thumbhole vs classic stock?

I am an Thumb Hole enthusiast.

Some are badly done (the Chinese MAK90 is awful)

I do like pistol grip though so I took a chance on a Boyd's for my first target stock. This was exclusively bench rest shooting.

Loved it, got two more. One and EABS which is about a good and the other another Boyds.

To me its not only more natural, you have a better trigger control with it.

I don't know how they would do hunting, but my take is that its not enough difference to be relevant.

They do have a high rise cheek rest on the side the shooters cheek rest is.

Left handed would have it on the right side.
 
As a left shoulder shooter, thumbhole means ambi or very high price.

And firing a bolt action on a rest of some sort, I can cycle very quickly when desired no matter the stock style.
 
I love shooting a thumbhole stock from the bench, but for big game hunting I am not so sure about them. Here's why:

* I have noted that on most rifles, operating the safety is slower and more awkward with a thumbhole stock. In many cases, a pretty radical shift in the grip is required. Operating the safety is a big issue when hunting. Seconds count.

* A buddy once bought a pump shotgun with a thumbhole type stock, and he found that he had a lot of trouble connecting when wing-shooting. - In my experience, the best shotgun stock for wing-shooting is a straight grip as is often found on "upland" models, with pistol-grip stocks taking second place.
Some big game hunting situations call for a quick "snap shot", or a running shot. In either case, I would feel handicapped if I had to try that with a thumbhole stock.

Your mileage may vary, but in my case I'll just stick with using the thumbhole stocks on target and varmint rifles, where they really shine.
 
You make a good point

In my experience, the best shotgun stock for wing-shooting is a straight grip as is often found on "upland" models, with pistol-grip stocks taking second place. Some big game hunting situations call for a quick "snap shot", or a running shot.
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You make a good point and one that I was trying to express, in an earlier reply. Even though the OP's application was a rifle rather than a shotgun, some of these concerns are still applicable. I only shoot Upland and clays with straight/upland stocks. .....:)

Be Safe !!!
 
Thumbhole stocks are easier to break too.
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I'd say that depends entirely on the stock design, some are, some aren't.

Harry Lawson's "Cochise Thumbhole" was reported to have been tested and was 60% stronger than a conventional stock.

I have a .458 Win Mag with a thumbhole stock. its plenty strong enough for that. While the hole is generous and fast to use, I would not choose it for a dangerous game rifle.

For other uses, I find a well fitting thumbhole (and there are those that aren't well fitting) to be a very good stock, for me.
 
On the Lawson thumbhole stocks, you can have a trigger blocking push button safety installed. I have one on my ultralight .308 with thumbhole stock. Works like a charm. It's built into the trigger guard.
Paul B.
 
"anyone not like thumbholes and prefer a classic stock for comfort? "

I thought I didn't like them until I tried one, then found out I really liked it. That was on a semi-auto, but I'm currently debating on whether I want one for my bolt gun, which is my main hunting rifle.
 
Is there anyone who know how different the Boyd's and Richard's stocks are in the distance from the Thumbhole to trigger?
I am looking at buying a Thumbhole stock for my Brno zkk600. I'm looking at the Richard's Dual grip and the Featherweight Thumbhole from Boyd's. My only concern is I'm worried the grip to trigger reach will be to long for the original CZ single set trigger?

I have asked both Boyd's and Richard's but only one responses so far the they did not know that measure.. And I have read som complaints about shooters with Andy hand don't fit this design of Thumbhole very well. I use sizes 8,5 or 9 in gloves, wich I think I should be about average.
Any suggestions?

I posted the question in the Smith forum before noticing this old thread..

Feel free to answer there instead if you want to...
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=590180
I posted in this thread only in hope to maximize my chance to reach them who might have any useful input since I'm in a bit of a hurry..
 
The Boyds is very long. if you don't have extra large hands you won't like it.
The Richards Micro-fit is also long, but shorter then the Boyds.

I know of no semi-inlet stock that has a thumb-hole today that is made for small to average hands. To get one made right, you have to make it from a blank. If you can make a stock from a blank, the thumb-hole style is not really much harder to make than any other. The first stock I ever made was a T.H. for a 98 Mauser which I did when I was 12. That was almost 50 years ago now. That gun is now on it's 3rd barrel, and it's made a mountain of venison in those 5 decades.
 
Thumbhole stocks are easier to break too.
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Have to bust that bubble with a fact, Boyds is a Laminated stock. Those suckers will take a tank across them going end to end (its the same technology that allowed your floor truss to go from 1.5 inch to 3/8!)

That said I tried what I call the Super Grip on a gun my brother owns.

Boyds Calls it Super Varmint.

Its the enhanced grip but not thumbhole,

I liked it as well as the Thrumbhole, its a Varmint, bench rest setup so I don't know how it field carries.

On the other hand, from what I could tell handling the light weight thumbhole with the 20 inch pencil barrel on it before I converted it to HB, it felts just fine.

Savage calls it their BTH (Boyds Thumbhole Hunter)
 
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"I have noted that on most rifles, operating the safety is slower and more awkward with a thumbhole stock. In many cases, a pretty radical shift in the grip is required. Operating the safety is a big issue when hunting. Seconds count."

You make a valid point. However, My Harry Lawson custom has the safety built into the trigger guard. Works just like the safety on a pump shotgun. Easily slipped off with the trigger finger yet stiff enough to not be easily knocked out of the safe position.

Do a google search for Harry Lawson Rifles and clip on the picture that shows the trigger area. The safety button is quite visible.
Paul B.
 
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