synthetic stocks, are they junk?

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I'll probably be going for my PAL this month and i've been looking on wholesale sports' website to see what rimfire options i might have. i was browsing the marlins and saw the 981T which looked to be a good price and pretty much what i wanted except for the stock. it only comes in synthetic and i was wondering if its any good? it seems to lower the price of guns but is the price drop worth it? It will be my first gun and i'm hoping it to last a good long while and i will hopefully be able to pass it down to my kid(s)... when i have them.
I was really interested in the model 981T because it was a bolt action, which i prefer not only for safety reasons, but i think theyre cool, tube fed, which i also like not only because it holds quite alot more rounds, but because it looks cool, and is a good price. But if it turns out synthetic stocks are prone to breaking, bending and warping, do any of you guys have a suggestion for an alternative? like i said above, i prefer bolt action and tube fed, but if the magazine is hidden, i guess i dont mind, though i'd really prefer more than 5 shots. I wouldn't mind a used .22 but i'm really new to guns and i'd hate to pick one up only to find out its broke or doesn't function properly and having to spend more than the guns initial purchase price fixing it up.
 
I actually prefer synthetic stocks; they need less maintenance than wood and if you scratch it you won't feel as bad about it.

also wood stocks are also prine to breaking and warping...
 
Synthetic stocks range in quality just like anything else. Some really feel cheap and, well, "plasticky"...while others have more substance to them. Wood looks nice, but for all intents and purposes, a good quality synthetic stock that is impervious to weather is probably the most versatile of the two.
 
I like synthetic stocks because they are cheaper and I can ballast them with more weight for accuracy. Savage stock butts have large cavity - I it fill with epoxy and some ballast rods I can screw in or out, same goes for forend. Can't do that with wood stocks. Mind you some wood stocks are just plain beautiful.
 
I thought the same thing but I suggest going in and picking it up. I actually got the Marlin 981T yesterday but haven't used it yet. Going to the range on Friday for the test run. It hefted pretty good and felt solid in the store. I wasn't sure if I would like .22 or even a rifle type so it's an experiment for me. I'll let you know how it goes after Friday if you would like a newbie opinion.
 
thanks for the reply guys. since i still havn't even gone for my pal i still have a ton of time to look over guns and see what i like. i really like the look of classic guns, which is something i like about wood stocks, but i guess if the 981t stock is good i'll probably pick it up.
 
If the benchrest crowd found out that (for instance) white cotton balls dipped in Elmer's White Glue would make a good stock - school children everywhere would be in fear for their glue bottles. Fibreglass is an ideal stock material. So far the accuracy freaks aren't using too many plastic injection moulded stocks.

But for my standards of Windex and paper towel maintenance, and 'don't worry about scratches', I have plastic stocks on several hunting and shooting rifles. I have wood stocks on collectible rifles. Do you see the differences?
 
Some factory synthetic stocks, like Savage uses, are not fiberglass, but a more flexible plastic. I think they are poor quality and can cause accuracy problems, as its easy to flex one enough to put pressure on the barrel. Some say they reinforce the stock foreend, but others says it worthless, as the flex is at the barrel lug point of the stock. Other companies like Ruger have synthetics that are much better, and others even better than that, like Bell and Carlson or McMillan.
 
The real question is what do you use your gun for?

For hunting , a synthetic stock IMHO is superior to a wood, and this generally due to the inherent weather resisttance of the material. Ease of maintenance, holds well to adverse weather, especially if hunting in winter, where the extreme temperatures of indoor and outdoor use will cause havoc on wooden stocks.

Plus the synthetic tend to be lighter, which is a godsend , while trekking all day hunting.

however if you do a little plinking , then either would be suited.

However I do prefer a wooden stock, just because of the esthetics.

TG
 
it's going to be for plinking first, and then we'll see if i want to go gopher hunting next year. it'll be my first rifle so i want it to last. i'll probably take a look at one next week. see how good the stock is and whatnot. has anyone here dealt with the 981T before?
 
Plywood vs board lumber. The modern laminates are very thin birch veneers, vaccuum impregnated with high specification glues. They are inert and are as easy to machine as a solid material. Solid hardwood is pretty, but has all the potential for flaws as an ordinary 2x6.
 
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