Gunsmithing Any one ever made a fiberglass stock?

[BenY 2013]

I have been kicking around the idea of making a fiberglass stock (like mcmillan or manners) for my CZ. I have seen a thread here on the hide where a guy made an A5 stock for a 10/22 by making a mold and molding the stock to shape.

So does anyone know how this is done and what type of product could be used? What are the molds made of? I have absolutely no experience in this but like to learn new things! Thanks for any info!

 

[seanh]

Re: Any one ever made a fiberglass stock?

you'll need to go look into the RC world regarding fuselage layup. You can find quite a bit of material available regarding molds, materials, techniques.

Regarding materials and molds...entire forums devoted just to this topic.


If I were to take on this venture for no other purpose other than a project, I'd just buy one that is close to what I want then modify it as necessary. Trying to make one from scratch is a PIA.

if I were to do it myself, I'd simply carve the shape I want, vaccum bag the fiberglass/carbon fiber to the foam core using one of the epoxy resins from the below companies...once the shell is made, get a ridged expandable foam and inject it into the shell.

http://www.epoxysystems.com/epoxy.aspx

http://www.smooth-on.com/Laminating-Epoxies/c1335/index.html


If I had no experience, I'd just by a stock blank and cut it as necessary...far less work and would save money to boot.

 

[BenY 2013]

Re: Any one ever made a fiberglass stock?

Hmm if it would be cheaper than I may just do a stock blank, I certainly don't have alot of money to dump into this project; especially for a one off deal. Alright thanks for the money saving tip!

 

[seanh]

Which CZ do you have?

The first thing I'd do is call both McMillan and Manners and see what they can do. Manners would be my first choice as McMillan is a long wait and a bit expensive.

Have you looked at the McMillan line of rimfire stocks? Also, for the CZ 22's you can look at a stock like is in the below link...it's wood but nice.
CZ 455/.22LR STD MATCH STOCK RH Stock/RH Action : Rifle Stocks at GunBroker.com


A blank isn't a bad idea but you'll need the machinery to cut it. If you're on a budget, I wouldn't recommend going that route...far too easy to screw up.

You may want to start out by getting some blue or pink foam from the hardware store, carving what you want, glassing it, eat out the core with some acetone, then fill with a ridged polyurathane expanding foam...cut to fit your action then properly bed it with marinetex. still an expensive route but cheaper than calling McMillan and getting them to do it.

 

[BenY 2013]

I wish I had the money for a Mcmillan or Manners, those are awesome stocks! I have a very close friend who has all the equipment(mill, router, etc.) and we are going to "glue" several pieces of wood together, inlet for the action, then shape it to my liking! I may cover if with a coating of fiberglass to help seal it. This way should be pretty much free for me. Well my time, but hey what is spare time for! I will try to take pictures of the process and maybe do a step by step if anyone is interested?

 

[seanh]

may want to give this guy a call and see if he can provide a blank...

http://www.troupsystems.com/Leopard savage mk stock.htm

 

[Scimitar]

I made one from several layers of birch plywood laminated together, cut a copy of a Manners T4 undersized and covered it with 3 layers of fiberglass and resin. Installed pillars and bedded.
Strong as it needs to be.

 

[BenY 2013]

I made one from several layers of birch plywood laminated together, cut a copy of a Manners T4 undersized and covered it with 3 layers of fiberglass and resin. Installed pillars and bedded.
Strong as it needs to be.

Exactly what I am planning on doing!