Re: Triad Stock Pack vs. TacOps Cheek Pad
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MAG00</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was wondering what you alls opinion of the Triad stock pad versus the Tac Ops cheeck pad. They appear to be very similar from pics on the web. I have no source for checking these out in person so I thought I would ask you all if you had any opinions of one over the other.</div></div>
The Tac Ops Stock Pack/Cheek Pad that is sold commercially only comes in one size which is too small to accomodate a Mildot Master or AICS and AW magazines like the Large Triad Stock Pack will. That said, if you don't carry a lot of bulk the Tac Ops Stock Pack may suit your needs. I carry eight rounds of ammo in the exterior ammo loops, and on the inside I carry wrenches necessary to adjust or tighten the ring clamps and screws, bottom metal, scope turret screws, and my bipod's QD mount tension as well as a Lens Pen and ear plugs. There's still room to spare for a small notepad, pen, and pencil.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Tac Ops Stock Pack holds 8 rounds in the exterior ammo loops and has room for small tools, pens, note pad, or a Weather Meter:</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Multicam Red Tac Gear Version III LT Tool Pack Pouch with Birdsong Black-T coated tools (tools not included in RTG LT Pouch):</span></span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MAG00</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Does the tac ops version have the hook & loop pieces on the underside to be able to add padding? </div></div>
Except for a narrow loop-free strip that allows the Stock Pack to hug the where the ridge of the stock's cheekpiece, the underside of Tac Ops Stock Packs' is completely covered in "loop". The rest of the underside is covered in loop, allowing the user to position the Stock Pack's four retention straps to fit a wide variety of stock styles and sizes. Older Tac Ops Stock Packs have a crease about 1.25" wide, but newer production Stock Packs have a more narrow crease (approximately 1/2" wide). I have both older and newer production Tac Ops Stock Packs and they're of the highest U.S.-made quality and function the same.
The "loop" on the underside of the Tac Ops Stock Packs is there to allow the user to fine-tune the position and angle of the Stock Pack Straps and their exposed length. Keep in mind that <span style="font-style: italic">all</span> Stock Packs also widen the cheekpiece slightly, pushing the shooter's face off the centerline of the cheekpiece and the axis of the scope. If material is added underneath a Stock Pack, unless the build-up is perfectly vertical the width will be widened as well, pushing the shooter's face further off the axis of the scope. Therefore, when building-up cheekpad height to align your eye with the scope care should be taken to to ensure that the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">height</span></span>, not <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">width</span></span>, of the cheekpiece is increased.
However - if it's known that a high cheekpiece will be required for use with a particular stock/scope/ring combination, a much better option is to use an adjustable cheekpiece version of the stock (if available). Several McMillan and Manners cheekpieces are <span style="font-style: italic">laterally adjustable</span> in addition to being height-adjustable. The lateral adjustment allows the user to use a Stock Pack/Cheek Pad and still keep his or her eye on-axis with the reticle.
A lot of bolt action rifle stocks don't need need them, but Tac Ops offers their Stock Packs with extra-length retention straps to accomodate the extra height of newer "tactical" stocks. The "taller" buttstocks of tactical stocks such as the McMillan A4, A5, and A3-5 as well as the Manners T4 and T5 stocks benefit from extra-length straps that Tac Ops offers. However, if you order a Tac Ops Stock Pack YOU'LL NEED TO ORDER THE STOCK PACK DIRECT FROM TAC OPS, as it is unlikely that retailers who carry Tac Ops Stock Packs will have the LONG STRAPS in stock.
<span style="font-weight: bold">NOTE:</span> The photos below are of an older MultiCam Tac Ops Stock Pack, so the photos of the underside show a 1.25" wide strip on the crease between the Right and Left sides of the Pack. Another cool thing about Tac Ops Stock Packs is that the area where the three (3) bottom straps are routed is sewn in a way that you can tuck the ends of the straps under the Stock Pack so that they're hidden out of the way.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Underside of Tac Ops MultiCam Stock Pack with LONG Straps:</span></span>
I highly recommend that you order a Tac Ops Stock Pack with LONG Straps. As I said above, you will have to order direct from Tac Ops, as retailers who carry Tac Ops Stock Packs will only have Stock Packs with the Regular Straps.
Below are a couple overhead photos of a McMillan A5 Adjustable's cheekpiece with and without a Tac Ops Stock Pack installed. The cheekpiece has been adjusted to it's rightmost position, allowing the a RH Stock Pack to be used on while still maintaining the shooter's eye on-axis of the reticle.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Overhead view of Tac Ops Stock Pack on McMillan A5 with KMW "Loggerhead" ACH. The KMW's Lateral Adjustment is at "full right":</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Overhead view of McMillan A5 with KMW "Loggerhead" ACH. The KMW's Lateral Adjustment is at "full right":</span></span>
Keith
