USGI fiberglass stocks are 60 years old, but sometimes you can find one in nice shape. Once you have 50 posts you will have access to forum classifieds.

 

I'll look around!

 

The older "bumpy" textured stock was actually USGI fiberglass stock recondition by SAI. So better quality than the newer synthetic stock. You can simply sand it down and reapply your favorite flat black color (Cerakote or just household spray paint from home improvement store).

 

The Stock that's currently on this rifle, has a very "bumpy" finish and seems EXTREMELY rickety. I'm told this IS a USGI Fiberglass stock. I'm hoping not based on what you've said. The surface seems so prone to marking I made scratches and marks on it I couldn't rub off just by manipulating the rifle while wearing two of the large rings my Wife gets me for my birthday every year. The Handguard is of the same material and is SO flexible and flimsy I can move it around with just my fingers. I can flex it laterally by squeezing it with my finger and thumb, and it's bowed upward in the center to where the bottom doesn't sit flush with the stock.... it gives the overall impression it's about a half-inch too long for the space it's meant to sit in, and so is flexing up in the middle.

Short version... I absolutely hate it. It seems so incredibly schitty as to be possibly unsafe to use. The SA Synthetic Stock I bought seems a positive luxury by comparison.

If this isn't a USGI Fiberglass stock, what is it?

 

Yes I agree it sounds like you need a USGI fiberglass stock. A company called FreeTime or Gun broker sell them used for about $100 and it can be painted flat black. They are good stocks.

 

First things first: Welcome to the forum. The only downside to FG stocks is the lack of rigidity in the fore end. This is easily remedied with strips of aluminum plate, carbon fiber, carbon arrow shafts etc. and epoxy. I’m currently working on 5 of these and can paint them to order. PM me if interested or if you need any help in DIY.

 

Don't do anything to the bumpy stock except stow it in the closet in original condition. After you have been shooting & reading awhile it may someday seem valuable to you. And just like a rope, you can't add material back on to it once you cut it.

 

Just shoot the dang thing. Stock be danged...you can swap them whenever you like.

 

Well, that just isn't my way.... I nearly always end up fixing-up and improving and upgrading the guns I buy. Whatever the divergence from various philosophies ... that's just my way.

Before anything, I'm a 1911 addict, and there isn't much on those I possess sufficient skill to repair or upgrade.... but rifles is another matter. When I get into something brand new, like a whole new platform as is the case here, I generally buy something cheap and often in rough shape. I then spend a bunch of time learning everything there is to know about it by repairing, improving, replacing, upgrading, and modifying every single little piece and part.

As far as simply shooting the gun... plenty of that gets done in the meantime. When I went down to do my form on this rifle my senile, cranky old man FFL excavated 2k rds of dusty old M80 out of the basement and sold it to me for $400 ........ Based on how long my almost recent 1k rds case of M855 lasted, that should hold me through the Summer maybe.

 

Your "bumpy" is a well worn USGI fiberglass stock that has been refurbished with truck bed liner. Yes, they are pretty much garbage. They were the last of the USGI stocks available in bulk, 20 years ago.

 

So if I'm hearing everyone right... there are only THREE options out there in the world for a "traditional" stock for the M1A:

• Springfield Synthetic
• USGI Fiberglass
• Wood

Is that right?

I know there are lots of custom stock makers out there.... is there anyone who would make me a wood stock to my spec (Northern Hard Ash, stained deep deep black) for any reasonable price?

 

SAI synthetic
Usgi fiberglass
Commercial wood
Usgi wood
Mcmillan

In past there were more traditional options.

One can also take a delta 14 or m14ca blackfeather and put a hogue buttstock on it for a more classic look.