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Manners, McMillan, or AI

#2
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

thumbhole vs no thumbhole. manners offers a mini chassis, 2.0 is ready to roll and mcmillan needs bedding. I just ordered a manners t4a. I guess if you want one fast go 2.0 otherwise mcm or manners
 
#4
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

Just ordered a Manners T4, talked to them 1st got all my questions answered, even the dumb ones
crazy.gif


This is my first time buying a high end aftermarket stock though.
 
#6
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: komifornian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">....When you consider cost, quality, and fit/finish which is the best bang for the buck?

Thanks in advance for your comments </div></div>

I tried an AICS. Well built. Rem 700 dropped right in. However after a while I noticed I had to strain or really concentrate to get/keep my hand in a good trigger position. Tried out other brands/models until I found one where my hand went right to the correct spot almost every time.

I liked the AICS for sure but the best bang for the buck was a McM that I had to spend some $$$ to put the Badger DMB and then bed.

Try and get your hands on the brands/models if you can first and it may help you decide (I bet you could find that quote from another Hider in a thread I started ..)
 
#9
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

Even the lowest based price Manners stock... the MCS-T, is a fantastic stock. I just sold mine, and have a MCS-T3 GAP Molded Camo stock coming. You can't go wrong with them... that's for sure!!

DK
 
#12
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SVG308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">AI is the cheapest when you figure in bottom metal and bedding. You need to decide what fits YOU best. </div></div>

Haven't priced an AICS recently, but when you compare it to the Manners Mini Chassis system... its very close.
 
#14
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

Am currently using McM A5's, but also have one rifle with a Manners T-4A.

Any of these three (McM A5, Manners T4A, or AICS should serve you well. Suggest you look/try each before you decide.

Most important, whichever you decide on, get out and use it.
 
#15
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KNIGHT11B4</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SVG308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">AI is the cheapest when you figure in bottom metal and bedding. You need to decide what fits YOU best. </div></div>

Haven't priced an AICS recently, but when you compare it to the Manners Mini Chassis system... its very close. </div></div>

Exactly. Manners is a great stock and great people. Waiting on my third T3 and the first with the mini chassis. Can't wait to drop my .308 in it.
 
#17
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

I have owned an AICS and sold it. The only stock I will spend my cash on is a Manners with a mini chassis. The mini chassis does not require bedding. I own one Manners with the chassis system. I took a bedded stock off my 7mm Mag and fitted it with the Manners and the rifle shot better than it ever has. I fitted a friend’s Manners with Chassis to a 308 I have and that gun is the most accurate rifle I have ever shot. A short action Manners with chassis system is currently in transit to my door from Manners.
Spend your money right the first time and order a Manners with a chassis system.
 
#18
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cav1993</div><div class="ubbcode-body">they are all good quality stocks-get behind them if you can and make your own choice. Truly a matter of personal preference. </div></div>

Amen...

It's like asking me what brand of underwear you want to wear. Yur three choices are all excellent, and in fact they are the best to choose from. But how do they fityou??? This of course is up to you to find out.

My personal opinion is...
that the AICS 2.0 is way to heavy as a carry around gun but a good value considering the chassis and bottom metal. Don't be fooled...all rifles/stocks can benefit from bedding.

The manners are built tough and are as good as the Mcmillans. I chose McMillan more than once so far because they fit my needs and more aesthetically pleasing to me than the manners. And I like the traditional molded in colors more on the McMillans.

I did find the AICS 2.0 to be very comfortable and pleasing to shoot. And the folding option is priceless for cleaning and storing in a tighter space.

Try them each for yourself.
 
#19
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

I have had great interations with the folks at Manners. I am really liking the T2A w/mini chassis I just got, and will be looking forward to more great stuff in the future.

That said, I also have a couple McM A3adj stocks and I love them as well. I know some great people over there too.

AI chassis' are solid performers, if you like them.

For your direct question, have you gotten behind any of your choices? The 3 you list are very different from each other and any of the three would be a great choice, just get the one that fits you best (hard to do if you can't shoot them huh?).
T5A w/mini chassis would be the safest route to go in my opinion.
McM A5 and Manners T4A are so close its scary, they just "feel" a little different.

Tough question. I choose T2A MCS chassis.
 
#20
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

Keep in mind that it depends on fit for you. I have average size hands and they fit great into my AICS. However, a friend of mine has giant meat hooks and he can barely hold the AICS.
 
#21
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

How did you 'narrow it down' to those three stocks? They are very different stocks. What features do you like about each of the ones you chose? Did you try each of them them first? If you haven't settled on one stock, or are deciding between two similar ones for a particular reason, then you don't need a custom stock just yet.
 
#22
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

Thanks for all of the help everyone, I sincerely appreciate it!

I guess I need to find out how or where to get behind each stock to see which one fits/feels best - where I do this is the million dollar question, especially because I live in Komifornia.

I know they're all fantastic stocks but, unfortunately, I don't have the opportunity to test them all. This is why I started this thread.
So far Manners wins.
 
#23
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

Don't know where Novato is, but there are a LOT of precision rifle shooters in CA.

If you are ANYWHERE near Sacramento/Bay area look up NorCal Practical Precision Rifle Club.
 
#24
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

I've been thinking about which stock to get and this thread is almost exactly what I was wondering about also.

Got a quick question though, to get all three of these stocks up and running right, what is the cost roughly going to be with all three stocks?
 
#25
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LRB45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...Got a quick question though, to get all three of these stocks up and running right, what is the cost roughly going to be with all three stocks? </div></div>

Kind of an apples and oranges question. The AICS comes with bottom metal/mag. You can get the Manner delivered with or without their mini-chasis (DBM and mag), and with McMillan you can order it with which ever inlet you want (ADL, BDL, or an inlet for a DBM) and then put it in yourself or have someone do it for you.....

- you can find prices for AICS chasis (not sure what they are currently going for) but a Rem 700 will drop right in).
- Manners should have their pricing posted; I understand the Rem 700 will also drop right in.
- McM have prices posted on web site - you just need to figure which DBM you want to use and but then you need to figure some $$ for install and possibly bedding unless you do it yourself.
 
#27
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

It has been said repeatedly here but you really need to try the stocks out if you can. I am not a fan of thumb hole stocks yet the T-5 is comfortable to me. I was fortunate enough to get a chance to fondle quite a few stocks before I made my decision on a T-4A last year. The AI just did not feel comfortable to me. The T-5 did but the T-2A and T-4A were even more comfortable. The McM's I tried were comfortable but something about the Manners just felt better when I got behind the rifles. I have a second T-4A on order right now and am hoping to be able to get a 3rd next year. So much of it is going to come down to fit and feel for you. None of theses stocks are cheap. If you end up getting the wrong one you can probably sell it here on the hide but you will end up paying more in the long run.
 
#29
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

I have had them all.

Still can not decide if I like the AICS or not.

I think one of the most cost effective routes, is McMillan for around $500 new closeout, they can be found setup for Badger M5. R&D bottom metal can be had for around $230 shipped new and is a drop in fit.

Just me thoughts

that's is what I did on my last build.

1308839766.jpg
 
#30
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't know where Novato is, but there are a LOT of precision rifle shooters in CA.

If you are ANYWHERE near Sacramento/Bay area look up NorCal Practical Precision Rifle Club. </div></div>

Komifornian...

http://www.ncpprc.com/

Check out the NorCal web site, has its own forum, and they are a great bunch of shooters. There is a match practice next Saturday. If you want to come out Saturday I would be happy to let you check out my A1-3 although that stock is kinda different than the three stocks you were looking at.

SG
 
#31
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

Thanks for the link!

Novato is about 80 miles from the Folsom club. I just moved up here from Santa Barbara and have planned on going to this range but just haven't made it out there yet.

Santa Barbara was nice because I could just go into the back country which was relatively close and set up steel plates at any distance I wanted, it was a super fun to shoot in a different settings - forested areas, grass lands, or mountains. Miss it!
 
#32
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

I love everything about my McM but the wait it took to initially get it to me. from order to my door it was 18 weeks.

i do love the feel and positioning of i, and the OD green paint was nice as well, though i wish it would have been a little darker. but thats just personal preference
 
#33
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: komifornian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the link!

Novato is about 80 miles from the Folsom club. I just moved up here from Santa Barbara and have planned on going to this range but just haven't made it out there yet......
</div></div>

FYI - NCPPRC shoots at the Sac valley Shooting Center. The general public can shoot at the 100yd and 300yd ranges (you have to qualify on the 100yd first). However you need to shoot with a member to shoot the other ranges like the 500yd steel and 1K ranges - if you want you can coordinate and come shoot at the practice sessions etc with the NCPPRC group (more on the web site about this).

Sac Valley web site: http://sacvalley.org
 
#34
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

Grab ahold of a AI and put it in your shoulder. They are great stocks but they dont fit everyone. I like the hell out of the Manners T1's and T4's I have. But also like the McM A2, A3 and A4.

I dont like thumb holes either so that would leave me with the A5 out of your choices.
 
#35
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

I have owned the Manners and the McM. I have smaller hands and the McMillan fits my grip better. The manners was a little thick in the grip for me. The AICS is nice, but I prefer the grip of the fiberglass style stocks.
Like was said, lay down behind one of each if at all possible. Shooting position makes all the difference. All these stocks are quality, your comfort on the gun will be the difference.
Rob
 
#36
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

I have a manners and a AICS. Different applications and ergonomics from each stock but both are well assembled.
 
#37
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

Thats a lot like asking chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry? It is strictly the owners opinion. I have a AIC1.0 and despise it. Handled some McMillians I really liked and currently have a Manners on order.
 
#40
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SVG308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">AI is the cheapest when you figure in bottom metal and bedding. You need to decide what fits YOU best. </div></div>

I second this answer.

Never thoguth I would see AI and cheapest in the same sentence, but its true in this case. Bottom metal is expensive.
 
#41
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

Not only do you need to try and crawl behind each one, you need to specify what your build is going to be. I bought an action that came with bottom metal so that didn't need to be a consideration for me. Also, you mention the ai which is thumbhole against two that aren't. Just try to get a feel for them. I personally went with a manners T4 and after dealing with them I wouldn't go anywhere else. Between myself and my cousin we have 5 manners. The others are good too though!
 
#42
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: beenjammin</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SVG308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">AI is the cheapest when you figure in bottom metal and bedding. You need to decide what fits YOU best. </div></div>

I second this answer.

Never thoguth I would see AI and cheapest in the same sentence, but its true in this case. Bottom metal is expensive.</div></div>

Not really.

AICS 2.0 runs about $1047

AICS 1.5 runs about $857

Manners fixed stock $475 plus Mini Chassis $360 = $835

Manners adjustable stock $615 plus Mini Chassis $360 = $975
 
#46
Re: Manners, McMillan, or AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: komifornian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for all of the help/suggestions -

I'm going with Manners becuase dealing with them is so much easier than the other companies.

Customer service won my business. </div></div>


You chose wisely.
 
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