Penguin Austrian Humpback Stock Review

[CC]

I see a review was already done, but I don't think the fellow got the same stocks I did. Let me point out that I have never met Gerald, and have no association with Penguin Small Arms Works, other than the purchase of these stocks. The first thing I noticed about the stocks I received was their finish. The finish has been bead blasted, and done quite nicely. There are no uneven spots, and once oiled the overall finish has a frosted dark black appearance. The only hole I had to pre drill was the hole on the botton tang of the lower receiver. The weight was very close to the orginal. I had to do no ferther fitting, than drill out the tang hole. The stock slides right into place. I have to say I am very pleased with the way the receiver line lines up with the stock. I even put the old Austrian stock back on to check it out. After doing this I can honestly say, that the new Penguin stocks look better. The holes for the swivle have already been pre drilled. When I installed the swivle, it went right into place. I did notice that once the swivle was installed it was only off being flush from the stock by about 1 1/2 MMs too high. I also think this looks better than the orginal. On my orginal stocks the swivle sits about 1 MM too low. When I installed the buttpad, it fit nice and tight. I did notice that the buttpad follows the shape of the stock until about the top 1/3, where the stock gets slightly larger tapering to a difference of about 2 1/2 MMs at the very top. This is still a very close fit. I talked to Gerald and he told me he is working on making buttpads that should be a perfect fit. Once every thing was together, I lifted my rifle and looked through the site. For the very first time I could get a good site picture without having to smash my jaw into the stock. I have a big face(imagine Wane Newton only with blue eyes and light hair). When I picked up my other rifle with the old original Austrian stock still on it, I now realize I have never been able to center my front site with the back one no matter how hard I smashed my jaw into it. All I can say is wow, thanks Gerald. I am very pleased with your new stocks. Keep up the good work...CC

[SniperIvan]

I just received my Peguin Humpback stock from Gerald and all I can say is WOW! http://www.fnfal.com/forums/smile.gif I am most happy with it. Excellent work! Now my parts kit is off to ARS for a pretty, new satin black finish and assembly...THEN I get to play! Anyway, THANKS GERALD!!

[WJ-Polish Guy]

CC! I do not know if metric system is natural for you, but 2.5mm diference is a quite large one. If it realy is 2.5mm I could not say buttpad fit...

[gcc]

Rachel, you're welcome. I'm glad you like it.

CC, I too am curious about the 2.5 mm difference you wrote about. When using the smaller Austrian pad, about 1/4 way down the stock, the stock is 0.85 millimeter wider than the Austrian pad. With the Belgian pad, there is no width difference.

Do you have a digital camera? Can you put some pics here for us? Thanks.

Gerald aka Penguin
www.humpbackstock.com (http://www.humpbackstock.com)

[CC]

WJ-Polish&gcc: Yes both of you are correct. my measurments, were by the wooden ruler method. I used a friends micrometer and I now get a difference of 1.21MM. I am measuring the difference from the top of the buttpad. I should of used the mic in the first place. I never realized a wooden ruler could be so inaccurate. Sorry Gerald, I didn't mean to throw you any curve balls. I didn't post any pictures because I thought the ones tool posted looked great. His second picture shows this small difference between the Austrian buttpad and the Austrian pattern Penguin stock. Gerald, I am very very happy with the stock. Gerald, when do you think you will be shipping the buttpads that fit? Now I know why some of your competitors U.S. made stocks suck, they must have used my wooden ruler to take their measurements with...CC

[blfuller]

Here's a pic comparing the Austrian and the Penguin stock. The contour of the chamfered edge in which the butt pad mates is different as you can see in the middle pic. Left one is Austrian, right is Penguin. The top and bottom pic is to show the dimensional differences in the stocks. The top one is the Penguin and the bottom is Austrian. This pic is mainly for Geralds information. I am quite pleased with the stock. Thanks Gerald and I cant wait to see your other products. http://www.icehouse.net/blfuller/buttcomp.jpg

[This message has been edited by blfuller (edited February 11, 2001).]

[CC]

I took my measurements from top to bottom, not side to side...CC

[CC]

I'm also calling it a micrometer. It's a 6 inch caliper...CC

[gcc]

Thanks guys for your input! I really like the way you guys are closely involved in the development of these products.

When we chose a stock pattern to copy half a year ago, I decided on copying the exterior of the Belgian stock and not the Austrian, not only because the Belgian has the humpback but also because it is beefier than the Austrian. Those of you who have the Imbel and R1 butt pads must know that they are much wider and a little taller than the Austrian pads. FYI, the Imbel pads are also a tad larger than the R1 pads. Our Penguin butt pads will be very close to the Imbel pads. I will release more info on the pads as they become available to me.

Gerald aka Penguin
www.humpbackstock.com (http://www.humpbackstock.com)

[Talyn]

gcc,

Would your buttpads fit the humpback stocks on the IAI M444's?

Talyn

[gcc]

I don't have an M444, so I'm not sure.

[Talyn]

gcc,

The M444 is built off of S. American IMBEL parts kits. Don't know if that helps.

Talyn

[jwv3]

I just received my pair today. I have to say after rushing home during lunch for a trial fit, it looks great! Can't wait to go fire it. The cheek weld is so much better.

If anyone is still on the fence, waiting to buy one of these stocks, wait no more. The quality of the material used is excellent. The fit and finish are excellent. Thanks Gerald!

[Timber Wolf]

Just got mine today and it fits fine. My R1 or STG pad (I don't know which) is a little small but not bad. I am quite pleased. Now I can take off the DSA handguards (US part)and replace them with the L1A1 style on my bipod-less carbine.

------------------
First rule of gunfighting, "Have a gun!".
Timber Wolf, N.R.A. Endowment Member

[jason10mm]

I just got my humpback today, after about a 3 week wait (I do live in hawaii though) and am very pleased. I just need to drill out the hole for the tang screw and find a buttpad that fits. I have a century stg-58 and the buttpad from their straight comb stock will not fit. I can now use the iron sights without laying over the stock. It is tough feeling material and is very sturdy. A little oiling and it came out nice and dark. Later.