[SHOT 2017] The New Stuff from Manners Stocks

With the rising popularity of the Precision Rifles Series (PRS) and the expansion of the precision rifle market as a whole, we are seeing big advances in equipment for the sport. Long known as a top of the line rifle stock manufacturer, Manners Stocks has made some big changes in their product line recently and as they move into 2017. With the addition of a platinum series of stocks, 4 new models, new competition mini chassis, as well as competition based barrier support system, the future looks bright for precision rifle shooters.

SHOT Show 2017: The New Stuff from Manners Stocks

Platinum Series

The new platinum series of stocks is based around a new process of a true molded-in-action and barrel channel area. This makes the stock incredibly stiff and strong. Because of the new process, the first stocks available are 2 to 3 ounces lighter than the same stocks manufactured in their standard elite series.

New Stocks: PRS 1 and PRS 2

In 2016, Manners Stocks were being run by approximately 30 percent of the shooters in the PRS series. That's twice the amount of any other manufacturer, and is a testament to Manners quality. Stepping their game up even further, Manners has released their MCS-PRS1 and PRS2 rifles stocks. These stocks are developed and designed specifically for competition within the Precision Rifle Series. The design of the stock imitates that of an I-beam for greatly increased strength and stiffness. With much PRS shooting done from non-standard supported positions, off barricades or natural barriers, the PRS1 and PRS2 are designed with wide, flat bottoms for increased surface area and stability. The flat bottom is perfect whether you lay the stock directly on the barricade or use some type of shooting bag in between.

Design features offer a number other advantages:

•The vertical sides also offer great support for running up against the corner of a shoot house window, trunk of a tree or a fence post; it's also an excellent place to clamp in a hog saddle or similar tripod mount. (The rounded edges of a typical rifle stock, while comfortable for offhand unsupported shooting don’t offer nearly as much support for non-standard supported positions.)

•The forend is very shallow, allowing for ease of fitment into the barricade ports and small windows frequently found in PRS matches.

•The vertical angle of the grip with enlarged palm swell puts your finger in a an excellent position for proper alignment on the trigger shoe.

Both stocks come standard with an adjustable cheek piece and KMW cheek hardware; the biggest difference between them can be found in the butt section. There the PRS1 has a hook for the shooter to control the rifle or for those who prefer the flatter bottom for their rear bag, and the PRS2 does not. Both stocks can be ordered in either the elite carbon or new platinum layup process. In the end, these purpose built PRS Competition stocks are a really solid option for those picking parts for their next rifle build.

And Another New Stock: MCS-EH6A

For those shooters who may be looking for a smaller more traditional or hunting styled stock designed specifically to accept a carbon wrapped barrel, the new MCS-EH6A may be just what you are looking for. Standard with an adjustable cheek piece and a widened frond to accept a PROOF Research barrel. Because of its carbon fiber construction, the stock comes in at a dainty 2.4 lbs, and that includes the adjustable cheek piece hardware. This makes it perfect for a hunting or general purpose rifle where reduced weight is important.

Yet Another New Stock: MCS-LRT

The last new stock for 2017 is one made for throwing large projectiles a very long way. The MCS-LRT, or Long Range Tactical, is a big bore rifle stock designed specifically for the King of Two Miles competition. It is offered in two versions, one for actions up to 1.6 in. and the other for 2 in. 50bmg/416 actions. Offered with adjustable an adjustable cheek piece, the MCS-LRT is 7 to 8in. longer than most traditional rifle stocks, allowing for much better balance with the longer barrels required for the big bore extreme long range

Barricade Stop and Chassis System: MCS-COMP Mini Chassis

When shooting a bolt action rifle off of some type of nonstandard support such as a barricade, rock, tree, or car door, most shooters have a tendency to run the rifle along the barricade until they are putting pressure against the front of the magazine. This technique increases contact the rifle has with the barricade and by doing so makes the rifle more stable. However, this pressure on the magazine can also cause the rifle to have feeding issues or other malfunctions because it changes the angle at which the round is fed from the magazine into the chamber. Manners’ new MCS-COMP Mini Chassis addresses this issue.

Offered in two versions for both short and long action receivers, the first style is the same length as a standard detachable bottom metal type, but with a magazine well that protrudes from the bottom of the stock. This extension gives you about a 1 in. long surface before hitting the magazine. The extended magazine well should work, but on more rounded surfaces a shooter could still find pressure is applied to the magazine. If that is the case, another option is an extended mini chassis allowing for the attachment of accessories in front of the magazine well. Currently Manners produces an extended barricade stop double the size of the the extended magazine well and 2 in. forward of the mag. The front of the barricade stop is rounded to assist in panning while shooting moving targets, and is easily removable.

With competitions becoming more and more standardized and the PRS requiring every sanctioned match to contain specific skill stages, modular chassis systems have been gaining in popularity. These chassis allow for the easy connection of things such as adjustable barricade stops, tripod adapters, or bipods in various positions along the bottom to adapt to different situational requirements. With this advantage, chassis systems have been gaining ground in completion with more and more seen at every match. One of the most popular is one designed and manufactured by Masterpiece Arms (MPA).

Stock/Chassis Love Child: Manners-MPA Mongrel

Manners stocks has worked in conjunction with MPA to develop a rifle stock/chassis love child. It consists of a Manners stock and a MPA barricade stop system bedded into the fore end. This combination offers people who prefer a fiberglass or carbon fiber stock many of the same benefits that an aluminum chassis system provides. With a billet aluminum barricade ramp in front of the magwell and an adjustable barricade stop, it allows the shooter to adjust the the rifle stock to fit many popular competition barricades, or for that matter most anything else one might need to shoot from (fence, truck bed, etc.) By adjusting the stop to just smaller than the width of the barricade, the shooter is then able to leverage the front stop and put pressure into the ramp. This creates nearly prone-like stability. Having seen it personally in practice at numerous PRS matches on competitors rifles, we can attest the MPA barricade system works, and works really well.

One of the biggest growing sections of the firearms industry is the precision rifle market. With the growth of the PRS, and the development and increased popularity of the 6 and 6.5mm cartridges, the entire industry will need to stay on their toes to keep up with customer demands.

Manners stocks has long been a staple the precision rifle world. It's good to see them continue developing new products and processes.

Manners stocks are well worth a hard look.

For more information please visit: https://mannersstocks.com or http://masterpiecearms.com.

This has been a special SHOT Show installment of Industry News. It is not a review nor an endorsement.

What is the NSSF SHOT Show?

The NSSF SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show) and Conference is an annual event held by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Typically attended by thousands of people from all 50 states and over a hundred countries, it is (quite rightfully) described as the “…world's premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics, and related products and services.

Imagine the Worlds' Fair, but packed with everything from mini-guns and every breed of body armor, bows and boots; from eye pro and ear pro to optics and ordnance, socks to swords…you get the idea. If you'd like to see a sampling of the companies who will be showing at this year's SHOT, there's a live map right here, though it doesn't reflect the organizations set up elsewhere, in hotel suites, etc

View imagery from our coverage of last year's SHOT Show here; 2015's is right here.

SHOT 2017 Schedule

January 15 — Special invite-only events; Veterans Training Fund/Wishes for Warriors at The Ranch, SIG Sauer Range Day, and others
January 16 — Media on the Range, Boulder City Rifle & Pistol Club
January 17 — 20, 2016

Sands Expo and Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours
Tuesday, January 17 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 18 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 19 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday, January 20 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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