Basically $500 and a day.

 

Basically $500 and a day.

Does that get you a custom stock?

 

I think that just gets you fitted for a custom stock. I actually thought it was more than that.

 

$500 is the fitting fee. Add that to the price of a new gun, and you have a new gun w/ a custom stock. If your having a custom stock made for a gun you already own, tacking on another $3k would be a safe bet.

 

It's $500 for "custom stock dimensions" and $900 for a "custom fitting at factory", which entails about 7-9 hours of hand fitting, a gazillion gun mounts as Jeff adjusts the fit. It's the best $900 you'll spend, ending up with a gun that is literally built exactly right for you.

http://www.kolararms.com/competitionsho ... ermkt.html

Of course, this is on top of the $14,495 for a Max T/A combo or $7,995 T/S SBT. If you're plunking down almost $15K for the gun, the extra $900, to me, seems like a slam dunk. You end up with a gun built for you for only $900 more. You do have to wait 10-12 weeks for it, which will seem like an eternity -- but it's worth it.

 

I just received a Max Skeet Prestige with a custom fit stock. My opinion is the custom fitting at the factory is worth every penny spent ($900). The gun has such a great feel and no need for an adjustable butt plate. Jeff spent 5 hours with me just getting the grip perfect. Do it; if you have the chance, Kolar is located 20 minutes from the Milwaukee Airport. Why spend that much $ and not have a custom stock?
P.S The engraving is also super!

 

Let's see it!

 

http://www.kolararms.com/engravprestige.html

Go here to see one from Kolar's website.

 

I just received a Max Skeet Prestige with a custom fit stock. My opinion is the custom fitting at the factory is worth every penny spent ($900). The gun has such a great feel and no need for an adjustable butt plate. Jeff spent 5 hours with me just getting the grip perfect. Do it; if you have the chance, Kolar is located 20 minutes from the Milwaukee Airport. Why spend that much $ and not have a custom stock?
P.S The engraving is also super!

I have seen and shot pabirddog's Kolar and it is a think of joy to shoot. Pretty too. Even went so far as to buy pabirddog's older Kolar.

Better bring you A game tomorrow, the winds are going to be blowing.

We are going to find out if one can buy a few extra birds a round.

 

The fitting price has since doubled, now $1800.

 

Well, in 2000 or 2001 when I bought my Kolar, the fitting was free.

I spent all day with Jeff teaching him everything I knew about gun fitting (LOL...this is tongue in cheek).

Wow, $1,800 on top of the gun and any wood upgrades. :shock:

I would still do it again. I have no idea who the heck factory production stock specs fit, but it ain't me.

 

$1800 on top of a $15k gun is insane. If someone is willing to fly out there, you'd think they'd throw the fitting in for free.

 

6 1/2 hours of fitting, you pick out the wood, watch it being roughed in, then hours of hand fitting and mount and dismount until it feels like it's part of your body.
The $$ for fitting is well worth it if you're a serious shooter.
What costs is your wood, from some nice standard blanks, then you see what $500 more will get you, the maybe $1000, na heck, let's go to one step below exhibition, what's another $2,100 on a $12,000 gun. :>)

the CEO himself,

 

Great wood! I agree if I needed a custom fit I'd do it. The standard CL right handed sporting stock fits me great.

 

K-shooter,
All my life I had to accept what was available off the shelf. For 90% of shooters this worked well.
But now that I've turned 70 and have the resources to do what I always wanted to do I decided to have my last trap gun made for ME.
Being left handed is bad enough, then add to it being 6'-5", extra long arms and 260 lbs and you see why off the shelf guns just don't work.
My other trap guns needed extended adjustable recoil pads, adjustable combs with extra long posts and material added to the pistol grips to fit my big hands.
What a great feeling to have all these problems eliminated at the factory and end up with a gun that 90% of the people can't shoot. ;>)

 

Jbmich: You are the reason custom stock makers are worth every penny. I read once that "most" gun manufacturers build a shotguns stock to fit a five foot ten inch tall, one hundred and eighty pound man. If you are not anywhere close to those dimensions you are out of luck. Fortunately I'm 5' 9" and 200 lbs and right handed. That's why a CL factory stock is pretty good fit for me. In your case I know the custom fitted stock will make all the difference in your shooting enjoyment. Like they say we can't take it with us so use it now. Good shooting.

 

K-shooter,
All my life I had to accept what was available off the shelf. For 90% of shooters this worked well.
But now that I've turned 70 and have the resources to do what I always wanted to do I decided to have my last trap gun made for ME.
Being left handed is bad enough, then add to it being 6'-5", extra long arms and 260 lbs and you see why off the shelf guns just don't work.
My other trap guns needed extended adjustable recoil pads, adjustable combs with extra long posts and material added to the pistol grips to fit my big hands.
What a great feeling to have all these problems eliminated at the factory and end up with a gun that 90% of the people can't shoot. ;>)

Exactly my dimensions I don't suppose you'd like to put me in your will just kidding hope you enjoy your Kolar.

 

Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, now not only do I need to decide between of the two K guns I have to consider jumping on a plane and plunking down an additional 2K+, I guess forgo the engraving to offset the added expense. I may be fortunate because I'm 5'10 and run around 170, maybe I'll luck out. Lets see what Mr. Paxton says when the time comes. I am a wood junky.

 

Update. The wife is on with the gun and the case colored receiver. Like I said, I'm 5'10 and 170 so maybe I don't need a custom. I wonder what they charge you if you are close to being a fit for the standard stock? It would seem to me they may throw you a bone or a half of a bone. I'm going to write them and ask.
The gun should look great: case colored receiver with a TX star on the bottom of the receiver highlighted in gold. I agree with all of you on the custom stock. Dropping that kind of money you might as well be able to call it your own.

 

There are several different Kolar off the shelf 'standard' stock's available (the #1, #2, #3, #4, etc), both right hand and left cast. They would all have an adjustable comb, but that is just one of the many dimensions so they may not be exactly right for you. It is possible that the good old #3 will line up perfectly for you, be the right length, pitch, etc., you just do not know until you know. Yes, one of these would be the stock that would come with the gun from the factory at the base price that Paxton would quote you. I assume that Paxton will have a demo stock of more or less each and every one of these stocks available on-hand but that is a huge assumption. If he doesn't, and the stocks he has at the shop do not seem to be almost exactly perfect for you, you might consider calling or have Paxton call back to Racine, speaking with Fournier or Ramagli and inquiring into the possibility of a few demo stocks being temporarily shipped to Dallas for a fitting. Some dealers also have used demo guns available in which you could actually go shoot the gun with the stock. Again, I just do not know if Paxton does or does not, but wouldn't hurt to ask.

A custom stock is going to be custom fit exactly for your body. Perfect length of pull, perfect cast, perfect drop, perfect palm swell and grip, etc. That said, it will likely also have an adjustable comb cut into it so if you gain or lose weight and need a small adjustment it could be accommodated. If you are going to fly back to Racine and have the work done, you'd probably want to have it done with your initial purchase. Doing so would save you the cost of the factory stock and the cost of the custom. At Kolar, Jeff Mainland would build the stock, he is excellent, very experienced and you will not be disappointed; he also owns the company. I asked him what percentage of the new Kolar guns have a factory stock verses a custom fit. He indicated that at least half and probably more like 2/3rds of the owners fly in and have him build a custom stock for them. At least that was the percentage at the time I was there. Due to that demand, having Jeff build you a stock is not inexpensive, but I would do it again. That said, there are other stock makers out there as well…. decision, decisions!

 

I just received an email from Mr. Fournier and they will take a stock that comes closest to a fit and then do the custom work. He said a great deal of time is spent on the grip. The question I had was if I arrive in Racine and the off the shelf stock is a near fit will I still get dinged for the $2,800. He really didn't answer the question and I think it was unfair of me to even ask, but I did. The bottom line is walk in with the $2,800 go home and anxiously await delivery of a custom gun.
Just waiting on a price quote for the gun, that I won't post but may elude to a ballpark price. I'm already thinking of an addition of a little more engraving. I have to stop thinking! My next installment will be I can afford the entire package or I had to trim. If I have to trim it will probably be the TX star because everyone has encouraged me to go with the stock.