M1A with Wood Stock or Archangel stock?

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CanadianBaconPancakes

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Trying to decide on a M1A for when I go hunting alone. I am thinking of the Archangel variant or the basic wood one.

I really like the looks of the wood stock one but I feel like the polymer stock will be better for its use.

Not sure what is more heavy.
 
Well I have both stocks, are you mounting optics? I liked the Archangel on the bench but didn't like it in the field. I preferred wood with a cheek riser for hunting as it felt less heavy and was easier for me to carry. If you are using irons wood only.
 
CanadianBaconPancakes said:
Trying to decide on a M1A for when I go hunting alone. I am thinking of the Archangel variant or the basic wood one.

I really like the looks of the wood stock one but I feel like the polymer stock will be better for its use.

Not sure what is more heavy.
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Had the same dillema, went with wood, have never second guessed my choice.
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The archangel is bulky, heavy, and made of regular plastic. It looks like a JAE but does NOT perform like one. It's not a very rigid stock, and to be honest, a stiff USGI fibreglass stock would likely shoot better.

For actual carry, go USGI fibreglass or wood. The fibreglass is lighter and more durable and does not react to humidity. The wood stock looks better.

Norinco plastic is also not great. It's too flexible and from the factory they are too long at the stock nose - they put pressure on the gas system ferrule and cause vertical stringing. It can be fixed with a ton of effort to remove the nose cap, set it back 2 mm and re-bed the cap in epoxy, but a USGI stock will ALWAYS be a better choice.

For optics, decent M-14 canvas cheek pad units work great, like the blackhawk or the $10 chinese equivalents on e-bay. I use the $10 ones myself, they are better designed than the Blackhawk in my opinion.
 
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CanadianBaconPancakes said:
Good to know. I had some concerns with the archangel stock as I owned some of other rifles in the past. I will stay away from it.
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Me (kinda) too: I was considering the Archangel because of the adjustability of the butt, and the looks.

Now I'll start looking for a decent wood stock. So far though, my cheap black plastic Norinco stock is working well, and it even pings, so I'm in no hurry.
 
stevebc said:
Me (kinda) too: I was considering the Archangel because of the adjustability of the butt, and the looks.

Now I'll start looking for a decent wood stock. So far though, my cheap black plastic Norinco stock is working well, and it even pings, so I'm in no hurry.
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Steve:

Pull off the norinco stock and look at the front face of the stock ferrule. I'll bet you see finish wear there. The front face of your stock ferrule is not supposed to rub against the stock band (the sheet metal thing being the gas cylinder with a lip for your stock).

Every norinco plastic stock I see is running against the band. This is hurting how your rifle shoots, I guarantee it.

The fix is to set back the ferrule a couple mm so it is not pressing on the gas system parallel to the bore, or to use another stock.

You can remove the ferrule, carefully file back the shoulder and remove some plastic off the tip, then epoxy the ferrule back on. When I can't convince someone to buy a better stock, that is the repair I recommend. It makes the stock work as intended, but a plastic stock will never be as rigid as a usgi stock.

They make good beater stocks though.
 
Claven2 said:
Steve:

Pull off the norinco stock and look at the front face of the stock ferrule. I'll bet you see finish wear there. The front face of your stock ferrule is not supposed to rub against the stock band (the sheet metal thing being the gas cylinder with a lip for your stock).

Every norinco plastic stock I see is running against the band. This is hurting how your rifle shoots, I guarantee it.

The fix is to set back the ferrule a couple mm so it is not pressing on the gas system parallel to the bore, or to use another stock.

You can remove the ferrule, carefully file back the shoulder and remove some plastic off the tip, then epoxy the ferrule back on. When I can't convince someone to buy a better stock, that is the repair I recommend. It makes the stock work as intended, but a plastic stock will never be as rigid as a usgi stock.

They make good beater stocks though.
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Thanks, I'll try that before I buy something else. I'm on a tight budget.

Looking forward to trying out some reduced loads as well.
 
Claven2 said:
Steve:

Pull off the norinco stock and look at the front face of the stock ferrule. I'll bet you see finish wear there. The front face of your stock ferrule is not supposed to rub against the stock band (the sheet metal thing being the gas cylinder with a lip for your stock).

Every norinco plastic stock I see is running against the band. This is hurting how your rifle shoots, I guarantee it.

The fix is to set back the ferrule a couple mm so it is not pressing on the gas system parallel to the bore, or to use another stock.

You can remove the ferrule, carefully file back the shoulder and remove some plastic off the tip, then epoxy the ferrule back on. When I can't convince someone to buy a better stock, that is the repair I recommend. It makes the stock work as intended, but a plastic stock will never be as rigid as a usgi stock.

They make good beater stocks though.
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You were correct: I am switching stocks and yes, that ferrule was right up against the stock band. Wear evident across the entire face of the ferrule.

However, what I'm switching to may also prove to be a challenge- I bought someone else's project: a chu wood stock that has been cut down at the wrist and a Remington 870 adapter installed with an AR-15 style butt.

The ferrule fits onto the wood stock nicely- I've had it on, pried it off, and when I install the unitized gas system that I also bought, then I'll epoxy the ferrule on and give it a gap before the stock band.

I had a nice blonde stock when I finished sanding it down, and I bleached it as well. 2 coats of Tung oil later, it's a lot darker, which isn't what I wanted, but such is life.
 
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