Stocky’s Howa Mini VG- is this normal?

[MT_Fin]

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.

I did this morning, was offered replacement stock or small partial refund.

 

[JPW13]

I did this morning, was offered replacement stock or small partial refund.

Did they give any idea of timeline? I waited a looooong time for mine and what arrived was much like yours (and was the wrong inlet...) The retailer helped me out, but the next one they received was even worse. I have a VG that makes me question why my manners was 3 times as much - but these last two are seriously bad.

 

[MT_Fin]

Did they give any idea of timeline? I waited a looooong time for mine and what arrived was much like yours (and was the wrong inlet...) The retailer helped me out, but the next one they received was even worse. I have a VG that makes me question why my manners was 3 times as much - but these last two are seriously bad.

No, they just said swapped out. I took the partial refund and will use this one.

 

[Mattedhead]

I received my Howa mini vg-heavy barrel stock this week. It’s painted and does not show the same amount of cosmetic issues as yours, BUT it seems to have more serious issues. When dry fit and when torqued, the barrel is cranked up against the barrel channel on the left side. The bottom metal inlet is also not true from horizontal to vertical and the BM sits cocked up a bit on one side. I somewhat expected cosmetic issues and some minor fit issues. I assumed I would need to sand to fully float the barrel and was prepared for that and to do some bedding, but this seems excessive.

I’m going to reach out to them, but wanted a consensus opinion. Are everyone else’s barreled actions at least sitting in the center of the barrel channel? Or is this common? I’m trying to determine if I have any reasonable expectation that a replacement stock would be any better.