Are wood stocks ever functionally better than synthetic?

Wood is nice and nostalgic, but the question is if there were a choice between wood and todays synthetics what would the original manufacturers used?

Wood was only used originally, because it was the strongest and lightest material in its day. Today there is a choice.
 
Dare to say that wood was selected because it was the cheapest, and most plentiful material in it's day...much like material choices of today...

R.
 
I'm pretty certain the Canadian Rangers would have specified synthetic if it was better suited to their uses. Instead, they chose laminate, and the CZ 557 entry was beech. I have several synthetic stocks which I prefer for wet weather use, but I prefer my wood stocks for all other purposes. For tool guns, dings and scratches are ok with me. I find synthetic stocks look like royal hell after a few seasons of use.
 
conor_90 said:
Wood apparently defying the laws of thermodynamics

Buy a sling and some gloves…
Click to expand...

Their you go apply logic and the laws of physics to the argument. That has no place in hunting, shooting or fish stories. As crappy as they are the Dura touch stocks have somewhat of a thermal break but I’ll never have one. I have however inlaid leather onto the forestock of a rifle and someday if I get around to it I’m going to inlay the pistol grip.
 
Rman said:
Dare to say that wood was selected because it was the cheapest, and most plentiful material in it's day...much like material choices of today...

R.
Click to expand...

MRP said:
Their you go apply logic and the laws of physics to the argument. That has no place in hunting, shooting or fish stories. As crappy as they are the Dura touch stocks have somewhat of a thermal break but I’ll never have one. I have however inlaid leather onto the forestock of a rifle and someday if I get around to it I’m going to inlay the pistol grip.
Click to expand...

Didn't Ruger inlay rosewood on their paddle stocks? Seemed like a wierd idea, but some people "warmed up" to them.
 
The Kurgan said:
Didn't Ruger inlay rosewood on their paddle stocks? Seemed like a wierd idea, but some people "warmed up" to them.
Click to expand...

Sure did. I never had one of those stocks, but did own a couple of the standard paddle stocks and would have snapped up a set of wood inserts in a heartbeat if I had stumbled upon them.

I had an old Ruger GP100 revolver that came from the factory with very comfortable rubber Hogue-type grips with a wooden panel on each side. Loved that gun and those grips. :) See...even today that wood accent makes me smile...which was its function...:)
 
The resin (plastic) content in a laminate stock could easily be equal, if not greater to the wood content, depending on the materials and manufacturing processes used…

R.
 
The Kurgan said:
I'm pretty certain the Canadian Rangers would have specified synthetic if it was better suited to their uses. Instead, they chose laminate, and the CZ 557 entry was beech. I have several synthetic stocks which I prefer for wet weather use, but I prefer my wood stocks for all other purposes. For tool guns, dings and scratches are ok with me. I find synthetic stocks look like royal hell after a few seasons of use.
Click to expand...

whatever we can think about the colt tikka ranger i doubt they choose what they wanted ... but for sure someone choose a laminate stock instead of synthetic ...
 
medvedqc said:
whatever we can think about the colt tikka ranger i doubt they choose what they wanted ... but for sure someone choose a laminate stock instead of synthetic ...
Click to expand...

It’s interesting that someone who was in the military (kurgan) is suggesting the military acquires equipment based on what is best :dancingbanana:
 
SuperCub said:
Here's two rifles I own and like as is. One's ugly and one's not. Both serve a purpose.

atwOwIdl.jpg


CPWxuPrl.jpg
Click to expand...

That A Nice paint job on that syn stock Remmy rifle ! NOT so good on the ugly Mauser rifle. RJ
 
A well made and properly finished and cared for walnut stock will last forever. A cheap hollow or sticky/rubbery synth stock is just the worst thing ever. There are some really good ones out there though, but you certainly will pay for them. Functionally, I’d say if wood has one advantage (apart from looks) it’s that they’re relatively easily repairable and alterable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom