Synthetic stocks vs Wood

[DefenseDefense]

Looking at the Moss 500.

What are thoughts on synthetic stock vs wood?

Will synthetic crack/break if the firearm falls to the ground?

Pros/Cons

[ceh383]

The synthetic stocks are usually more durable, less likely to crack or break. Wood stocks are easier to modify for fit...
I prefer wood.

[hattles]

+1 agree with ceh383.

It's just a matter of personal preference, synthetic vs wood. I prefer synthetic for my hunting guns and nice wood for my clay guns.

[wpod]

The thing I like about the synthetic stock on my Moss 500 is storage.
I have a space blanket, rain poncho, glow stick, matches, tinder, and 1/2 a CD (signal mirror).
Can survive a night outdoors fairly comfortably.

[anti]

I prefer wood but you have to make sure to keep any excess oil off of the gun because oil will soften wood over time if it seeps onto it. That's why many of us store our shotguns in the safe muzzle down with the fore end off.

[smittty]

Plastic is durable and much cheaper than a pretty piece of walnut. I also prefer walnut stocks on most guns.

[anti]

Forgot to mention that you may want to look into laminated wood if you want wood that's more durable and generally not quite as expensive. The only downside is laminated wood is denser and weighs a bit more than hardwood. I personally love it.

Here's my 425 bunker trap gun /w custom glove stock made of laminated wood:

[Thefeeder]

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Nice wood will always have the one of a kind look. That comes from a long time wood hound , so a bit biased

Pratical side, wood can be easily tuned to: put shots on target, lower recoil and target recovery...to me, putting shots on target is the #1 priority.

[coy80176]

get both...

[trapperjohn]

Also too, wood usually provides better balance for the gun. Synthetic stocks, unless the manufacturer pays specific attention to weight (which Mossberg doesn't), tend to be fairly muzzle-heavy.

I just got done installing a Kick-Eez recoil pad on a Mossberg Maverick o/u with synthetic stock for a friend. A bit of a PIA, and had to add almost 11 ounces to the stock to balance the gun.

And, as others have said, the added weight of the wood helps reduce actual (and felt) recoil.

I think the cost differential is trivial compared to the benefit.

[SigP510]

Wood, so you can do some trench art !

[teflondog]

I like synthetic for practicality but I love the look of wood. Like mentioned earlier, I would also use synthetic for a workhorse gun and then use wood for a sporting gun.

[Standard]

I like synthetic because it's more grippy, but it feels cheap and plasticky.
Wood looks and feels nice, but is slightly heavier and can be more slick.
It's really all preference.
My 590 in wood

[Revhendo]

I like synthetic because it's more grippy, but it feels cheap and plasticky.
Wood looks and feels nice, but is slightly heavier and can be more slick.
It's really all preference.
My 590 in wood

Man, every time I see that 590.......