McMillian - Manners?
- Thread starter Hattrick
- Start date
I have both brands. Both great quality. Differneces are camo patterns, and I really like the kmw adjustable cheek piece manners uses more then the McMillan cheek piece hardware.
You wont be disappointed in either.
You wont be disappointed in either.
I have both, prefer the Manners over the McMillans. It's a personal thing, not a one size fits all. Go to a shoot and get behind both, you will know what works/feels best for YOU.
I’ve owned both. In fairness, I haven’t owned a manners of recent construction so perhaps it’s changed, but the manners I’ve owned always had what appeared to be burst surface bubbles making little craters in the finish. Not being an individual that gets wrapped up in aesthetics as much as function, it never really bothered me, but I’m sure there are some it would. I have not seen a difference in quality between the two and have been very satisfied with all the stocks I’ve owned from both manufacturers. A major difference I have seen between the two companies is that I have always received a prompt and informative response to emails I’ve sent to McMillian, I have never gotten a response to an email sent to manners. Also, I did have a warranty claim with McMillian for a cracked stock, they took care of me beyond what I ever would have expected. Never had a warranty with Manners, so I can’t comment on how they handle things.
I have had both and they both functioned well. My customer service experience with Manners was amazing. They fixed a problem that wasn’t theirs and jumped through hoops to do it. In fairness, I never used McMillan customer service. If I am looking for a stock, I only go to Manners based on how they took care of me.
I prefer Manners because the mini chassis is an option. If you might switch out actions any, this is nice.
If you don’t and have it bedded for one action, both are good choices.
If you don’t and have it bedded for one action, both are good choices.
The two items I look at in regards to stocks is the cheek area and length of the pull changing ability. I like a cheek riser and the ability to be able to set the stock to your physical size matters a lot. I have a McMillan A5 and also a Manners T4 and they both have those attributes. As someone said above, the Mini- Chassis on the Mannner's works, if the price is right, is a great option whereas you will have to add the price of a magazine set-up for a McMillan to determine final price. If all things are equal I would get behind either one with no issues.
I have found the two best ways to reach manners is by phone and PM on this site.
Admittedly, phone can be sometimes hard to get some right off the bat but they do follow up to voicemails and anyone you speak with is incredibly friendly and helpful.
Tom is also usually incredibly quick and responsive with PM’s on this site as well.
Between the two I have always been taken care of by them.
Manners was the first company I went with but due to my satisfaction with what they make and their customer service I haven’t felt an itch to try anything new (especially since they seem to always be innovativing). So if you get behind a manners and it fits you well you you can buy with a good feeling.
I have not owned a Manners but have owned a McM with the McM adjustable cheek hardware and currently own an A-3 with the KMW hardware and really like the KMW Loggerhead. With the OEM McM hardware every time that you need to remove the bolt you have to collapse or remove the adjustable cheek piece, the Loggerhead hardware has a snap ring on the front stud that you find your preferred height and set the ring and it goes right back to your setting each time. I have the tension set up on mine where I can pull it off with about 20-25 pounds of force and slide it back in with the same and it goes right back to my preferred height with no tools required.
I've had several of both. I prefer the feel of the manners. The matte clear that manners puts over the top has a much better feel. The McMillans seem to be a bit slippery. On top of that, Tom's service is some of the best in the business. They do let some problems happen but they do everything they can do to make it right, and quickly.
Manners for me, have built and used both. Nothing wrong with McM, I just like the fit and finish and ergonomics of Manners better. Tom is one of the best people I’ve had dealings with hands down.
I've had several of both. I prefer the feel of the manners. The matte clear that manners puts over the top has a much better feel. The McMillans seem to be a bit slippery. On top of that, Tom's service is some of the best in the business. They do let some problems happen but they do everything they can do to make it right, and quickly.
I have several target rifles built on the Adjustable A5 w/ KMW ACP hardware, and several hunting rifles built on the EH1. Both are super nice stocks. I have experienced awesome customer service from both companies. In my opinion both companies represent everything that is right about this industry (along with TBAC).
I will say that I was a little disappointed in the aesthetics of the bare carbon fiber finish on my EH1. Compared to other carbon fiber stocks I have seen, the carbon fiber is a little sloppy, with lots of crushing and asymmetric overlapping of the fibers. This in no way affects the function of the stock, it just looks a little sloppy for an $800 stock.
I will say that I was a little disappointed in the aesthetics of the bare carbon fiber finish on my EH1. Compared to other carbon fiber stocks I have seen, the carbon fiber is a little sloppy, with lots of crushing and asymmetric overlapping of the fibers. This in no way affects the function of the stock, it just looks a little sloppy for an $800 stock.
The Manners T5 stock is one of the best I've tried so far, by far the most comfortable for me. I own both McM & Manners both are great choices. If you can try prior to purchasing that is the best route.
I know it's personal preference. I like my a5's more then my t4. I really like my t2. I'd try and get behind them if you can.
I have an A5 under my 700SA and a T4 under my 721LA.
As said above, I prefer the KMW hardware the Manners comes with. Enough that I had Joe Ducos put it on my A5. Whichever you get the best deal on, get it. They're both great.
Hard to go wrong with manners. More or less comes down to which stock fits you best. For me, the EH-1 is perfect, so I went manners. If you call them they'll send out a few stocks for you to get a feel for if you're hung up between a few models.
I’ve had both the A5 and the T4A. It’s definitely a coin flip. Biggest negative on the MCM’s is the Camo patterns. I prefer the Camo on the Manners hands down. Biggest drawback on the Manners? The ridiculous wait times! But they are right. It’s truly a coin flip. Both are amazing.
Both outstanding companies in my dealings with them, top to bottom straight up outstanding. However, for me the mini-chassis option makes the Manners the way to go. Either way you won't go wrong
Both are great stocks with great costumer service. I sold my Manners T4A and replaced them with McMillan XTR/A5 Adj...haven't looked back.
I have a McMillan A3, A5 and a Manners T4A. Currently spec'n out a new build and it will be going into a Manners PRS. I love Manners for the look, the feel, the built in chassis, and the customer service. Nothing against McMillan. Both are awesome stocks and will get the job done. When comparing these I've always looked at it like Chevy/Ford.
Have them both, prefer the McMillan but nothing wrong with the Mannors. The manners scars easier, but chicks dig scars so no biggie. The manners on my 338lm has a bit of forearm deflection that my McMillan in 338lb does not. Not enough to touch the barrel, but it does flex. It is the older Manners, newer ones don’t scar as much and are stiffer. Take all this as the opinion it is. I have odd stock taste. I hate the A5 with a passion, think the A4 is the greatest thing since sliced bread. As others have said you won’t be disappointed either way.
I currently have an A5 and really like it but was looking for something lighter for a hunting rifle. Unfortunately the McMillan game scout is only rated to 300Norma and I'm planning on building a .338Norma so Manners will get the call for an EH1 for this build.
I’ve only owned the A5. I’ve heard the Manners T4 or PRS stocks were better for those with large hands, is that true?
I'm tired of sponge painted stocks, they're so 2012 lol.
Manners has a pretty impressive following on this site due to Tom's presence here, and due to a great product and service. I have an A5, A3, and T4A. My choice is McMillan just because of their texture, a little more "tackiness" and not so slippery.
Have had zero problems with Mcmillan's clamp bar adjustments, and for those of you liking Manners snap ring to preset height adjustment, I put a small rubber O ring around the shaft (that's what she said) of my McMillan hardware a la KRG, does the same thing.
Manners has a pretty impressive following on this site due to Tom's presence here, and due to a great product and service. I have an A5, A3, and T4A. My choice is McMillan just because of their texture, a little more "tackiness" and not so slippery.
Have had zero problems with Mcmillan's clamp bar adjustments, and for those of you liking Manners snap ring to preset height adjustment, I put a small rubber O ring around the shaft (that's what she said) of my McMillan hardware a la KRG, does the same thing.
Yoy can’t go wrong with either one, although Manners mini-chassis system is sweet.. If your gonna drop good coin on a stock, maybe check out Foundation as well??
Both are great choices, McMillan has a few more different camo patterns, and I like the coyote ambush for here in the Western U.S.
I made a delrin spacer that drops into recess in mcm stock. It holds cheek piece at proper height without tension screws in, makes cleaning rifle easy.
I learned quickly way back when that a set of plumbers O-rings will fit tightly over the cheek riser posts and mark my desired height without sliding around unless I want to remove them. No need to model anything, easy as a trip to the plumbers section at Lowe's .
That's what I use on ai and krg cheek pieces. A mcm riser is 1/4" wide x 2" long. A big o ring could work, but corners of that riser are sharp and o ring would be getting replaced often. I had delrin handy, several guys have done this after I posted it several yrs back on old hide. The mcm screws sometimes loosen up during shooting, my block keeps cheek piece from moving no matter if screws loosen up and putting down pressure on cheek piece. An o ring would just move up in that scenario.
The O-rings have always worked for me, and I haven't had to replace them yet; also I have had problems with having torqued the cheekpiece down too much so I had to use a pair of pliers to loosen them but not with them coming loose; I guess there must be more variation in the McMillan stocks than I have experienced.
Loosening is a fairly common thing with mcm, or were. Be careful over tightening the screws, they are just threaded into aluminum
Only issue I have with the clamp bar is that MCM asked Terry Cross for prints and demo loggerhead hardware for fitment testing under the guise of using his hardware in their stocks. Only a short time later they came out the clamp bar which is far too similar to be by accident. Their thumb wheel cheek piece is ok, but the fact it rocks back and forth like a rocking horse until the set screws are tightened is a little annoying.
Manners took the highroad and uses the KMW hardware or the LRI lightweight hardware. The continued innovation with new fills, mini-chassis, molded in colors, built in barricade rails, etc. Tom's presence on here and the yearly group buys don't hurt.
Back in the day the MCM had the advantage of having a stiffer and more durable fill, but that's no longer the case. Manners has heavy and light fills now that are stiffer than MCM's. I find very little these days that doesn't favor Manner's.
Manners took the highroad and uses the KMW hardware or the LRI lightweight hardware. The continued innovation with new fills, mini-chassis, molded in colors, built in barricade rails, etc. Tom's presence on here and the yearly group buys don't hurt.
Back in the day the MCM had the advantage of having a stiffer and more durable fill, but that's no longer the case. Manners has heavy and light fills now that are stiffer than MCM's. I find very little these days that doesn't favor Manner's.
