Which wood for a rifle stock?

KCabbage · June 18, 2008, 12:00 PM

Greetings.
Thank you for checking this out.
I am thinking about making a forearm for a rifle of mine. What wood is most resistant to fire and water? Could I just use any wood and use a paint that is fire/water resistant?
I appreciate your help!
Take care

James K · June 18, 2008, 12:18 PM

For wood, it is hard to beat the old favorite, walnut. But if the rifle will be subject to heavy moisture, a polymer stock would be better if any is available for that rifle. I know of no material suitable to a rifle stock that would be unaffected by fire.

It might help to know what kind of rifle it is to see what is available.

Jim

Scorch · June 18, 2008, 12:33 PM

As Jim stated, walnut is the usual wood of choice, it is easy to work yet strong and relatively lightweight. Maple is also a common choice, but is more difficult to work with. If you want something more exotic or different, many stockmakers offer unusual woods to make stocks or forearms.

KCabbage · June 18, 2008, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the help!
It is for a AK. the handguard area can get a little toasty.

Scorch · June 18, 2008, 06:49 PM

There are numerous sites that sell stocks and forearms for AKs, and many of the forearms have heat shields built into them.

James K · June 18, 2008, 08:50 PM

I was puzzled by the reference to fire - didn't think of a hot barrel. Scorch is correct.

Jim

KCabbage · June 18, 2008, 09:22 PM

Thanks guys.
It's not the wood stocks that bother me, it's the metal pieces that hold them on. They get so hot and it's fairly easy to accidently touch them.
I want to make my own guards that cover those metal areas.
As far as buying already made guards, I have not yet come across any that meet my needs and I have seen quite a few.
The top guard will be a challenge since it needs to be rotated on, but hopefully I can get er' done.
Finding the right paint will be my second challenge. It needs to be heat/water proof yet safe to handle.
Take care guys

June 18, 2008, 12:00 PM	#1
KCabbage Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2007 Posts: 707	Which wood for a rifle stock? Greetings. Thank you for checking this out. I am thinking about making a forearm for a rifle of mine. What wood is most resistant to fire and water? Could I just use any wood and use a paint that is fire/water resistant? I appreciate your help! Take care

June 18, 2008, 12:33 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	As Jim stated, walnut is the usual wood of choice, it is easy to work yet strong and relatively lightweight. Maple is also a common choice, but is more difficult to work with. If you want something more exotic or different, many stockmakers offer unusual woods to make stocks or forearms. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 18, 2008, 06:49 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	There are numerous sites that sell stocks and forearms for AKs, and many of the forearms have heat shields built into them. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 18, 2008, 12:18 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	For wood, it is hard to beat the old favorite, walnut. But if the rifle will be subject to heavy moisture, a polymer stock would be better if any is available for that rifle. I know of no material suitable to a rifle stock that would be unaffected by fire. It might help to know what kind of rifle it is to see what is available. Jim

June 18, 2008, 12:34 PM	#4
KCabbage Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2007 Posts: 707	Thanks for the help! It is for a AK. the handguard area can get a little toasty.

June 18, 2008, 08:50 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I was puzzled by the reference to fire - didn't think of a hot barrel. Scorch is correct. Jim

June 18, 2008, 09:22 PM	#7
KCabbage Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2007 Posts: 707	Thanks guys. It's not the wood stocks that bother me, it's the metal pieces that hold them on. They get so hot and it's fairly easy to accidently touch them. I want to make my own guards that cover those metal areas. As far as buying already made guards, I have not yet come across any that meet my needs and I have seen quite a few. The top guard will be a challenge since it needs to be rotated on, but hopefully I can get er' done. Finding the right paint will be my second challenge. It needs to be heat/water proof yet safe to handle. Take care guys