood stock. I'd give Fred's a call.
 
Q-Man, I agree. I do know from experience that the fiberglass stocks have a lot of flex up front. There are several ways to stiffen it, including embedding steel rods into bedding compound along the inside.
 
If you are going to use the steel rod deal, may I sugjest you use JB Weld to fix them in place. That is what Blade adviced me to use for the selector cut outs on the FB stocks. Those rods aren't ever going anywhere with that stuff in place.

Karsten
 
Steel rods sounds like it's going to get heavy!

I'll call Fred's pretty soon. I'll wait a little while though. I just ordered a ARMS #18 mount with #22 low rings.... now about that scope..... I wish money grew on trees.

BTW, What's the largest diameter scope "bell" that will fit on a M1A + ARMS #18 + ARMS #22 low rings??? I'd like to get something in a Leupold VariXIII or LPS. Scope suggestions?

BTW, the ARMS stuff is on sale right now at
http://botachtactical.com
 
M1A

Q-Man


My M1A is currently at the 'smith having a HEAVY MPI match stock installed. The rifle IS scoped and here is my setup:

ARMS#18
ARMS#22 medium rings
Tasco SS10x42mm (yes, I know...)

ARMS recommended the #22 rings with a "medium" height rating. This is especially important because the Tasco SS series have a very wide ocular piece and BARELY clears the rear sight. I have about a 1/3" gap between the bottom of the objective bell and the handguard.

For the M1A, I always liked the look of a ~40mm objective bell. Anything greater than 50mm seems to be too big. This will of course require taller rings.

My BIGGEST complaint is that my cheek-to-stock weld is more like a chin-to-stock weld. The bigger the objective, the greater the chances for me to have a chin-to-stock weld. Keep in mind that I'm using a 42mm objective scope, and recall the LPS scopes to be ~50mm??

Also, if I could do it over again I'd go for this setup:

ARMS#18
ARMS#19 with Nato/Stanag rings

The reason for this is because MY m1a was brutal on the scope. The #19 base would help deflect the brass, in theory...

BTW, MY Tasco is still ticking...

A good friend of mine (college buddy), as well as a firingline member has this setup:

ARMS#18
Leupold MK4 1" medium rings
Leupold VariX-2 4-12x40mm (is this correct gijo?)

As far as I recall, his setup is nice and he is quite pleased with it.

Also, don't discount the Smith Ent. mount.

Although you didn't ask for feedback in regards to the Springfield 3rd gen mount, the peanut gallery is usually split 50/50. 50% of people love it, the rest hate it. My brother has the Springfield mount and his attitude leans more towards the latter. My opinion doesn't count because I've NEVER tried one on my own rifle.

Actually, don't discount any of the other mounts as well.

BTW, I am VERY pleased with my ARMS#18.

Hope this helps?
Jim
 
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