Help LS Wild design the new stock!

[Schmo]

. If y'all can successfully run a business by selling only to the people who will pay $1000 for a rough 2x4 with "proper" design, more power to ya. (I exaggerate for effect, but you get where I'm going?)

It won’t be a 2x4. I already addressed that. The last pics I posted are literally only the second rough model from the CAD guy. To this point, we have been focusing on grip, comb, and toe. We will address the forend. And it won’t be anywhere near $1,000

 

[naked wombats]

This is wood, so just tool paths not molds.

Do the inexpensive DIY-friendly market-hole-filling version first (but stop short of insulting customers with a 2x4 foreend). Then do a best-guess moderately finished SKU as a second act.

It's just software.

-J

I think @NSI has the right idea here.

A bunch of the group of folks willing to test different stocks, chamberings, barrel lengths etc are also likely not intimidated to tweak or modify an inexpensive but potentially awesome laminate stock.

If the price was right, and it came looking like a 2x4, if it performed well, out comes the grinder and flap wheel followed by an orbital until it was how I wanted it for contour and lengths.

Another subset will want something 100% ready to go with studs, swivels, rails and also looking pretty.

 

[OneGunTex]

(I exaggerate for effect, but you get where I'm going?)

It won’t be a 2x4. I already addressed that. The last pics I posted are literally only the second rough model from the CAD guy. To this point, we have been focusing on grip, comb, and toe. We will address the forend. And it won’t be anywhere near $1,000

Clearly you don't get where I'm going, but that's okay. I might buy your stock anyway. Time will tell if I see the value proposition.

 

[glock233]

Just remember as you guys get kicked around, only negative feedback matters for really helping you forward.

 

[Bluumoon]

One more thing, as someone relatively uneducated, I'm somewhat suspect of the phrase "proper" design. 150 years of rifles and for some reason 90% of them look the same and voila in your Edison-like genius you (and UM) found the One True Stock! Which is why I keep saying, convince me that this design is so good that the shape itself is worth more than any other laminate stock on the market.
I mock, don't take it the wrong way, but again I don't think I'm that unusual even for your average RS reader.

I would say the answer (as Form demonstrated w the Rokstok) is to put a camera on the scope and record view during shots to see how much reticle moves stock to stock if you want to know why one design over another is superior. Beyond that grab the stock and see how repeatable your grip/trigger pull is (and how much reticle moves during trigger pull) and are you able to get behind the rifle eyes closed and open them with a perfect view (repeatable index) from different shooting positions.

I would consider the above “measurables” after that are the refinements and adjustments to desired appearance/attachments/shooting sport come into play.

 

[TX_Mike D.]

On that, I agree completely.

There’s definitely a niche to be filled between a $2200 wooden Rokstok, an $800 Woox that is what it is, and a Boyd’s stock that isn’t well-designed. I would be shocked if you could not make a decent profit selling the “nice-to-haves” version of this stock for $600-800 and the bare essentials version for $400-500.

Remember that when you talk about increasing cost and lead time, that the customer who wants what he wants is still going to have to pay more and have it take longer to get what he wants. I factor that extra time and money into my decision to purchase something in the first place.

I generally agree with this. If possible is there a middle ground where someone could buy an “off the shelf” stock with no upgrades that will ship quickly at a lower price point and have options that can be added on for increased cost and lead time.

Those logistics could easily become overwhelming with too many customization options, but I would think (and could easily be wrong) that something like QD cups would be a pretty simple installation if some standard locations are options.

 

[bielenbm]

I’ve built a few stocks for buddies and myself in the last 6 months. While adding QD cups, rails, and studs isn’t hard it will add more time, work, protection headaches for you guys. The more options there are, the more chances of order mistakes. I’d just keep it simple. Get the stock shape how 99% would like it and send it!

 

[nm.otter]

Get the basics right and figure out how to make and sell them.

Finer points can be aftermarket initially -- consider bringing those in house once they make financial sense.