MDT Field Stock........

W

William Suter

Well-known member
....for the Ruger American. I received mine today. (Quick shipment from Optics Planet) Thought I would give a little review.

Pros- a bazillion times better than the flimsy stock that comes on the Ruger. I can get very little flex in the fore-end. Very solid. Recoil lugs are in the stock and you have to work to get your action settled in. Its more force in than drop in. Its tight. Fit and finish is very nice IMO for a $300 stock. Comes with front and rear sling swivels and also M-locs on the fore-end. It came with three spacers for length of pull and an adjustable cheek riser.

Cons-Not really a "con" but its heavier than the factory stock at 3 1/2 pounds but you have to consider its a solid built stock. The mag release has to be installed by you. I spent about 15 minute installing it then realized you have to remove it to get to the rear action screw. I didn't care for that but on a plus, its much easier to install the mag release the second time. Not really a con but you do have to work to get the action into the recoil lugs. They fit TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT!!! Lastly and its not MDT's fault. I didn't read the small print, but your factory mags don't fit. The stock uses AICS mags so I'm going to have to order one or two.

Just to wrap it up, the MDT Field Stock is a great replacement stock for someone (me) not wanting to spend a lot of money on a better quality stock.
 
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good to hear your review, thanks! I'm not a fan of the Gen 2 stock either for the reasons you've mentioned. When I bought this rifle I wanted something light weight and it filled the bill. It'll be interesting to hear if this helps with accuracy and if you can get her to shoot SUB For my liking there is way to much travel in the trigger as well, kinda fond of Timney.
 
Eventually I plan on a better trigger. I replaced the spring and lowered the weight to 2 1/2 pounds. Not the greatest but much better than it was. Timney doesn't make a trigger for the Gen II yet but I read they are working on it. I also read (don't shoot the messenger) that a Gen1 trigger will work, you just loose the 3 position safety. Which to me would be no big deal seeing how the rifle uses a mag. Pull the mag and eject the round. I'm in no hurry so I'll wait to see what Timney comes up with. Maybe I'll check with Rifle Basix too.
 
William Suter said:
....for the Ruger American. I received mine today. (Quick shipment from Optics Planet) Thought I would give a little review.

Pros- a bazillion times better than the flimsy stock that comes on the Ruger. I can get very little flex in the fore-end. Very solid. Recoil lugs are in the stock and you have to work to get your action settled in. Its more force in than drop in. Its tight. Fit and finish is very nice IMO for a $300 stock. Comes with front and rear sling swivels and also M-locs on the fore-end. It came with three spacers for length of pull and an adjustable cheek riser.

Cons-Not really a "con" but its heavier than the factory stock at 3 1/2 pounds but you have to consider its a solid built stock. The mag release has to be installed by you. I spent about 15 minute installing it then realized you have to remove it to get to the rear action screw. I didn't care for that but on a plus, its much easier to install the mag release the second time. Not really a con but you do have to work to get the action into the recoil lugs. They fit TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT!!! Lastly and its not MDT's fault. I didn't read the small print, but your factory mags don't fit. The stock uses AICS mags so I'm going to have to order one or two.

Just to wrap it up, the MDT Field Stock is a great replacement stock for someone (me) not wanting to spend a lot of money on a better quality stock.
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If you are just starting to buy AI style mags I recommend buying them without a binder plate, it allows you to load MUCH longer OAL. With factory rifles and large freebore it really helps you to load long.

They are the same price as well as the ones with plates also.
 
Well, an update. The MDT is going back. I hit 6 different shops today looking for a mag with no luck. Looked several places for mags online...no luck. Called Optics Planet and no luck there either so I got an RMA and will be sending it back. I didn't want a laminate stock due to the extra weight but may order something from Boyds or just keep shopping until I find an alternative. Me and the little Ruger aren't getting along very well just yet. I keep getting a taste of feathers in my mouth.
 
William Suter said:
Well, an update. The MDT is going back. I hit 6 different shops today looking for a mag with no luck. Looked several places for mags online...no luck. Called Optics Planet and no luck there either so I got an RMA and will be sending it back. I didn't want a laminate stock due to the extra weight but may order something from Boyds or just keep shopping until I find an alternative. Me and the little Ruger aren't getting along very well just yet. I keep getting a taste of feathers in my mouth.
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this is what I used for my Ultradyne chassis . AICS 10 Round Magazine 223 Rem, 204. Bolt Action Only | eBay
 
I got one of these Accurate-Mag AICS 223 5-rounders on sale last week.
Screenshot_20240419_144113_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
You'll like the AICS mag system I have them for two of my Savage rifles, no issues. Mine are magpul, plastic I like them A LOT.
 
Curious…why by a cheaper lightweight rifle only to spend hundreds of more dollars to defeat the purpose when you could’ve spent that money on a rifle like you apparently wanted in the first place? Not knocking anyone because I see it all the time.
And NO I don’t have any fancy rifles, all mine are stock Rugers and they’ve all served me well.
 
Spurchaser said:
Curious…why by a cheaper lightweight rifle only to spend hundreds of more dollars to defeat the purpose when you could’ve spent that money on a rifle like you apparently wanted in the first place? Not knocking anyone because I see it all the time.
And NO I don’t have any fancy rifles, all mine are stock Rugers and they’ve all served me well.
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I've thought about this for several hours to collect my thoughts before posting. First off guns are like Barbi's for men we like to dress them up! I'm guilty as charged. I bought a Savage model 12 in 22-250 off of Gunbroker for around $400 delivered. I only wanted it for the action. Upon arrival it had perfect glossy bluing. I decided to make a model 14 classic clone out of it.$180 for the stock, I don't recall the cost of the hinged floor plate, less than $200. I got the stock, pillar bedded it and glass bedded it.
So for around $600 bucks I own a one off Classic Savage 14, PLUS I found a 243 barrel on Ebay for another $125 in gloss blue as well.


100 yards 5 round group, the best I've done in 20 years.
She's not only a Beauty she's a shooter , I will probably never change the barrel but have that option. I
 

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Getting back on topic, I'm sorry for the drift, I know nothing about Ruger's however I know rifles. As long as your stock doesn't touch your barrel and the recoil lug is set in a secure position your rifle will preform consistently. Hopefully it is accurate. If is not locked down in the stock and secure. Doing any load development is just a waste of powder!
I'm a big Savage fan and they have flimsy stocks as well the guys used to install aluminum rods and epoxy them in and such I prefer wood and never bothered. Hopefully others will chime in, as saving some money and making a more accurate rifle is the goal. Knowing these shortcomings and doing a little work can turn a Cheap rifle into a solid shooter.
Not knowing the design I'm just babbling but I am sure that you guys can come up with a HACK to make the factory stock work if that's what you want to do. JB weld is cheap and can make a positive recoil lug location, theer are plenty of youtube videos on how to.
 
Spurchaser said:
Curious…why by a cheaper lightweight rifle only to spend hundreds of more dollars to defeat the purpose when you could’ve spent that money on a rifle like you apparently wanted in the first place? Not knocking anyone because I see it all the time.
Click to expand...
Actually good question and have been guilty of this myself.
For the one rifle ( Savage Axis .308) that I'm thinking of stocking in the MDT field stock... it's to get better ergonomics, a stiffer stock, the ability to lengthen and shorten the LOP, and AICS magazine compatibility.
But then again I have VERY little tied up in this one. I could order a new barrel with the stock and still be well below what most consider for getting such as a Tika / Begara, etc.
Does it make sense? Probably not, but some seem to enjoy doing it. Again I'm sometimes guilty of it.
Maybe I played with Lincoln logs too much as a child ( legos wasn't around, so there is that, maybe making up for lost opportunity??)
 
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I have been looking at the MDT Hunter stock for my 300 wby rifle. Fount the magazine too. Want something better than the factory stock. I bedded the action and floated the barrel. In the factory stock it came in. It shoots good with the gun bedded in factory stock. I thing the new stock will help even more.
 
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