McMillan A5 vs KMW Sentinel Combat?

[icarus]

Hi!
I´m in for a new stock (and build) in 300 win mag. I had more or less decided on the McM A5, but some time ago I was able to get a look at the KMW sentinel stock. I really liked the feel and build of the KMW, but was only able to try it from the prone position, and only for a short period of time.

I´m planning on using my new build for both range work, and hunting. The rig will be pretty heavy anyway, but do anyone know the weight difference on the two stocks?

Do anyone have experience with the KMW stock for hunting, or any experience with it from other positions than prone?

Thanks!

 

[Layton]

Re: McMillan A5 vs KMW Sentinel Combat?

KMW's site say 5 lbs, 2 oz. on average. McM A5s are about the same but can be made as heavy or very light depending on your preference. Might call Terry Cross and talk to him directly.

L

 

[Barney88PDC]

Re: McMillan A5 vs KMW Sentinel Combat?

The two major differences IMO are the thumbhole and quasi LOP distance. Let me explain. I know LOP is from the stock pad to the trigger, usually approximately 13.5”. The distance I am talking about is where your hand naturally rest on the stock to the trigger itself. Or the distance from your hands natural position to the trigger itself. On a McMillan my hand position is set from the third joint on my fingers as they wrap around the stock to the trigger. On the SENTINEL the grip is established from the web of your hand grasping the back of the pistol grip to the trigger. The distance to the trigger from my hands natural grip position on the McMillan is further than on the SENTINEL. At first I thought that the SENTINEL was too close and I was getting too much trigger finger engagement. The trigger was resting between my first and second joint (in the hinge) instead of the center pad of first finger joint.

Well I learned that my entire trigger finger position and how I pulled the trigger was completely wrong. I didn’t know about a 90 trigger finger engagement and I used to curve my finger into the trigger and “cut the corner”. With my finger in this curved attitude the center of my index fingers pad would rest on the center of the trigger on the McMillan due to the trigger being further away from my natural hand placement. With this same (wrong) curved trigger finger engagement I would “grap too much trigger” as described above with the SENTINEL. I have since trained myself out of my prior bad positioning. I cannot establish a 90 degree trigger finger engagement without sliding my hand slightly forward on the McMillan. On the SENTINEL the length from the back of the grip to my index finger in a 90 degree attitude is perfect.

I hope the above makes some sense. If not take your hand and hold it up in front of you. Extend your index finger straight out and start to bend it in. Continue to bend your finger until your first and second joints are perfectly perpendicular to your third joint. That is a proper 90 degree attitude. My old trigger finger position was somewhere before you would get to this 90 degree orientation. Notice how the pad of your finger is further away in the curved state.

^^^^^I know that does not really flow well but I hope you get the point.

The A5’s I think usually come in about 5 pounds. I think the SENTINEL’s are comparable or not enough to matter. I can tell you that a SENTINEL with a Surgeon 591, Jewell trigger, 26” 6.5mm MTU contour with a brake comes in at 14.5 pounds bare (no optics or bipod).

I run one on my gun that I use in precision rifle matches. I would say over ½ of the shots are NOT from a prone position. They may be supported off of barricades, out of windows, off roof tops, hoods / trunks of vehicles and I have no issues. I absolutely love it.

Now the sad reality is that what works for one person does not work for someone else. The best thing is to truly get behind as many different stocks as you can before making your decision. The internet cannot tell you what will work for you it really is trial and error.