Stocky’s Howa Mini VG- is this normal?

[MT_Fin]

I don’t have a ton of carbon stock experience, so not sure where this falls on the normal “less than perfect QC from Stockys” that I have read about. I recently found a VG in stock for the Howa Mini BA that FedEx keeps delaying delivery of. It came in yesterday and just got around to messing with it.

I really like the shape, weight, even color of the stock but it has a bunch of imperfections. I’m more function over form, and it’ll get plenty of marks from use, maybe even some bear blood on it if I’m lucky in a couple months…… BUT, even with the RS discount code which I greatly appreciate, it seems like a lot of money for this level of finish.

So, for those with more experience, is this a normal level or is it more like it should have been a blem? Just trying to set my baseline for future stock purchases.

Feel free to tell me to shut up and shoot it if that’s more appropriate…….. Although my BA, scope, rings, bases, and ammo are still in route so may be a bit challenging!

 

[waspocrew]

I'd send the pics to Stocky's and see what they have to say about the quality. I wouldn't mind a few marks here and there (my VG had a few marks), but the glue from the recoil pad looks like shit. It's definitely functional, but doesn't hurt to ask. They might swap you out for one with a better finish.

 

[IDVortex]

Imma tell you to shut up, only for the fact your the reason I'm now waiting 6-8 weeks for mine.

I bought the heavy barrel howa mini, ill be very curious to see the QC of the stock due to the amount of reading of the qc issues, I expect I'll be sanding the stock for my barrel.

Sadly, from what I gathered, we don't have any other options for a lightweight stock.

This is the first time I've ever spent this kind of money for a gun accessory besides a scope, so hoping I'm not super disappointed.

 

[Qholum37]

I ordered a blem stock from them a couple years ago that I couldn’t find any imperfections on, it looked nothing like that. I would definitely reach out to them.

 

[MT_Fin]

Imma tell you to shut up, only for the fact your the reason I'm now waiting 6-8 weeks for mine.

I bought the heavy barrel howa mini, ill be very curious to see the QC of the stock due to the amount of reading of the qc issues, I expect I'll be sanding the stock for my barrel.

Sadly, from what I gathered, we don't have any other options for a lightweight stock.

This is the first time I've ever spent this kind of money for a gun accessory besides a scope, so hoping I'm not super disappointed.

My bad, my bad…….. same here, I took the plunge, like the function, disappointed with the form.

 

[IDVortex]

My bad, my bad…….. same here, I took the plunge, like the function, disappointed with the form.

I actually thought of seeing if I could get a unfinished one, and just have UM or a local Cerakot shop near me do a paint job on it. Just for the thought of having a nicer finished product. But, also have to realize, I'm not taking this to prom, and function and fit needs to be more important than the look.

 

[hereinaz]

Just me personally, but I wouldn’t care if it is cosmetic…

Professionally, that is not something I would want to send out. Give Stocky’s a call.

 

[Qholum37]

I would think they would refund some funds as if it was a blem stock. I wonder if the rokslide code works on top of a blem stock? That could be super cheap!

 

[packer58]

I would send them the pics and see how willing they are to work with you, The problem with accepting substandard quality is that substandard quality becomes the norm. You paid damn good money for a stock that looks like a 3 year old glued on the pad and was delivered in the back of a pick-up ........... The consumer should be putting on the battle scars ....... not the manufacturer ...

 

[Gstew1930]

I just got my HB stock. I had to sand down the barrel channel. The stock was touching alot of the barrel

 

[General RE LEE]

B&C M40 or Sporter stock.

$360

Love my M40.

 

[braydencase7]

Id be pretty disappointed if it were me, that price tag for what looks like a used stock

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

 

[Cantharellus]

I got a bare carbon VG for my Howa mini and it didn't look too bad. I didn't go over it very carefully, but there were maybe a couple little spots which I was expecting with bare carbon. I did have to sand the barrel channel a ton to get a free float.

 

[Tanner]

The recoil pad epoxy would kinda bug me, but the rest wouldn’t as it’s going to look worse than that the first time it rides in the truck and goes on a hunt…

 

[JCMCUBIC]

I would just use it. That said, it should be a second. I'd have no issue with someone wanting to return it, exchange it, beech about it, etc. If folks don't do that, Stockys will continue to send those out as firsts.

I've received seconds from Stockys I could find no issue with. I've received firsts from Stockys that had issues. As long as structural integrity and functionality is there, it's less effort for me to sand the barrel channel to fit, fill/sand surface imperfections and repaint, etc, than it is for me to go through the process of calling, returning, waiting on a replacement, etc.

...BUT...FOLKS DOING LIKE ME, ACCEPTING THE STOCK AND FIXING THEMSELVES RATHER THAN LETTING STOCKYS KNOW, ARE THE REASON FOR THE LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL... I have to acknowledge that and accept some of the blame.

 

[MT_Fin]

Thanks all, I appreciate the input. I have no problem using it as is, it’ll get beat up from use anyway. If it was a factory second , and purchased as such, I wouldn’t bat an eye.

 

[TxLite]

Thanks all, I appreciate the input. I have no problem using it as is, it’ll get beat up from use anyway. If it was a factory second , and purchased as such, I wouldn’t bat an eye.

They seem to have had a trend lately of selling blems at full price

 

[huntsman22]

They're pretty good at making blems...

 

[sndmn11]

I actually thought of seeing if I could get a unfinished one, and just have UM or a local Cerakot shop near me do a paint job on it. Just for the thought of having a nicer finished product. But, also have to realize, I'm not taking this to prom, and function and fit needs to be more important than the look.

We got blems and airbrushed some duracoat on them. It definitely gave some tack and texture, and "custom" style.

 

[sndmn11]

Thanks all, I appreciate the input. I have no problem using it as is, it’ll get beat up from use anyway. If it was a factory second , and purchased as such, I wouldn’t bat an eye.

I'd send Kim @Stockys an email with the pics asking about it, it couldn't hurt. In my opinion a lot of what you have shown could and should have been covered up by their paint. If it happened after paint it then maybe that is after the point they determine blem or full price.