THE GUN SHOP
&
VAN HORN CUSTOM RIFLES

~ OUR STOCK SHOP ~




The stock may be your most critical decision!



The Fit

Have you ever looked across a canyon at the proverbial deer of a lifetime, only no matter what you do you can't seem to find him in your scope. There may be a more frustrating thing on this planet but we don't know what it is. Everything worked fine at the range. The gun had felt great when you picked it up in the gun store. What went wrong?

For starters you probably shouldered the rifle wearing a thin shirt instead of the thicker clothes you will most likely be wearing during the hunt. In fact the rifle may have been to long for you then also. Did it have a scope on it when you looked at it. Chances are it didn't. Just mounting a scope on a rifle can change how you shoulder the firearm. You may have added a recoil pad, if not done correctly it can add length to your rifle.

Did I here you say "But I checked it from my bent elbow to my finger." While that is a starting point it is not always correct. If your forearms are longer or shorter than the norm that check might not work for you. Again you probably checked it while wearing thinner clothing. Shoot maybe your scope is just mounted wrong. Whether we are building you a custom rifle, adding a recoil pad or mounting a scope, we will work with you to make sure you can put the crosshairs on that buck of a lifetime.

The Material

In todays market there are a number of different materials being used to hold a firearm. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.


WOOD
    Pro
  • Wood is considered the most beautiful.
  • The feel; many people think wood feels better in their hands.
  • Tradition; A Hawken or Pennsylvania muzzle loading rifle just wouldn't' look good in plastic.
    Con
  • Cost; you are going to pay a lot for the beauty.
  • Durability; wood is easily damaged.
  • Stability; the conditions you are shooting in can have an adverse affect on accuracy.
For a description of the different grades and a price list click here!


LAMINATES
  • Pro

  • A different look; while not as beautiful as wood the laminates have a beauty all their own. It may take some looking but you can probably find one that makes you happy.
  • Durability & Stability; laminates are an extremely strong and stable material. They are all but unaffected by the weather and will take a lot of damage before they are unusable.
  • Density; they are heavier than a regular wood or synthetic rifle. When used in a hard recoiling rifle they can help absorb some of the recoil.
  • Con

  • Cost; they can be very expensive.
  • Density; while great for hard recoiling it is not so great for a light mountain rifle. It can be lightened by hollowing much of it. You run into the price tag again.


SYNTHETICS
  • Pro

  • Cost; there are a number of different companies making a number of different stocks using a number of different materials. While there are a number of synthetic stocks that would rival some of the best wood in price there are many very good stocks at a more than reasonable price.
  • Strength, durability & stability; those three words say it all. They are a go anywhere do anything piece of equipment. They are un-effected by anything we humans could hunt or shoot in.
  • Light weight; it is a toss up whether the best thing about them is their weight or their durability. Want to build a really light weight rifle?
  • Con

  • While there are some nice looking stocks on the market, on the whole they are better described as "ruggedly handsome".
  • Not suitable for every firearm. Some countries may frown on camouflage finishes. Always check the firearm laws where you will be hunting. ** We had posted that SYNTHETICS stocks were illegal in some countries. We were unable to reverify this, we are sorry if this caused any inconveniences!**
  • Some stocks need a lot of work, putting on a finish to help your grip or a filler to deaden the hollow plastic sound they make when bumping something. This, of course, adds to the cost.


WOOD / LAMINATES / SYNTHETICS / STYLES





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Created by, MY GUN ROOM©, 4/15/98

MY GUN ROOM©, Created 12/20/97