M1A: Wood or Synthetic stock?

[tesla85]

I'm going to buy an M1A but i can't decide between a wood or a synthetic stock. What do you all think? I'll be using it for deer and boar hunting, plinking, and target shooting. Thanks.:usa:

[Mark whiz]

It's hard to pass up that walnut stock.......they are gorgeous pieces. I was thinking about going with a synthetic stock model (mainly because I'm cheap ;) ), but my wife talked me into the Wood......and I'm glad she did!

The wood offers a slightly heavier & more stabil base for target shooting, while the Syn model offers possible better weather protection. You just need to evaluate your needs and average hunting conditions closely and base your decision thusly. If possible, handle both types - feel could well make the difference for you.

[GreenLantern]

I bought mine w/ wood. Took the my dealer about an extra week or two to find because of it. Now, I wish I'd have gotten the synthetic then I wouldn't be so concerned about dinging it up or an occasional scrape. If you're going to use yours for deer and boar hunting I'd expect it to get somewhat knocked around. You might then want the synthetic.

But here's another thought. Get the wood stock, then go to cheaperthandirt.com and get a used fiberglass one for $15. Throw that on it when you're heading to the woods.

GL

[djskit]

For what you're planning on doing - I'd go synthetic. (do they make a standard loaded SS with a synth stock???)
My walnut stock sure is pretty, by my heart breaks with every ding it gets!:usa:

[carry-45]

Hey Tes, I have both stocks for my M1A; one fully cartouched by the military inspectors in beautiful red-toned walnut,then for outside shooting w/humidity or inclement weather I have the issued fibreglass stock w/vented handguard.Have shot in the rain and driving snow with no worries about the adverse effects of moisture to the 'glass stock,plus no worries or guessing about changing bullet impact w/syn. stock. Get both and enjoy ! By the way,those nicely figured and colored (stained) walnut stocks are getting more expensive as time goes on. Now's the time to get one. BILL:2guns:

[maddon]

Got my M1A NM with a synthetic stock, then ordered a walnut stock from Freds. Why not have both, one for function and one for looks.:D

[LgAnimalVet]

Wood stock gives it that nice classic look, although if you are going to be using it much synthetic is probably the way to go.

[Robert D. Lyons]

Both of my M1As wear synthetic stocks. The older one had a nice walnut stock on it, but the weather and use from hunting and target shooting was wearing it out. Synthetic stocks are pretty much maintenance free, the weather doesn't bother it and it can take the abuse of hunting. My receivers fit very tight in the sythentic stocks and that contributes to good accuracy. Wood and/or bedding material eventually compresses and the receivers will move around from shot to shot, you won't have that problem with a synthetic.

[usarmycadet]

We have fired several thousand rounds through Garands or M-14s at once here in the military, and have found that when a wood stock gets very hot, it can start to smoke and burn, especially with resin or sap or oil that remains impregnated in the wood.

Synthetic stocks on the M-14 do not burn or smoke and also eliminates the stock splitting eventually on a wood stock.

This is probably not applicable to civilian considerations, because I doubt many people would fire a few thousand rounds through a weapon at once.

[John Wagner]

Got my M1A NM with a synthetic stock, then ordered a walnut stock from Freds. Why not have both, one for function and one for looks.:D

I did the same thing. I bought the gun with the walnut stock, finished it, then decided it looked too nice to risk putting a dent in it.

So I bought a well-used surplus fiberglass stock from Cheaper Than Dirt a couple of years ago, painted it OD green, and used that. I liked it, but it had been pretty battered before I bought it, so I bought an unissued fiberglass stock from Fred's. Using the experience I'd gained from the banged-up stock, I did a really professional paint job on it, and filled in the selector switch stock with a Sparrowhawk dummy kit.

Now I have three stocks for the M1A, one for special occasions, one for normal range use and another for SHTF. Nothing like variety.

[TODD3465]

For overall use a properly fiberglass reinforced an bedded GI synthetic stock is the way to go.
Lay up 2-4, depending on thickness, layers of figerglass cloth in the fore end area of the stock using Acraglass Gel when doing a glass bed job. Takes out alt of flex when using a sling for shooting.

[PSG1]

:)There is no question.Wood can/will expand and contract with temp changes and humidity.Synthetic is the ONLY way to go for stability.Thats why the army changed to synthetic later in the VN war.