[thrillr89]

I know this should cause a little trouble. I have a Kolar combo set and am thinking of a new custom stock for it. Trouble is deciding to go with Dennis Devault or Jeff Mainland. I know both guys and their companies are well known for great skills and service to us trapshooters. I am wondering if anyone who has had a stock made up in Racine might have converted to a Devault job, and noticed less recoil, better fit etc than going direct with Kolar services? Thanks for any info, Dave

 

[Beretta687EELL]

I don't think you could go wrong with either. Have you considered a PFS? There's almost no recoil with mine. Bill Malcolm

 

[skeet_man]

Now that truely is a question for the ages. I've heard nothing but good about the services of both. One thing dennis has going for him is he's willing to think outside the box, and if you have an idea for some radical, he'll work with you on it. I kinda like the look of dennis' stocks a little better, but i'd have a hard time choosing if I were to get a custom stock (I shoot a pfs now). I'd check pricing and see if one is significantly cheaper than the other, and go from there.

 

[635 G]

Dennis wrote the book, everyone else has been copying his inovations. After your fitting you can usually take the bondo work up home with you, shoot it for awhile. Really get to see how you like it. It may need a tweek or to. then send it back & have a piece of art made for your gun. Just rember if you don't shoot much in cold weather. It going to be difficult to get the perfect fit with heavy winter gear on & if your like most of us we put on weight during the holidays. Go to Dennis.

Phil Berkowitz

 

[KEYBEAR]

Kolar built a stock for me about six years ago . The fit was very good as was the wood . As for Dennis (wrote the book )I don,t think so . Mr. Devault does a very nice job and his wood is top grade stuff but Kolar started the toe-out we see today . No one was doing the stuff Kolar was doing untill the last five years .

I think I would go to the closer of the two . Make a call to both and ask about price and time you can,t go wrong with Dennis or Jeff .

Kolar and Devault are about the same distance from me and I would choose Dennis at this time . The only real reason is I would not need to drive through Chicago ??

ALF

 

[bigbore613]

Wrote the Book ? I first saw extreme with Hagoop Bijourdain 25 years ago Anyone know what Im talking about? Stocks with extreme twist are now more of the norm. Kolar did not start the twist its been around along time. I can vouch for Jeff and Im impressed with the work from dennis as well. J.P.

 

[xcollector]

When Dennis built my stock he offered two recoil pads for winter/summer shooting (no surprise there). I have purchased winter clothing that is as thin as possible and I don't suffer at all in the winter. You get an adjustable cheek piece as well to deal with weight gain and loss.

I also had a PFS, but Dennis' stock spoiled me and I have moved away from it. I have nothing bad to say about them (a lot of people shoot great scores with them), but once you feel a custom stock...you are ruined. Everything else is a compromise. Go out to Canton and talk with Dennis and listen to what he has to say...I learned a lot the day I spent out there. I actually got in the car and wrote things we discussed in my shooting diary. I was afraid I'd forget everything.

My DeVault stock was my best shooting investment...hands down.


Doug Johnston

 

[peanut gallery]

Thrillr include your email address I've had 1 of the 2 do work for me >not interested in suppling opinions over broadband.

 

[Too Tall]

Having been exposed to both, Dennis is a trapshooter himself. Now, whether or not he's shot enough targets to satisfy you is another subject. I've talked to Dennis plenty of times and have been to his shop to have a cheek piece built and some small lessons, but not a whole stock. And have talked to a only a few people who have had guns built by him. They are not that popular yet in the DC/MD/VA area. There are a few around here but not many. There are way more Kolars here. Even more Silver Seitz and Krieghoffs, but that's neither here nor there. But, not only will Dennis go outside the box, he'll take you to his range, stand over your shoulder and you can break targets until you're satisfied, work out your poi and everything else for 1 or 2 days and probaly more if you want. And even offer instructions if you need them. Now, I know and have shot against way more Kolar owners than DeVault owners. And of those Kolar owners who have had stocks built at their factory, none of them have told me that any part of the fitting process involved range time. Not one. The only thing they did was shoot in a tunnel to make sure the gun shot straight. I asked every one of them if they went to a range and they told me no that they only shot to make sure the gun shot straight. Now, if they lied to me, I can't help that because there is nothing that I can do about it but I'm telling what they told me. I hope this helps with your decision.

Robert Houston

 

[thrillr89]

Sharky and others, thanks for the input.

 

[Tron]

Dennis is about as genuine an article as you are ever going to find in the game of Trap. He doesn't just talk the talk, but he's walked the walk as well. A true diplomat for the game.....and DAMN fine guns to boot!