FT: Made to Measure

I am a big fan of custom stocks, as I like the individuality it gives me. Being easily confused, the thought of looking along the firing line, and trying to identify my FTP 900 (if I owned one), that looked like all the others, would horrify me! Granted, not everyone likes to be different, but look at this year’s fashion accessory, the Anschutz 9015, and from gun to gun you will see little differences between the various ones in use by the herds that have rushed out and bought them, the main difference being the design of furniture.

Master of the art

When it comes to custom stocks, there is no one better than Gary Cane. I have used many others, and the old saying is true, that you get what you pay for! I have paid a lot! I am now on my fourth Cane design and possibly heading for no 5! A fully adjustable, laminate FT handle from Gary Cane costs about £800 - £1000, with high Gloss finish. But re-sale is about £500, so you can keep the cost down. So what have I got wrong that means it may take over £4000 to get the right one? Well, in truth, nothing really! Gary takes a tracing of your hand and measurements from elbow to index finger and produces a stock to fit you, but it’s the little differences that matter!

When I ordered my first in Jacaranda, I went against Gary’s advice, and had it made about 2” shorter than he recommended. It seemed not to matter when I first received it, as it was like Christmas; in fact, it was early December! I loved it, from the new smell when you open the box, to the final fit, my EV2 was transformed. Results improved, and I was very happy until #2 (black and grey) turned up! Full length, it came in a satin finish and in truth, I was really disappointed when I opened the box. It felt like £750 (at the time) wasted. Luckily, Justin Wood stepped in and said if I tried it and liked it he would get it glossed for me. I think he was hoping I would not like it! But I tried it, and loved it, so duly had it glossed. It was the feel that really did it for me though.

Measuring as carefully as I could, it seemed to be about 1 mm wider. Hardly anything to note you would think but this one just sat better in my hands and is the stock that helped me to 3rd in the worlds in 2012!

Onwards & upwards

So #1 went up for sale and #3 was ordered. This time though, I went to Warren Edwards and his design came out nicely over sized and just seemed to fit me better. More importantly, it was green and black! No one was using a green and black stock at the time, so spotting where I had left the gun along a firing line was easier! Relief! No #3 was heavier too, as it was deeper and wider than either #1 or 2, only by 5mm but that made a huge difference to how the gun sat and felt in my hands. In other words it was much more suited to my oversized frame!

So #2 was put up for sale and #4 was ordered from Gary Cane. Back to Jacaranda, but this time over sized and 5mm wider than #2. Indeed, #4 is probably the best stock I have ever owned. The thumb groove was deeper and wider than previous designs, and the palm shelf wider; little differences that makes the fit and feel much better. The colours were deeper and it just looked stunning. About the only thing I did not like was the slightly squared off front end. It was heavier, but for FT, that was not a problem. In fact, it seemed to help; as yet again Gary had the balance absolutely spot on. So #4 stock became my favourite and of course, #3 was up for sale to fund #5 from Gary! By now, he also had green and black laminate available, so it was promptly ordered!

Firm favourite

Duly #5 stock arrived and I just fell in love! The deep green and black colours are stunning. Who cares if it doesn’t fit me! Initially, it seemed the stock was perfect. It’s about a 1/4lb lighter than the oversized #4, balance is superb, but it’s still not quite right in a couple of areas. I now know I want the pistol grip offset about 15mm right of normal, but this stock is designed with about 5mm! The two upright thumb positions still don’t quite seem right for me, and the front end is too shallow. But I still shoot well enough with it and love using it. I just think I would love it more if it had a bit more depth to the front end and the pistol grip was more offset.

Steyr users, like former World champion John Costello, have been using them for a while, and last year, even Luddite Andy Calpin ditched his slightly modified EV2 stock, and went offset with the FTP. I have tried Andy’s offset stock and it does feel as if we have all been using the wrong shape stock, forever!

So, #6 stock from Gary could well be an offset pistol grip stock design! So, am I too fussy, or just can’t see the wood for the trees?