Had you rather have synthetics or wood for you all purpose shotgun?

gipper · November 15, 2002, 09:50 AM

For uses of deer, turkey, and small birds; had you rather have your shotgun in synthetics or wood?

I'm not too informed about guns, used hand me down shotgun in the past, and am looking for my first new gun, an all purpose shotgun, so I'll have a few questions in the near future. Thanks.

Duke of Lawnchair · November 15, 2002, 11:36 AM

That's a tough one for me. I'm not a hunter and about the only hunting I have ever done in my life is play "Duck Hunt" on the old 8-bit Nintendo entertainment system. However, I have taken a few firearms out camping and as far as pure creature comforts are concerned, the wood guns were the most comfortable. Their heat capacity isn't as much as plastic stocks and they don't freeze my poor cheek when I shoulder and sight my guns. On the other hand, plastics are very weather resistent (we all know that) and quite durable.

bismark · November 15, 2002, 12:07 PM

Wood. Plastic is ugly.

Guyon · November 15, 2002, 12:20 PM

Synthetic. I like the all black look.

Even more importantly, I like the fact that I don't have to worry so much about scratches or water in the field. My synthetic stock can get soaked, and I don't care so much. With a wood stock, I'd be taking greater precautions to cover it up.

Hunted last Tuesday in the rain with a synthetic stocked muzzleloader. While I did worry about my powder getting wet (condom over muzzle), I didn't give a second thought to the stock.

Skullboy · November 15, 2002, 02:39 PM

Nothing beats the look of nice wood.I had the wood redone on my Winchester Mod. 12 and it looks beautiful.But for durability I would go for synthetic stocks on gun that sees a lot of heavy use.Don't have to worry about weather ruining nice wood , putting dings in it.HTH.

Skullboy.

Cowdogpete · November 15, 2002, 03:45 PM

Bismark said it best.

A gun with a fine wood stock is a thing of beauty. Plastic is ugly. I use all my guns, wood or otherwise. I am careful but don't worry excessively about dings and scuffs. It happens. ANd it can be refinished.

Wood and steel; the perfect combination.

Poodleshooter · November 15, 2002, 04:01 PM

I like plastic. It doesn't chip or gouge so easily, and I never worry about it getting wet in the bottom of my canoe. Plus the forend on my Mossberg came as the '80's style slick beavertail with almost no checkering and no indentation, so the conversion to a corncob synthetic set was a great improvement.

gipper · November 15, 2002, 04:09 PM

Ok, so are there any differences in price between the two for the same model new or used and is there a difference in recoil or handling?

Thanks.

PS. Poodleshooter, you smoked me on the checked patterning and corncob pipe conversion. We peons need simple terms. Could I get a little explanation?

K80Geoff · November 15, 2002, 07:15 PM

I have two 870's, one with wood and one with plastic. Wood is better. More comfortable to shoot. I find the plastic forearm uncomfortable to shoot, also a bit slippery.

When I can find a decent piece of wood cheap I will change back!

K80Geoff · November 15, 2002, 07:27 PM

As far as price, the Remington 870 express is the same price with either wood or synthetic. However express wood is not exactly good looking.

A beavertail forend is fat and usually overlaps the receiver when "Shucking". The "Corncob' forend is smaller and has a series of concentric rings rather than checkering.

Here is an 870 with a beavertail forend:
http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/870EXP.HTM

I will now try to find a picture of a "Corncob" bear with me here.

Aha here it is! http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...ype=index&rid=

Romulus · November 15, 2002, 08:06 PM

I just switched back to wood. I just couldn't stand looking at the black plastic any longer. Got two nice used walnut stocks with ringed forends, I'm refinishing them now...I'll probably keep the plastic one to slap on for that especially wet nasty day in the field.

Mannlicher · November 15, 2002, 08:35 PM

to me it makes no difference. I have both, and would not swap one out for the other.

HSMITH · November 15, 2002, 10:07 PM

It is synthetic for me from here on out on working guns. Wood is pretty and warm and all of that, but I am rather hard on equipment and wood looks like it after a few seasons. If you hunt long and hard, and do not want to have to worry about scratching or nicking your gun go with plastic.

Romulus · November 16, 2002, 04:49 AM

I can't help but think about everybody's granpappy and associated shotgunning activities of yesteryear...all wood, and (I assume, I wasn't there) no complaints about weather's assault on walnut hardware...

Dave McC · November 16, 2002, 12:50 PM

Wood, but not by a large margin. Each has its uses, and plastic stuff is quite durable.

Wood is easier to modify, for those of us that do not fit factory stocks.

Ideally, my target guns would have scrumptious wood, and my waterfowlers with Mattel stocks. In between is well, in between.

KSFreeman · November 16, 2002, 01:10 PM

I want it tough. The proper test for any weapon is for it to function without fail after beating it with a 23 oz. framing hammer for 5 minutes.

Synthetic for me, please.

sm · November 16, 2002, 04:24 PM

Wood
percieved recoil seems less
easier to modify for fit
has character

Peetmoss · November 16, 2002, 07:41 PM

Either wood or plastic is fine by me. A field gun shouldn't look pretty it should be functional. If it's too pretty you just might be afraid to take it out and use it.

Ewok_Guy · November 16, 2002, 08:17 PM

Synthetic.
Wood is ugly.

HSMITH · November 16, 2002, 09:42 PM

I have never broken or seen a plastic stock break, I have broken wood stocks, and seen some others broken. On a business gun I want plastic.

youngun · November 17, 2002, 12:38 AM

It's not like the synthetic aftermarkets are that expenseive.
Buy wood, then get the ugly one for the w/e excursions.

For the home, give me a nice Wingmaster, sawed-off, extended tube.
Classy dangerous.

eap · November 17, 2002, 10:57 AM

prefer wood. synthetic is more durable.

Redlg155 · November 17, 2002, 12:13 PM

I prefer wood on my personal shotguns. The extra weight helps soak up recoil and bit and is "warmer" during those cold days in the woods.

During qualifications I'm the first one to run for a wood stocked shotgun!

Now on a rifle I want synthetic if I'm going to hunt with it. You don't have any worries about the change in the stock affecting your point of impact with a shotgun, with a rifle there is a definite possibility if the weather is really bad.

Good Shooting
RED

kahrma · November 17, 2002, 12:44 PM

Synthetic. Wood looks old time and ugly.

gipper · November 18, 2002, 04:13 PM

I went out gunshopping the other day, and I figured out the differnce in the stock patterns. thanks for the help K80Geoff. I see the difference between the rings and the checkers.

It looks like I've found a remington 1100 with wood stock and I guess I'll just shoot it as is until I decide I want to try it differently.

thanks for the help. I'll check back if anyone has anything else to add.

November 15, 2002, 09:50 AM	#1
gipper Junior Member Join Date: November 15, 2002 Posts: 8	Had you rather have synthetics or wood for you all purpose shotgun? For uses of deer, turkey, and small birds; had you rather have your shotgun in synthetics or wood? I'm not too informed about guns, used hand me down shotgun in the past, and am looking for my first new gun, an all purpose shotgun, so I'll have a few questions in the near future. Thanks.

November 15, 2002, 11:36 AM	#2
Duke of Lawnchair Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 1999 Location: Kern County, CA Posts: 215	wood or plastic? That's a tough one for me. I'm not a hunter and about the only hunting I have ever done in my life is play "Duck Hunt" on the old 8-bit Nintendo entertainment system. However, I have taken a few firearms out camping and as far as pure creature comforts are concerned, the wood guns were the most comfortable. Their heat capacity isn't as much as plastic stocks and they don't freeze my poor cheek when I shoulder and sight my guns. On the other hand, plastics are very weather resistent (we all know that) and quite durable.

November 15, 2002, 12:20 PM	#4
Guyon Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2000 Location: Over the Hills and Through the Woods, Tennessee Posts: 1,207	Synthetic. I like the all black look. Even more importantly, I like the fact that I don't have to worry so much about scratches or water in the field. My synthetic stock can get soaked, and I don't care so much. With a wood stock, I'd be taking greater precautions to cover it up. Hunted last Tuesday in the rain with a synthetic stocked muzzleloader. While I did worry about my powder getting wet (condom over muzzle), I didn't give a second thought to the stock. __________________ Gun control should just be about hitting your target.

November 15, 2002, 02:39 PM	#5
Skullboy Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2002 Location: Haney, B.C. Canada Posts: 104	Nothing beats the look of nice wood.I had the wood redone on my Winchester Mod. 12 and it looks beautiful.But for durability I would go for synthetic stocks on gun that sees a lot of heavy use.Don't have to worry about weather ruining nice wood , putting dings in it.HTH. Skullboy. __________________ DAMAGE INC. CUSTOM CAMO. If They Call It Tourist Season, Why Can't We Shoot Them?

November 15, 2002, 03:45 PM	#6
Cowdogpete Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2002 Location: Bosque County, TX Posts: 265	Bismark said it best. A gun with a fine wood stock is a thing of beauty. Plastic is ugly. I use all my guns, wood or otherwise. I am careful but don't worry excessively about dings and scuffs. It happens. ANd it can be refinished. Wood and steel; the perfect combination. __________________ Smoke on THR I love the smell of cordite in the morning.

November 15, 2002, 12:07 PM	#3
bismark Member Join Date: October 22, 2001 Posts: 38	Wood. Plastic is ugly.

November 15, 2002, 04:01 PM	#7
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	I like plastic. It doesn't chip or gouge so easily, and I never worry about it getting wet in the bottom of my canoe. Plus the forend on my Mossberg came as the '80's style slick beavertail with almost no checkering and no indentation, so the conversion to a corncob synthetic set was a great improvement.

November 15, 2002, 04:09 PM	#8
gipper Junior Member Join Date: November 15, 2002 Posts: 8	Ok, so are there any differences in price between the two for the same model new or used and is there a difference in recoil or handling? Thanks. PS. Poodleshooter, you smoked me on the checked patterning and corncob pipe conversion. We peons need simple terms. Could I get a little explanation?

November 15, 2002, 07:15 PM	#9
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	I have two 870's, one with wood and one with plastic. Wood is better. More comfortable to shoot. I find the plastic forearm uncomfortable to shoot, also a bit slippery. When I can find a decent piece of wood cheap I will change back! __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

November 15, 2002, 07:27 PM	#10
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	As far as price, the Remington 870 express is the same price with either wood or synthetic. However express wood is not exactly good looking. A beavertail forend is fat and usually overlaps the receiver when "Shucking". The "Corncob' forend is smaller and has a series of concentric rings rather than checkering. Here is an 870 with a beavertail forend: http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/870EXP.HTM I will now try to find a picture of a "Corncob" bear with me here. Aha here it is! http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...ype=index&rid= __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

November 15, 2002, 08:06 PM	#11
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	I just switched back to wood. I just couldn't stand looking at the black plastic any longer. Got two nice used walnut stocks with ringed forends, I'm refinishing them now...I'll probably keep the plastic one to slap on for that especially wet nasty day in the field. __________________ I knew Thomas Jefferson, he was a friend of mine...Governor Clinton, you're no Thomas Jefferson Ti faccio vedere come muore un italiano

November 15, 2002, 08:35 PM	#12
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	to me it makes no difference. I have both, and would not swap one out for the other. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

November 15, 2002, 10:07 PM	#13
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	It is synthetic for me from here on out on working guns. Wood is pretty and warm and all of that, but I am rather hard on equipment and wood looks like it after a few seasons. If you hunt long and hard, and do not want to have to worry about scratching or nicking your gun go with plastic.

November 16, 2002, 04:49 AM	#14
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	I can't help but think about everybody's granpappy and associated shotgunning activities of yesteryear...all wood, and (I assume, I wasn't there) no complaints about weather's assault on walnut hardware... __________________ I knew Thomas Jefferson, he was a friend of mine...Governor Clinton, you're no Thomas Jefferson Ti faccio vedere come muore un italiano

November 16, 2002, 12:50 PM	#15
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Wood, but not by a large margin. Each has its uses, and plastic stuff is quite durable. Wood is easier to modify, for those of us that do not fit factory stocks. Ideally, my target guns would have scrumptious wood, and my waterfowlers with Mattel stocks. In between is well, in between.

November 16, 2002, 01:10 PM	#16
KSFreeman Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2001 Location: Lafayette, Indiana--American-occupied America Posts: 5,418	I want it tough. The proper test for any weapon is for it to function without fail after beating it with a 23 oz. framing hammer for 5 minutes. Synthetic for me, please. __________________ "Arguments of policy must give way to a constitutional command." Payton v. New York, 445 U.S. 573, 602 (1980).

November 16, 2002, 04:24 PM	#17
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 1,819	Wood percieved recoil seems less easier to modify for fit has character __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

November 16, 2002, 07:41 PM	#18
Peetmoss Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2002 Location: CNY Posts: 144	Either wood or plastic is fine by me. A field gun shouldn't look pretty it should be functional. If it's too pretty you just might be afraid to take it out and use it. __________________ [email protected] Who's got a Mop

November 16, 2002, 08:17 PM	#19
Ewok_Guy Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2001 Location: Endor Posts: 1,664	Synthetic. Wood is ugly. __________________ "Death and honor are thought to be the same, but today I have learned that sometimes they are not." --------------------- " I like big fat men like you. When they fall they make more noise! ...and sometimes they never get up." -Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez

November 16, 2002, 09:42 PM	#20
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	I have never broken or seen a plastic stock break, I have broken wood stocks, and seen some others broken. On a business gun I want plastic.

November 17, 2002, 12:38 AM	#21
youngun Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2001 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 324	It's not like the synthetic aftermarkets are that expenseive. Buy wood, then get the ugly one for the w/e excursions. For the home, give me a nice Wingmaster, sawed-off, extended tube. Classy dangerous. __________________ New firing pin: $12. New extractor: $15. Ballistic fingerprinting: worthless.

November 17, 2002, 10:57 AM	#22
eap Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2002 Posts: 129	prefer wood. synthetic is more durable.

November 17, 2002, 12:13 PM	#23
Redlg155 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2001 Location: NW Florida Posts: 2,307	I prefer wood on my personal shotguns. The extra weight helps soak up recoil and bit and is "warmer" during those cold days in the woods. During qualifications I'm the first one to run for a wood stocked shotgun! Now on a rifle I want synthetic if I'm going to hunt with it. You don't have any worries about the change in the stock affecting your point of impact with a shotgun, with a rifle there is a definite possibility if the weather is really bad. Good Shooting RED

November 17, 2002, 12:44 PM	#24
kahrma Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2002 Location: The jungle Posts: 369	Synthetic. Wood looks old time and ugly. __________________ Hee Yaaa! Karate chop!

November 18, 2002, 04:13 PM	#25
gipper Junior Member Join Date: November 15, 2002 Posts: 8	I went out gunshopping the other day, and I figured out the differnce in the stock patterns. thanks for the help K80Geoff. I see the difference between the rings and the checkers. It looks like I've found a remington 1100 with wood stock and I guess I'll just shoot it as is until I decide I want to try it differently. thanks for the help. I'll check back if anyone has anything else to add.