Manners T4A or McMillan A5

[vereceleritas]

Leaning heavily towards the Manners especially with their new molded in colors but I really like the marble colors option with the McMillan. Prices are similar when spec'd the same. The stock will be used on a GAP built FN SPR. Any suggestions?

[mark5pt56]

Is the manners Mini Chassis available for the FN? If you are going to have detatchable bottom metal, that may be a better and cheaper option. There's no charge to add it when ordering the stock and I would say it may be a stronger system. Also, that saves the cost of inletting down the road and if not done right will look like crap and not work well.

[hozer]

Manners without a doubt.

[JStor]

I have 3 McMillan A5s with the molded in color and standard comb. Two are the McSwirly style colors and the other is a Campfire Camo...Winchester 70 heavy barrels, of course.

On the A5, I like the wide flat fore-end and the contours of the pistol grip. They work well. Originally, I wanted an A5 stock without the rear butt hook, but after owning them for quite awhile, I've found myself using the hook.

I have been eyeballing the Manners stocks, and I'm wishing I could try a couple. I can not give a fair comparison, though, as all my fiberglass is McMillan.

[JStor]

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x180/MStor/close-up.jpg

Model 70, McMillan A5 with 50% black, 25% olive, 25% light gray.

[javentre]

I have a T4 and an A5, I prefer the T4.

[vereceleritas]

That's a sweet looking stock JStor. I had a similar marble in mind except I would replace the light gray with light tan.

As far as I know the Manners mini-chassis is only for M700's and actions with a similar footprint/inlet.

Any word on the current lead time for an A5?

[crossgun]

Believe it or not I just got my last A5 in about 9 weeks! I was in shock as it has typically been taking 12 weeks.

Your going to be waiting a long time for the new gel coat stocks from Manners but it might be worth the wait. They have a list and are not going to start production till end of month. I have a Manners and a ton of A5s while also owning an A4 and a few A3s. The deal breaker for me has always been the gel coat. The Manners are great stocks but like you I like the gels. Manners may just be changing the game with the new finish.

Something to consider if your going to go the A5 route is to order it with or inlet for the Terry Cross KMW adjustable cheek piece hardware. The McMillan adjustables suck in my opion and I only use the KMW now. Manners uses the KMW on all their adjustables. You will have to send the stock to Terry Cross once you get it to have him install the hardware $125 but well worth it.

Bottom line is that you cant go wrong with either stock. The manners gel coat will be worth the wait and Tom Manners is a great guy and their service is the best.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I would go with Manners. Tom Manners is a great guy to deal with here is the stock he built for me and a comparison or my FN in a McMillan and my M98 in a McMillan.

McMillan Classic FN
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn119/ICANHITHIMMAN/generatorligt057.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn119/ICANHITHIMMAN/generatorligt055.jpg
McMillan MCHALE M98
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn119/ICANHITHIMMAN/PA210255.jpg
Manners MCST HOWA
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn119/ICANHITHIMMAN/Picture059.jpg

[JStor]

Here's a Winchester 70 Heavy Varmint in .223 Rem. and A5 with molded in Campfire Camo. It's a tack driver.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x180/MStor/DSCF0008.jpg

[Alpha Sierra]

Manners MCST HOWA
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn119/ICANHITHIMMAN/Picture059.jpg
Sweeeeeeet

I am waiting for the same stock for my 1500. Should be here in mid February.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Sweeeeeeet

I am waiting for the same stock for my 1500. Should be here in mid February.

I love it and Tom was a hell of a nice guy to deal with! I will buy another one of his stocks in the future. I am geting another MCST for my scout rifle and maybe a T5 for my 338 EDGE.

MANNERS is the way to go!

[mark5pt56]

Those are some serious and outstanding looking sticks!

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Those are some serious and outstanding looking sticks!

Thanks I put in alot of time with them learning and changing my thoughts on what a precsion rifle should be. They are my hunting rifles.

[long-shot]

I'm a big fan of Mcmillan stocks. I've owned A4's, A5's, HTG (A1) and have shot their entire tactical line. I have also shot Tom's stocks. I have been to Tom's shop and seen how he builds them. Manners makes a stronger stock, but this likely wont matter to anyone who doesn't run their truck over their rifle frequently. The molded in colors are better with Mcmillan. The delivery time frame is better with Manners.

I would like to run a Manners T5A for my next stock but I will likely just stick with my A5 when I rebarrel my .308.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w74/long-shot_photos/DSCN0237.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w74/long-shot_photos/IMG_2352.jpg

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I'm a big fan of Mcmillan stocks. I've owned A4's, A5's, HTG (A1) and have shot their entire tactical line. I have also shot Tom's stocks. I have been to Tom's shop and seen how he builds them. Manners makes a stronger stock, but this likely wont matter to anyone who doesn't run their truck over their rifle frequently. The molded in colors are better with Mcmillan. The delivery time frame is better with Manners.

I would like to run a Manners T5A for my next stock but I will likely just stick with my A5 when I rebarrel my .308.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w74/long-shot_photos/DSCN0237.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w74/long-shot_photos/IMG_2352.jpg

Nothing wrong with the A5 but everything you said is true in my experence as well with Manners. Best this about these stocks is they hold their value you could sell it for what you paid for it just beacuse of the wait times.

[maximus83]

Great thread, really timely information from me and useful to learn from others' experiences. I'm on the verge of ordering a stock for my SPS Tac (replacing that cheapo Hogue), and have been eying a Manners setup with the new mini chassis for bottom metal. But wondering how they stacked up to McMillan since I've never owned either brand. Good to hear that many have had positive experiences with Manners.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I will be a Manners man for ever they are better than Mcmillan IMO

[vereceleritas]

Thanks for all the input and pictures everyone. Decided to go with the Manners T4A.

[jsbsmarine]

Most importantly,
get some trigger time/fondling behind both stocks. That wil help make your decision.

Don't matter how good or bad somehting is until you feel it for yourself and find out it looks great but feels like ass. Or vice versa.
I had the experience with AI stocks. They just don't feel right to me, but damn they look sweet.

[long-shot]

Most importantly,
get some trigger time/fondling behind both stocks. That wil help make your decision.

Don't matter how good or bad somehting is until you feel it for yourself and find out it looks great but feels like ass. Or vice versa.
I had the experience with AI stocks. They just don't feel right to me, but damn they look sweet.

Absolutely agree! When I switched to my A5 I was coming from the AICS platform. I went into GA Precision and they let me handle every tactical stock McMillan made at the time. Tom's shop wasn't up and running yet although ironically I was in his shop at the time so his weren't an option.

[JB326]

+1 more for Manners. I have a T4 on a Remington 700, and it is a dream to shoot. I have shot a few McMillans, but I prefer the Manners hands down.

[feedthemlead]

I just got into the McMillan A5 and so far it has been great.

http://i51.tinypic.com/2aez0i9.jpg

[ccoker]

I have a Manners MCS-T coming, hopefully today for my LTR