M14 Forum

rchjr · February 6th, 2012, 10:47 AM

Hello there,

I ordered a " Big Red Birch " from Freds. After I ordered it I sent a follow up email requesting a Winchester two days later. What I received is not what I was expecting, the pistol grip area is no bigger than the standard stock that is on my rifle now. Under the butt plate is an " S " with some sort of marking over it. Can someone please tell me what I received? I have emailed and made phone calls and no answer as of yet.

Any help would be appreciated.

One more thing, on his website it says " Excellent, Big Red Birch - None have the DoD or P because they were manufactured and issued as replacement stocks. But of all wood M14 stocks, these are the strongest! Sorry, no quantity discounts on these - there are too few left in stock..." This stock has both the P and the DoD.

Thanks,

Rchjr

Charlene32 · February 6th, 2012, 11:31 AM

you have a stock made by Sikes. they made replacement stocks for Springfield, i believe. Sikes made heavy birch stocks as well as Winchester. can you post pics of your stock? they way to tell if you have a heavy stock is the thickness of the fore arm, gip, heel, and the cut out in the bolt stop area.

you may or may not have received a heavy "big red" stock, but you did NOT receive a stock made by Winchester.

rchjr · February 6th, 2012, 01:49 PM

Update:

While I was out doing errands today I got phone call from Fred of Freds M14 stocks.I emailed him this mornnig about the order, He apologized for the mix up in the order and another stock is on its way, this time a big red Winchester birch! I told him I would send the other back and he said he would add some stuff to my order to cover the shipping.

Thanks for the reply Charlene32

Rchjr

washington · February 6th, 2012, 10:07 PM

Fred is a good man.

Mantis60 · February 9th, 2012, 09:11 AM

I bought a birch wood stock off evil bay about a year ago, not one bid one it, for 130 OTD The stock is untouched, came with all new hardware in a bag. The front band is installed. I have a USGI walnut stock and this stock is heftier, it feels like it "fills your hands" There are no cartouches on it although it is stamped with under the butt plate.
11010263
-
s
I have the blueprints for a NM or XM21 stock. This stock has all the routes noted in the blueprint, not the one on the heel of the stock though, it is not shown in the prints either. I mention this because the DVD I purchased shows the man putting this route in. All the dimensions are exactly what the blueprint calls for.
What stain was used on the "Big Red" and what was the final finish. I am a luthier, get as technical as you want about the staining, finishing process.
Don't understand how to put up pix, if I can't point and shoot (click), well I am not able to do it.

jim-analog · February 11th, 2012, 09:20 AM

Greetings,

Hi Mantis 60!

What is the DVD you refer to in your post?

I asked the same question about the big red stock color quite some time ago. From what I was able to find out, the pigment used to get the red tint was some type of iodine based dye. There wasn't much other info at all and no "recipe" I could find. I tried to duplicate the color using the Fairtrimmer's Military oX product, but it didn't work out to well for me. When time allows, I'll give it another attempt. Here is the link, but believe I recently saw that Brownells is now carrying this product; it may be easier to purchase from them. Good luck!

http://www.fairtrimmers.com/

Regards, Jim

PS.........I'm an *amateur* luthier.

pjomalley · February 13th, 2012, 08:49 AM

only sells thru brownells now; can use feiblings alcohol shoe leather die before using fairtrimmers

Gus Fisher · February 23rd, 2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchjr

" Excellent, Big Red Birch............... But of all wood M14 stocks, these are the strongest!

Every time I see that I just CRINGE !!

This claim is based SOLELY on the fact that birch is so much softer than Walnut, that it won't crack QUITE as easily as walnut when extreme force or pressure is applied.

Birch scratches, gouges, dents, dings, AND WEARS LOOSE from the recoil of rounds fired far faster than good walnut and that's the reason Walnut was always the first choice for military arms, over many centuries, in this and most other countries that had walnut. We only went to Birch after good walnut became so expensive the Arsenals went to Birch to cut costs and get enough wood for gun stocks.

forsyth793 · February 23rd, 2012, 08:48 AM

I am looking for a Walnut Stock that is stronger than a GI M14 Stock. I am not interested in the Heavy Competition Stock as it is too Heavy. Is there any Mid Weight Stocks available. Strength and the ability to Glass Bed is the main concerns..... Do You have any recommendations.

Gus Fisher · February 23rd, 2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forsyth793

I am looking for a Walnut Stock that is stronger than a GI M14 Stock. I am not interested in the Heavy Competition Stock as it is too Heavy. Is there any Mid Weight Stocks available. Strength and the ability to Glass Bed is the main concerns..... Do You have any recommendations.

I would suggest you check to see if Boyd's makes such a stock.

Gus Fisher · February 23rd, 2012, 02:35 PM

This may be what you are looking for:

SPRINGFIELD M1A
* M1 A STYLE 1 - IS AN OVERSIZED DUPLICATE OF THE STOCK USED ON THE M14 RIFLE, BUT DOES NOT HAVE THE SELECTOR CUT MACHINED INTO IT.

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Replac...-M1A-s/120.htm