McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

Lexington

Lexington

Just Some Guy
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 15, 2005
195
10
Spotsylvania, Virginia
#1
I have McMillan stocks with the saddle cheek rest. They loosen with cheek pressure and recoil. I know that set screws on the opposite side are recommended.

Between the thumbwheel and the clamp bar, which is the most stable under cheek pressure and recoil?
 
#2
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

For the price of the stocks, I'd call McMillan and ask them to fix it. I'm not kidding. These premium makers back their products. It is why we pay what we do for them.

From their web site:

"AS YOU READ THIS, SOMEWHERE AROUND THE WORLD SOMEONE IS PUTTING OUR STOCK'S REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE TO THE TEST"
 
#3
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

I'm interested to hear what people think on this one. I have been waiting on my McMillan stock to come in for 6 months now today. I ordered the saddle cheek rest.
 
#4
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

The clamp bar will offer more stability for a longer period of time in my opinion. Both are made out of aluminum but the thumbwheel mechanism will wear out at a quicker rate than the clamp bar. Call Ken @ GAP, he'll tell you the same thing - that's who told me!
 
#5
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

I've got several McMillans and prefer the saddle type cheek rest. I had issues with the first saddle type rest I purchased from them, called them and they said "send it back, we'll fix it". In talking with them they mentioned the set screws on the opposite side.. I decided to try the set screws before I sent it back and haven't had a problem since. Put the set screws on both sides and you'll be happy.
 
#6
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

I would only buy the KMW Loggerhead hardware. It is a much cleaner system, nothing sticking out the side. And it never gets loose, never.

McM will inlet for it, at no extra charge.

s
 
#7
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SnkBit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got several McMillans and prefer the saddle type cheek rest. I had issues with the first saddle type rest I purchased from them, called them and they said "send it back, we'll fix it". In talking with them they mentioned the set screws on the opposite side.. I decided to try the set screws before I sent it back and haven't had a problem since. Put the set screws on both sides and you'll be happy. </div></div>

The thing is, I have a plain standard A3 stock that I'd like to have converted to an A3 with a cheek piece. Thus my question about thumbwheel and clamp bar. I am going to abandon my A4 stock because it is flat on the bottom and finicky with any rear bag other than a wedge. The underside of an A3 is an incline that will ride a round rear bag and have a full range of adjustment by moving the bag a little fore and aft.

I'll keep my A5 with saddle cheek piece and add the set screws.
 
#8
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: c1steve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would only buy the KMW Loggerhead hardware. It is a much cleaner system, nothing sticking out the side. And it never gets loose, never.

McM will inlet for it, at no extra charge.

s </div></div>

Never heard of the Loggerhead but just checked it out online. That looks stout. I also found a thread here on the Hide of a guy who will do retrofits for it.

Does anybody have close-up pics of the McMillan clamp bar system for comparison?
 
#10
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

MacMillan will stand behind their stock. A cheek rest that is not stable is a problem. No grey area. That's -the- reason you went with an adjustable stock. It's bs imo that you need a 3rd party modification for the premium stock maker's product. Do they advertise an unstable cheek piece? No

 
#11
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

Of course they don't advertise an unstable cheek piece, but they do recognize the deficiencies of the original design. Recommendation to add set screws is here: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...931#Post2995931

I suppose a new clamp bar system in my old A4 stock would cost me some bucks. At this point I am still intent on modifying my fixed-stock A3 am I'm just weighing options for the solution. I would like to see photos of the McM clamp bar so I can compare it to the KMW. I could also just sell the A3 as is and buy one manufactured the way I want it. Cost will be the deciding factor there.
 
#12
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: c1steve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would only buy the KMW Loggerhead hardware. It is a much cleaner system, nothing sticking out the side. And it never gets loose, never.

McM will inlet for it, at no extra charge.

s </div></div>

+1. That's the system that should be in there to begin with.
 
#13
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lexington</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Of course they don't advertise an unstable cheek piece, but they do recognize the deficiencies of the original design. Recommendation to add set screws is here: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...931#Post2995931

I would like to see photos of the McM clamp bar so I can compare it to the KMW. </div></div>

This is the best photo I already have on file of the McMillan clamp bar.
McMillancopyofmyLoggerHead.jpg


They came up with this design and starting selling it as an option in their stocks just a few months after receiving samples and pricing of the KMW hardware.

Original CAD for KMW LoggerHead clamp.
acp-1.jpg


The KMW LoggerHead has features and hardware that the McMillan hardware does not.
If you can get someone to post the complete McMillan hardware set prior to installation, I will post similar image of the KMW. There is a good bit of difference in the design and amount of finish machined parts.
 
#15
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

My solution, for both the saddle and cutout style rests has been to cut a small spacer block of wood that shims underneath the rest at the right height. This provides a perfectly consistent cheekweld height and resolves any slippage in a thoroughly positive manner. The thumbscrews no longer have to carry the entire load, and then work to secure the rest/block without needing to put on a Gorilla Face when tightening those thumbscrews.

Greg
 
#16
Re: McMillan thumbwheel or clamp bar for cheek rest?

Who is it that can do after-market mods on McMillans? I have an A5 and I'm sort of missing that adjustable cheekpiece on the AICS. I vaguely recall hearing about someone called the Stock Doc who does mods.
 
#18
I am digging up this old thread to see if there is any recent information. Has Mcmillan changed or improved their clamp bar system? Or is the KMW ACP still the way to go? Thanks.
 
#22
Great thread. I've had both the thumb wheel and the saddle type cheek pieces. The thumbwheel seemed to hold height well but it would wiggle from side to side. The saddle has the recurring problem of having the screws vibrate loose with shooting. So you have to continually readjust and tighten the screws which eventually strip. I eventually sold the thumbwheel stock. On the remaining saddle A5, I replaced the saddle with an Eagle stock pack. Works good but would like to have an original part that works. Gonna check out the Loggerhead.

Quick update, apparently they don't make a Loggerhead replacement for the saddle type. Guess I'm stuck with Eagle or send back to McMillan.
 
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