Guns are part of American culture, and the right to gun ownership was included in the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. People consider their firearms as precious objects not only because of their economic value but also because they are linked to American tradition and history. That’s why it is so important for a manufacturer to be able to create a perfect gun stock or grips, customizing them according to clients’ preferences. It is not easy, however, to find a competent wood maker. Let’s discuss this topic.
Why is finding competent custom rifle stock makers so difficult?
Today, building a rifle stock means creating an object that is functional, precise, accurate, aesthetically beautiful, and perfectly suitable for the hunter. Wood is the first choice to meet these requirements. The problem is, though, that not all custom rifle stock makers have the expertise and machinery to manage wood properly.
In the video below, you can clearly see what key features you must look for in your supplier to understand if he is a real expert in the field. We will examine each point in depth after the video.
Here are the topics we will cover in this article:
- Focus on wood: why you should choose it for your stocks
- Characteristics of ideal custom rifle stock makers
- Experience in wood manufacturing
- Product innovation
- Certified raw materials
- Wood quality control
- Process innovation
- Dimensional control & perfect fitting
- Quality consistency
Focus on wood: why you should choose it for your stocks
Before discussing the characteristics of the right supplier, we want to briefly explain why wood should be the material to choose for perfect and functional stocks in your catalogue. Rifle and gun stocks are the element of the firearm that may determine the accuracy of the shot, depending on how they suit the hunter. Comfort, in fact, is in direct proportion to accuracy. So, how does wood affect the shot? Here are some important points.
Weight
Rifles can’t be too heavy or too light, and the stock has an important effect on the total weight. An heavy firearm will be difficult to handle for very long, while one that is too light could not guarantee an accurate shot. Wood provides the ideal weight.
Resistance
Wood absorbs impact better than any other material, especially plastic. Moreover, it is athermic, so it doesn’t change if it’s hot or cold. It also ensures a very soft recoil and is less prone to vibrate and flex under it. All these elements guarantee a more precise shot.
Production Flexibility
Wood is natural solid material but also easily workable, which allows custom rifle stock makers to personalize any product according to clients’ preferences. Professional shooters, in fact, need a stock personalized with the better fitting for high-level performance, so ergonomics is crucial for hitting the target consistently.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics has nothing to do with accuracy, but many enthusiasts choose wooden firearms because they consider them more prestigious and valuable. Wood has been used to create firearms since ancient times. Modern materials, such as plastic, stainless steel, and composites, are cheaper than wood, but they do not have the same quality and prestige of the finest aged walnut.
Characteristics of ideal custom gun stock makers
Let’s now discuss choosing the right manufacturer. If you want to offer high-quality products in your catalogue, you must find a competent supplier that knows the characteristics of a perfect stock and is able to reproduce them. You must consider, in fact, that American buyers know very well whether or not you are offering them the maximum quality possible. For it—but just for it—they are willing to pay a lot of money. Being enthusiasts, they are real experts in the field, and they always ask for innovative ideas and new product developments. You can understand why among so many custom rifle stock makers that it is not easy to find one that can guarantee the finest quality product. How can you recognize a competent wood manufacturer? In the video above, you saw some important features. Let’s discuss them.
Experience in wood manufacturing
Nature has hundreds of different types of wood, and to process them correctly, the manufacturer must know the characteristics of each one. There are precise tolerances that must be respected meticulously to create accurate and solid guns. Only a company that has a decennial heritage and whose competencies have been demonstrated over the years can guarantee this level of expertise.
Product innovation
Very often clients are not satisfied with their products. The problem is that your supplier is unable to offer new ideas or new styles to widen your catalogue and always proposes the same products. Therefore, your clients will be bored and also annoyed, which is not good for sales or your reputation. You must select those custom rifle stock makers that daily observe the market, are aware of new trends, and always offer new products and innovations.
You must also offer your clients the possibility to customize their products as they want. The manufacturer must provide top-quality and modern finishes for you to be able to offer a wide range of options to your clients, but not many custom rifle stock makers have a wide selection, so you must ensure it. Among the most innovative solutions, for example, are polymer coatings—which build a strong covering and make wooden stocks look like plastic—and soft-touch finishes, which add a velvety-soft feel to wood.
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Certified raw materials
Sustainability is an important issue that companies and brands must consider. People today are more aware of ecological problems, and they prefer buying recyclable products. Being a natural material, wood is eco-friendly, but you must verify that it is gathered carefully to preserve the environment of the forests. FSC certification—which guarantees that the raw material comes from responsibly managed forests and provides environmental, social, and economic benefits—is a must for those custom rifle stock makers that want to demonstrate they also care about ethical values that go beyond profit.
Wood quality control
The quality of the raw material is absolutely crucial. Reliable manufacturers invest a lot to get the newest machinery and systems to verify the quality of their wood. The plus is manual quality control. If besides automation you also have human control, quality is assured.
Process innovation
Smart factories today base their processes on automation, interconnectivity, machine learning, and real-time data, and they exploit the power of Industry 4.0. These aspects make the company more flexible during production and design phases, allowing for the production of goods in small lots (only when clients request them) and even half-processed products, completing production depending on the market trend and consumers’ requirements.
Dimensional control & perfect fitting
Wooden stocks are created to be assembled with other components, so a perfect fit is fundamental. Most custom rifle stock makers produce stocks with different materials, so they often don’t know the precise tolerances and characteristics of wood. This can cause major problems when assembling firearms and ensuring the accuracy of a shot. It is better to choose a supplier that specializes in wood manufacturing, as he will know everything about this unique material.
Quality consistency
The same quality guaranteed to produce one hundred precise pieces must also apply for one million. Your manufacturer needs special skills and innovative tools to do that, such as strict manufacturing procedures, groundbreaking technologies, and innovative tools.
Finding custom rifle stock makers with all of these requirements is not easy, but we guarantee that we will do our best to provide impeccable service for our customers and create the highest-quality wooden products on the market. Minelli is recognized worldwide for its ability and knowledge in wood manufacturing, always following rigorous processes and environmental sustainability.
If you have a project in mind, don’t hesitate to contact us! Our experts will be glad to evaluate your plan and help shape your idea.
