[dtandy]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum but I wanted to share my latest project. I have made a carbon fiber composite M1A stock and I wanted to get some feed back on its looks and what other features it should have. I have a business making high-end telescopes and I'm fortunate to own a CNC machine shop and also have carbon fiber composite fabrication capabilities (our telescopes have many carbon fiber composite parts). I happen to own a M1A and I thought it would be fun to make a carbon fiber stock for it. Since I have made the mold, I may want to sell these if there is a market for them.

The stock is 100% carbon fiber composite with Kevlar added to strategic locations where impact stresses are imparted to the stock. I've already impact tested one prototype through 2500 cycles and have fired several rounds through it with excellent results.

I made the stock by creating a bladder mold. The mold has a right half and a left half that mirror the M1A stock precisely. I lay up several layers of prepreg carbon fiber material, bring the two halves together, insert a bladder, and then inflate the bladder to a fairly high pressure (about 80 psi) while curing the carbon fiber in a large over at about 300 deg F for several hours. The next step is to finish the stock where the receiver fits (this is where Kevlar is used). The carbon fiber stock is much stiffer than the plastic synthetic stock that comes standard from Springfield.

The stock has three flat sections on the forend (both sides, one on the bottom)to serve as mounting points for Picatinny rails.

The butt has an internal carbon fiber composite tube where you can insert a stainless steel weight to increase the weight of the rifle to help reduce perceived recoil. To lighten up the rifle, just take the weight out.

I didn't add points to add a sling.

The raw stock weighs about 1 lbs 6 oz (without the rails) but that will go up a few oz with the rails and the addition of a recoil pad.

Here are a few images of the stock on my M1A.

I am looking for suggestions on what recoil pad will work. The stock Springfield pad has that large projection that extends into the butt on the top side and this is problematic. It is not easy to fit to the carbon fiber stock and I don't like its looks. But I've not had good luck finding another recoil pad for the M1A that doesn't require trimming (according to reviews). Anyone have a good suggestion for a quality recoil pad for a M1A? I suppose I can cut off the projection but I'd like to avoid that if possible by finding a good pad that matches will to the M1A but has no projection.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Bamban]

That is an awesome stock.

For buttstock, for my taste the old M1 buttplate (what I use in my McMillan stocks) should serve well. The Pachmayr decelerator might complement the carbon composite stock.

I am always looking at these rifles from competition angle, it would interesting for me to see a carbon composite molded around the McMillan M1a stock with these changes:

1. Smaller grip
2. Ability to add Lead or Tungsten composite heavy metal to the forearm to tune the moment of inertia. Given, not to interfere with the gas system, op rod guide and op rod.
2a. Or fill in the forearm with heavier filler and lighter past the grip for a total weight with all the metal of 5 pounds.
3. Optional holes in the buttstock for additional weight for others who prefer it. I do not add any weight in the buttstock.

Of course I am dreaming.

If you go in production with this one lots of people are looking for lighter, stronger stocks and add the tacticool stuff. I would say you have a market.


nez

 

[pitbulz21]

sharp, I too think the m1 butt plate would be the ticket but it's gotta have sling mounting points. looks good tho!

 

[mescalito]

Very cool.

 

[Real Steel]

Wonderful design

You are in the right place! Tap into the abundant knowledge and wisdom of the many professionals here and you will be able to definately gain a profound sense of what shooters of all types would like to improve on the stock choices of today. My days of manufacturing are over, but from the viewpoint of an old aircraft metals technology specialist, fine job.

 

[stoky]

welcome to the forum
cool project!
You might want to consider how strong the forend is, where some folks will want a bipod,

 

[spartin]

If you start producing them what would you expect to price it at?

 

[marineengineer]

My idea

Hello,

I'm new to the forum but I wanted to share my latest project. I have made a carbon fiber composite M1A stock and I wanted to get some feed back on its looks and what other features it should have. I have a business making high-end telescopes and I'm fortunate to own a CNC machine shop and also have carbon fiber composite fabrication capabilities (our telescopes have many carbon fiber composite parts). I happen to own a M1A and I thought it would be fun to make a carbon fiber stock for it. Since I have made the mold, I may want to sell these if there is a market for them.

The stock is 100% carbon fiber composite with Kevlar added to strategic locations where impact stresses are imparted to the stock. I've already impact tested one prototype through 2500 cycles and have fired several rounds through it with excellent results.

I made the stock by creating a bladder mold. The mold has a right half and a left half that mirror the M1A stock precisely. I lay up several layers of prepreg carbon fiber material, bring the two halves together, insert a bladder, and then inflate the bladder to a fairly high pressure (about 80 psi) while curing the carbon fiber in a large over at about 300 deg F for several hours. The next step is to finish the stock where the receiver fits (this is where Kevlar is used). The carbon fiber stock is much stiffer than the plastic synthetic stock that comes standard from Springfield.

The stock has three flat sections on the forend (both sides, one on the bottom)to serve as mounting points for Picatinny rails.

The butt has an internal carbon fiber composite tube where you can insert a stainless steel weight to increase the weight of the rifle to help reduce perceived recoil. To lighten up the rifle, just take the weight out.

I didn't add points to add a sling.

The raw stock weighs about 1 lbs 6 oz (without the rails) but that will go up a few oz with the rails and the addition of a recoil pad.

Here are a few images of the stock on my M1A.

I am looking for suggestions on what recoil pad will work. The stock Springfield pad has that large projection that extends into the butt on the top side and this is problematic. It is not easy to fit to the carbon fiber stock and I don't like its looks. But I've not had good luck finding another recoil pad for the M1A that doesn't require trimming (according to reviews). Anyone have a good suggestion for a quality recoil pad for a M1A? I suppose I can cut off the projection but I'd like to avoid that if possible by finding a good pad that matches will to the M1A but has no projection.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Dave

I have been working on an idea I will (almost) freely share with you. If you use it Ya Gotta send me one!
It might work too well and a rifle version of Glock Limp wristing might occur. That can be worked out with tuning.
Here is the best rough idea for a stock mod and recoil pad from a site much better than I can type out.

I now how much prepeg costs, vacuum bagging and I feel with the mold you have made you could clean up on several different versions of your stock at a good price point.

Straight USGI coloring on your stock

Desert Tan

Exposed carbon as in your photos

Shock absorber inserts as per my above idea

Of course after my free one, we get a group buy!

Joe

http://www.benelliusa.com/comfortech

Joe

 

[neiltus]

I would pay a right portion of my anatomy for one of those with an adjustable comb.

2500 cycles, are those firing cycles with standard ammo?

Edits:

A smaller grip than the McMillan would be wonderful. and I will second, that I am more of a fan of the M1 buttplate than the m14 buttplate. Recoil pads are not really useful for my application…I personally don't think they do anything other than mentally help those wanting one.

 

[Hobo Hilton]

Let's "cut to the chase"..... How does it shoot and handle?

I'd like to shave weight as much as possible. Unfortunately, my M1A, in a tactical environment, is already nose heavy.

I'd be interested in where the "balance point" is with it rigged out with a sling, scope and a fully loaded mag.

Thanks,

Hobo

 

[IRONMAN]

Absolutely Bad A$$.
Love it, what a beauty.
More my speed would be a pistolgrip/ lop adjustable.
I think you definately have a product people would line up for.
For as much as a lot of sissies whine about how "heavy" the M1A
this should be a golden ticket.
Have a good one

 

[7 for 1]

You my friend are on to something! Ill volunteer to be a beta tester

 

[hewiecobra]

Awesome idea brother.
I'm wet behind the ears compared to the salts here, but for me and several others I think it's all about weight. Any way you can keep it down and still have strength; the sky is the limit on how many guys would want this.
I know nothing of copyrights and whatnot, but if you could incorporate an adjustable comb for mounting a scope I'd throw my money at you right now.
I'm very interested with what some of the wiser folks on here have to say. But great start.
I anxiously await some more info. Thanks

 

[hewiecobra]

Awesome idea brother.
I'm wet behind the ears compared to the salts here, but for me and several others I think it's all about weight. Any way you can keep it down and still have strength; the sky is the limit on how many guys would want this.
I know nothing of copyrights and whatnot, but if you could incorporate an adjustable comb for mounting a scope I'd throw my money at you right now.
I'm very interested with what some of the wiser folks on here have to say. But great start.
I anxiously await some more info. Thanks

 

[dtandy]

Thanks for all of the feedback and please keep it coming.

I have some more testing to do. I am destructively testing one stock and I will be shooting several hundred rounds though the next stock to assess how consistently it shoots. So far, the pre-production stock has performed well in both aspects.

I will post more info here over the next few weeks.

Dave Tandy

 

[tonyben]

Amazing! Looks very nice! A perfect mix of classic and modern.

Tony.

 

[Bamban]

Thanks for all of the feedback and please keep it coming.

I have some more testing to do. I am destructively testing one stock and I will be shooting several hundred rounds though the next stock to assess how consistently it shoots. So far, the pre-production stock has performed well in both aspects.

I will post more info here over the next few weeks.

Dave Tandy

Dave,

Excellent product.

If you need a third party to test one for you, I'll volunteer. Heck I might even twist Art Luppino's arm or bribe him to bed/match prep it for me so there will be no question as to the precision and accuracy potential.

PM me if interested.

nez rongero

 

[masakari]

From a more tactical standpoint, I think this is really cool Idea. I would definitely consider buying one, but would like to see it with QD sling swivel sockets on each side and a rubber buttpad of some sort.

Grovtec makes multiple QD socket models, like the # 720203. Also Noveske, Midwest Industries, and Impact Weapons Components make great ones. I am not sure if this stock you made is hollow or not, that would certainly decide what sort of socket you would use.
Adding traditional sling mounts in the normal location would also be wise.

As far as the buttpad, something not too grippy would be best. Soft enough to help with recoil management, but not so soft that it grabs clothing and gear.

Small sections of optional screw on rails might be a wise option for the front of the stock. Magpul Midwest Industries, etc all make them.

Texturing on the grip areas would be very helpful.

Finally, it might be a good idea to consider a slightly reduced length of pull, maybe 1-2" shorter than a standard M14 stock. Remember to consider the length of the respective buttpads/plates.

 

[tonyben]

Also, I forgot to mention; One headache makers of M14 stocks is the differences in receiver geometry from receiver makers. Also, if you used the current SAI plastic stocks, you may want to reconsider making a golden mold from an excellent condition GI fiberglass stock or an excellent condition GI walnut stock that has been inspected for stock geometry. And if the buyer is like me, he will want to glass bed the stock which means a pre-routed stock would be ideal.

Different barrelled actions will fit differently in the same stock. Some will line up well or fit, and some might not. I would trial fit it into an M14 that's as close to GI specs as possible. I recommend making your "golden model" an LRB M14 with a GI profile barre, like a Criterion standard contour chrome lined barrel. For now, those should be the most consistent receivers to use as a baseline. They have very smooth surfaces and rounded corners. Other receivers may vary in thickness in receiver legs as well has have sharper corners and heavier machine marks.

These differences are one of the reasons we have to custom fit or glass bed rifles in the first place.

Tony.

 

[geoff3]

Very nice stock that's a modern looking m14 stock .....