Where did sporter stocks come from?

p.Rundle

p.Rundle

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Hey folks, I got a question that's been bugging me for a while. I see sporterized milsurps with sporter stocks on them, usually with cut wood etc., like on my P14. But every now and then I see one with a wicked new stock and I have no idea how you get these. Are they custom made? Was some pre-Boyd's manufacturer churning them out? I ask because I saw a sporterized P17 that looked so good it darn near switched me from a polymer and rails kinda guy to a fudd. Definitely a direction I want to go with my P14, at least for the stock (mine does NOT look good.) If anyone has a line on who I can talk to to get one of these, please let me know, I'm pretty new to the sporter scene.

Thanks!

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It used to be a serious business remanufacturing military rifles into sporters. Some were simply having the stock cut down either by the company or by a individual (to varying degrees of quality). Others were completely reworked by some skilled individuals or redone very nicely by such companies as BSA (with sights changed, new stocks made, barrels cut and re-crowned, different calibers for example I saw a P14 rebarreled to 8mm Mauser and the sights changed to a nice express sights, etc.). There were grades as to how nice the rifles were, and if you find a old sporting catalog you can see the difference in the 'models'.
 
Actually the P14 has such a well shaped wrist I've never seen the need to restock them, but if you want a true pistol grip stock have a look at what Boyd's and the other stock maker's sell. Just remember in the USA they will be described as "M.17" or "M.1917" stocks. If you haven't heard of the Remington Model 30, take a look at the stocks and plates they used on those. The early ones had a deeply curved steel butt plate that I think was common to some other Remington products.
 
points said:
I have a beautiful sported #4 Parker Hale. Parker Hale made the new stocks for their premium grade rebuilds.
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I have several of the Parker Hale Custom and Supreme No. 4's. I think if you look inside the forearm wood it is stamped "SILE" who was a stock maker company in Italy.
 
RRCo. said:
Actually the P14 has such a well shaped wrist I've never seen the need to restock them, but if you want a true pistol grip stock have a look at what Boyd's and the other stock maker's sell. Just remember in the USA they will be described as "M.17" or "M.1917" stocks. If you haven't heard of the Remington Model 30, take a look at the stocks and plates they used on those. The early ones had a deeply curved steel butt plate that I think was common to some other Remington products.
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I'm 6'3 so the stock is a touch short for me, plus mine is banged to all hell. Boyd's stocks look good, but they're all laminate and heavy, I'd prefer a wood one I can refinish with tru oil over and over and over and build up that glass look over the wood. But thanks for the heads up about the Model 30!!!

And thanks to everyone giving tips!!
 
I picked up a sporter P14 off the EE (probably paid a bit much) specifically because of the stock and sight it came with. The nicer stocks seem to be harder to find and aren't really that cheap when you get them through Boyds.

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I've got one each of Churchill Gun Makers No. 1 and No. 4. Both have nice stocks. Not sure who would have made them. I would love to have some of the Parker Hale .303s.
 
So popular was repurposing the 'surps that not only were there so many fine commercial offerings, but custom work too. I have a book here "Stockmaking" by Alvin Linden. A numbered copy of a limited publication. It has full size patterns for a few surps in it... Heresy in today's age, and the thought of molesting pristine 'surpy wood best not be spoken aloud for fear finding yourself on a pyre.

I have seen some mighty beautiful BSA, and PH on various actions. Objects of beauty built on robust 'surps. Also seen some horrors...a local fella carved his own stock out of birch for a k-98. "Folk smithing" at it's finest....still kept his freezer full.
 
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