Quality stock duplicators

[John Havard]

I'm considering spending more money than I should on a restock project, logic and common sense be damned. Who would my fellow PGCA members recommend for doing high-quality stock duplication work? Not on a Parker but on a lever gun if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Brian Dudley]

What kind of lever gun? A relatively common model? There are some names of some duplication companies that I can possibly recommend that I have used for such guns.

I have my own duplication machine that I use for all my own restocking work. But for some common guns where special or customer supplied wood is not being used, it makes more sense to purchase semi-inletted wood from other companies given the cost they are selling them at.

One thing I will warn you of is to stay the hell away from Macon Gunstocks. Bad news.

[John Havard]

Brian, I own one Big Horn Armory Model 89 and will be getting another one. Their "upgraded" wood leaves a lot to be desired. Here's a link:

http://www.bighornarmory.com/catalog/big-horn-armory-products/model-89-carbine-500-sandw-2/

I was hoping to get one of their ugly-duckling stocks duplicated and then do the final finish myself. Cecil Fredi is patiently working with me on selecting a blank right now. Have mixed feelings about checkering or not. The stocks they now put on their rifles have laser-cut checkering and I'd definitely rather have none than that.

[Brian Dudley]

Here are some photos of a Winchester 71 that I restocked this past year. Looks like a similar gun to yours. The customer did opt for some nicer than factory wood for the buttstock.

It does not have checkering since it is the standard grade and not a Deluxe. I would have liked to checker it, but we wanted to stick relatively true to what is correct for the gun.

But, if you are thinking about it, it would be my opinion to have a quality hand checkering job done on the gun. It will look SO much better with it than not.


47568

47569


If you are looking for duplicator recommendations for that particular gun, I would suggest looking into a company called Silver Hill Co. They duplicate a lot of stocks for Winchesters and other lever/pump guns. They have some pretty hard to come by offerings and are always willing to do different things if you have a good pattern to send them and the quality of anything that I have ever gotten from them has been very good.

[John Havard]

Brian, that's indeed a beautiful Model 71 but I agree it would look better with checkering. PM sent your way.

John

[Paweł Janusz]

Me!

[keavin nelson]

I too have used Silver Hill with success, although I bought my own machine a few years ago.

[Brian Dudley]

What machine are you using Keavin?

[Jean Swanson]

Jerry Fisher ---Montana-----Google his web site----Top quality

[Robert Delk]

Article I read said that Fisher uses the Hoenig machine. My buddy had one for a short while before he passed and I had Mr. Hoenig profile and fit stocks to 2 Sako rifles back in the 80's.Unreal tolerances and I actually used the one rifle without the stock screws in place.I understand that H&H has a Hoenig. Sure was a time saver but still demanded care and fore thought when using it.

[Jean Swanson]

Several years ago , my friend Winston Churchill , asked me to find a Parker 28 gauge that a client of his wanted engraved . Winston did all the work necessary to make the metal PERFECT before engraving and Jerry Fisher did all of the wood for the upgrade. I can only say, after seeing the finish product, it was beyond approach, outstanding craftsmanship in all counts.

Allan

[keavin nelson]

What machine are you using Keavin?

Brian, not sure of the brand, came out of Arizona I think, bought it on E-bay - all hardware, etc. Had to provide mounting base, which I built out of 1" birchwood plywood. Fits on top of my welding table in the shop, and can be moved aside when not in use. Uses a router to cut. works well.

[Brian Dudley]

Ok. Sounds like a radar carve unit.

[keavin nelson]

yes radar carve was it