Like most of the people on this sub-forum I am a user of aftermarket stocks and have reviewed a number of them in previous reviews.
While the nature of F Class –with nearly all competitive rifles being custom built - obviously necessitates the use of an aftermarket stock, such stocks are also quite commonly seen at tactical matches and the rifle range as, unless one is using a rifle like the very fine Sako TRG, one of the various offerings from Accuracy International or a similar high-end rifle, a shooter is most likely to have upgraded his or her rifle by replacement of the factory stock. This isn’t to say that factory stocks are all bad – some are indeed quite good - but it’s just a fact that getting rid of the stock the rifle left the factory in is one of the first upgrades people think of.
While I admit to having a bit of an obsession with stocks from McMillian – especially their A5 – I’ve always liked folding stocks. To my mind, folding stocks have two big things going for them: one is eye appeal as they are, quite simply, so darn ‘tactical’ looking that they really do epitomise the expression ‘Tacti-cool’ and, secondly, the ability to neatly fold away the stock has two very sound practical advantages – with the butt portion of the stock out of the way they are easier to clean and folded up they are much easier to transport.
The biggest drawback to folding stocks is mechanical – the very nature of the beast means you have a hinge and hinges can wobble. Now this doesn’t really matter at all on something like a CZ858 nor, quite frankly, does it matter a whole heck of a lot on a Swiss Arms Black Special/Classic Green as neither of those rifles is really a sub minute of angle piece of kit (apologies to Swiss fans but I’ve had one and they are great but not really a consistent sub-MOA) and it is when you get down to sub minute accuracy that you simply can’t tolerate anything that will cause a flyer and a wobble will mess up a group as sure as anything – heck, even the thought of a wobbly stock will cause you to turn that .5 into a 1.5 ! Accuracy International have had a folder ( AICS 2.0 ) out for quite some time and I own two and both lock up so solidly that if I close my eyes I simply cannot tell the difference between them and the non-folding AICS 1.5
Recently one of my favorite rifles, the PGW DTI ‘Coyote’ had been available with an all-aluminum chassis complete with folding stock. The PGW really needs no further commentary from me – the fact is that they are a seriously top-tier rifle and all are (with proper ammo, glass and shooter) genuine half-minute or better rifles. Up to now the Coyote’s I’ve owned have been housed in the McMillian A5 but that changed recently when, much to “Mrs. Tomochan’s” displeasure, I took possession of a folding stock version and so I thought I’d share my observations with you.
Opening up the package upon my return from SHOT I immediately appreciated that as far as the fit and finish department is concerned this particular Coyote is every bit as nicely put together as my other ones and, yes at least to my eye it sure looked the business, virtually screaming tactical before I even inserted a magazine and mounted a scope. After much admiring I eventually said hello to Mrs. T ( mmm, perhaps that’s why she was aggrieved ? ) and put the new toy down making a mental promise to take it to the range first thing the next day.
Well, I’ve now had the new folder out four times and put about 100 rounds through it and can make an honest assessment. Firstly, on each occasion the look of the rifle garnered a bit of attention – in my experience the Coyote’s always do – as the folding stock version seems to really accentuate the overall look of the rifle so if you are shy about showing off your toys this may not be for you. More importantly though, I am pleased to be able to say that the folder locks up perfectly and is 100% rock solid – if you have any doubts at all about this please put them to rest.
I do almost all my shooting from the prone and initially I had some trouble getting perfectly comfortable behind the rifle as I am so used to the McMillian A5 but after making some small positional changes I’m happy to say that I found the ergonomics of the Coyote folder to be quite acceptable from this position. When I use a tactical style rifle from the prone I use a bean bag and the folder worked perfectly on this but not so much when I switched to my F-Class ‘Protector’ bag so if you are a ‘bunny ear’ bag user you may find that it doesn’t fit the bag as nicely as the McMillian.
On each range trip I did all my shooting at 300 yards and I confirmed this rifle as an easy half-minute shooter at that distance with all but one group falling under 1.5” and the best producing 0.856” which is in the .2’s. While I produced smaller average groups with the McMillian stocked version I think the difference was attributable to me as I am simply so much more familiar with the one type of stock over the other. Half minute groupings with this folding stock Coyote is consistent with my other ones and is also consistent with the reports here and elsewhere from other PGW Coyote users.
Ross at PGW advises that the folding stock chassis rifle is 6oz lighter than their McMillian-housed offering but this is still a heavy rifle. Nevertheless, I took some shots from the kneeling and standing positions and found I was able to make repeat hits on the plate-sized gong at the 200 mark and it was from these offhand positions that I found the folding stock version to be superior to the one in the McMillian. I don’t think it was the weight difference but, rather, for me the ergonomics of the chassis folder worked better than the McMillian when shooting from kneeling and standing.
Criticisms? My only critical comment really comes down to personal preference and that is to do with the fact that the Coyote folds to the right. AICS fold to the left and that’s the way I prefer. I can’t even explain to myself why I prefer a left folder and from talking to friends I may actually be in a minority that has that preference but I do and so if I have to find a criticism it is that.
PGW Right Fold
Overall, we all know that the PGW products are great so there is no need to go on about the rifle – all that remains for me to say is that I really like what PGW has done with their folding stock chassis and I found nothing to disappoint me. If a new shooter was to ask me for advice about choosing one version of Coyote over another I’d probably say: If you are expecting the rifle to do double duty as a tactical rifle and as a viable competitor in F/TR then go with the McMillian but if you are looking to buy a Coyote as a tactical rifle where you may well encounter stages of fire that require you to shoot from offhand or improvised positions then strongly consider the folding stock aluminum chassis version.
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Very nice review of the chassis, well done !!!
