Synthetic or Wood Marauder?

[JDShapp]

I'm trying to come up with a list of pros and cons of these two different stock types. I know synthetic is more weather durable, and can be lighter than wood. At the same time from a personal perspective wood looks better to me, and adding things like a bi-pod rail later on may be easier than trying to work with the synthetic.

Are there any other factors I might want to consider? Rifle is intended to be a hunter mainly.

 

[bvan]

I think you've covered all the differences that I can think of. I had two of the wood stock marauders. I just preferred the wood look over the synthetic look on them. That being said I have switched gears and now have two FX airguns and they are both synthetic. Not much help am I.

 

[linsfreak]

SYNTHETIC....My favorite.

 

[Ginuwine1969]

The wood looks more classic and eligant, the synthetic looks more tactical to me, I have both but lean more too the synthetic. Haven't really been out in the elements shooting and hunting with it, but it that is you all weather is the elements go synthetic, if you are more pleasing to the eye and casual good weather shooter go wood.

 

[billydjann]

I have both, at first I liked the wood, but after hunting and all around use it gets scatched ..
So now I like the feel and durability of the synthetic.... if I were to do it over again.... all would be synthetic...

 

[ajshoots]

I prefer syn stocks, but be aware that the front swivel stud has been known to pull out of the syn stocks when using a harris style bipod or a sling. Used http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/366960/uncle-mikes-sling-swivel-stud-115-b-set not much meat on the front of the crosman stock. I actually made a metal plate to fit inside and tighten the machine screw down to it. Makes it much more rigid and no more worries of pulling out a stud.

 

[Chip]

• The wood and synthetic weigh roughly the same.
• Both have a front sling post that can accommodate a bipod.*
• Synthetic will handle a hydro dip better than wood, if you think you may do that down the road.
• Wood may get nicked or marred if you bang it on a rock, etc.

Other stock-related considerations: the Marauder is also available in three camo finishes (all are crosman.com-exclusives): Muddy Girl, Realtree Xtra and Realtree MAX-1. There's also the Armada, which is essentially the Marauder in an AR form. The Armada is available in all calibers.

 

[CptMoonlight]

I think most people prefer the look of the wood stock, but the synthetic is very popular for a reason. It's durable, weather resistant, sometimes less expensive and lighter. My next rifle will be a synthetic stock.

 

[npunk42]

I really think when you open your rifle case you should love what you see inside. Looking at it has to make you feel better somehow. I got the Synrod and that isn't happening. I open the case and say to myself, "well this is what I paid for, it works". Next rifle will something more inspiring for sure.

 

[jbeachler]

I've got to like the looks and feel of the gun to really like it, so it's wood for me.

 

[FukoChan]

I like synthetic because I often find myself running in the rain with my wildcat. It's also soft to the touch.

 

[NMshooter]

I personally don't like the looks of the Marauder wood stock. The Synthetic stock is awesome looking and I am really starting to like the camo look. 

 

[Daxx]

I got a Vulcan in wood, well, because it only comes in wood. It was my biggest hang up about buying the Vulcan because I really wanted a synthetic stock.

However, now that I have the Vulcan and have a chance to hold it and admire it, I'm loving the wood stock. It just feels good and the contrast is very nice. I'm glad it's wood now.

But, if it ever gets scratched up in the field, I can refinish it or, if you search you will find others have refinished the wood stock all black which looks awesome as well.

Go with what you like if you have the option. Whatever gives you that "feel good" vibe because you're the one that has to like it, not us.

 

[Gundog]

I would go with the synthetic I don't think they use the best wood. Pictures I have seen of used ones always seem to have dings in the wood and although I don't have one or have ever held one from the pictures it looks like they used a spray finish on the wood because the dings always look to show very light colored wood in the dinged area. I don't know for a fact they use a spray finish but it looks like it from the pictures I have seen. The synthetic stock versions are cheaper you could then add a better stock later and have both.

Mike

 

[BareBones]

I lamented over the same quandary myself standing in your same shoes. Here was my reasoning, depending on where your making your purchase from, both stocks are probably going to be the same price which was the case in my situation, so there was no upfront cost comparison. 

I've read that there is flexing in the synth stocks forearm, I intended to mount a Harris bipod so that was a bit of a concern to me. 

Like you, I like the traditional look of a wood stock, but I'm not opposed to black synthetic either and I know I wouldn't tear up if I bumped a synthetic stock, but I know if I ding a wood stock I'm my own worst enemy. 

Then I looked at the cost of buying just a bare wood stock versus buying a bare synthetic stock and that is what made up my mind. The cost of just buying the wood stock is double the cost of the synthetic one, so I ordered the MROD and thought I would possibly order a bare synthetic stock later on if the rifle panned out for me. So far I'm having such accuracy issues that the stock has been the least of my concerns. 

 

[JDShapp]

Made the decision of going with wood for a .25 marauder. So far I'm having fairly good luck out of it using JSB's and H&N barracudas. I'll need more time to get things sorted out sight wise, but so far I'm able to hit a 20oz soda bottle 5/5 times at 40 yards. That's good enough for its intended purpose of dropping squirrels. Found that using a double rifle plano case was the best option for storing and transporting for the moment, so the wood is staying in decent shape.

 

[billydjann]

Chip
Does Crossman offer replacement camo stocks....
I have a black syn. that I would love to change to camo....

 

[BareBones]

I saw all three bare camo stocks in the Crosman Outlet a week or two ago, I don't recall the exact price, but I want to say $79.--

I looked just just now and they are back in the regular airgun accessories section for $99, here is the link to the page all three where on: 
http://www.crosman.com/airguns/airgun-accessories?p=8

 

[billydjann]

Thanks BareBones
I looked twice on the site and could not find them..... 
I must be blind......