When I first started the rifle kit business in 1987 with Don Getz and Bob Lepley as partners, I had to decide whether to make the stocks (especially the forestocks) close to the way they were done in the 18th century or to make them oversize and hope those finishing the rifles knew enough to slim them down. I chose to try to make them as close to the original rifles as was possible given the capabilities of the stock carving machine. Lets take a look at machining capabilities for a moment. Yes, there are CNC machines being make today that can hold incredible tolerances and could machine barrels that would all be exactly the same within one or two thousandts or less. But, I don't know of any barrel maker that can afford one of those machines given the fact that most are small one or two man operations who are barely making a living at best. Next, there are CNC machines that could machine stocks to those same incredigle tolerances. But, again, who can afford one. Also, wood is not like metal. Once it is machined the internal stresses in the individual piece of wood can change the shape and dimensions of that stock sometimes considerably. Bottom line is this: our barrel makers and stock carvers are doing about as good a job as they can with the equipment available to them. Do things always fit perfectly, no. Can a competent gunmaker start with a well designed kit and make a great gun, yes. But, when you are building from a kit you are limited to the design and architecture the kit designer had in mind when he designed the kit. If you want different dimensions or different architecture you need to start with a blank.
