CharlesP Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 I have, after a lot of thought, decided to acquire a Beretta Outlander. I'm happy with my chosen barrel length, I know which chokes I'll but, but I'm completely stumped on the question of "Wood or Synthetic?" The Outlander is a low-price model, of course, and it's not a gun on which gold inlay, rich engraving, or highly figured walnut will be found. In fact it's functional rather than pretty, which is fine by me. The wood stock is oiled rather than varnished (or God forbid "hydrographically enhanced") which is a plus, but for some reason it doesn't come with a stock spacer unlike the plastic version, which I fell I may need. I know such a thing is cheap, but like the supermarket advert says 'every little helps!" Both wood and synthetic versions are identically priced. Can anyone tell me how well a synthetic stock on one of these lasts compared to wood? Does the chequering stay crisp as long? Does the surface of a synthetic stock degrade with use or time? With an oiled wood stock a wipe with suitable oil can work wonders - is there a suitable dressing for a synthetic on or does it simply not need it? I'll be using the gun for clays and maybe pigeons; it'll have several thousand shots through it each year. Any views on this? I simply can't decide... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 I'd go with synthetic I have both, in fact two 410's with nice wooden stocks, one received a scratch, and I still see it every time I pick the gun up, synthetic you dont tend to worry about as much, it's been covered in rain,mud,blood a simple wipe down and it looks like new again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pull2007 Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 get wood mate looks looks better at a clay ground oiled stocks are easy to maintain rub down with a very fine wire wool when looking dull then hand rub with a decent stock oil over time you get a deep rich finish looks great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 synthetic looks better, both my pump actions are syn, easy to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolkngood Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 I have, after a lot of thought, decided to acquire a Beretta Outlander. I'm happy with my chosen barrel length, I know which chokes I'll but, but I'm completely stumped on the question of "Wood or Synthetic?" The Outlander is a low-price model, of course, and it's not a gun on which gold inlay, rich engraving, or highly figured walnut will be found. In fact it's functional rather than pretty, which is fine by me. The wood stock is oiled rather than varnished (or God forbid "hydrographically enhanced") which is a plus, but for some reason it doesn't come with a stock spacer unlike the plastic version, which I fell I may need. I know such a thing is cheap, but like the supermarket advert says 'every little helps!" Both wood and synthetic versions are identically priced. Can anyone tell me how well a synthetic stock on one of these lasts compared to wood? Does the chequering stay crisp as long? Does the surface of a synthetic stock degrade with use or time? With an oiled wood stock a wipe with suitable oil can work wonders - is there a suitable dressing for a synthetic on or does it simply not need it? I'll be using the gun for clays and maybe pigeons; it'll have several thousand shots through it each year. Any views on this? I simply can't decide... Baby wipes are all you need for synthetic stocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 I have the synthetic outlander and love it. Easy to keep clean ,no worries getting it soaking wet and dirty with pigeon blood over it etc But also just as happy on the clay ground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samboy Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 My Outlander is synthetic for the field and my Miroku is wood for the clay ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 My beretta semi is synthetic and it get used in the field or the river bank - I just wash the mud off it occasionally, job jobbed. If you're going for a semi and using it in the field I'd always go synthetic - I understand some of the 'wood' finishes aren't as durable as they should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 Obviously the choice of Plastic or wood is a personal preference. Having totally reworked my Miroku stock from baked varnish stuff to an oiled finish confirms my own preference for wood. It sort of glows and breathes. It does get quite dirty in current weather conditions and is easy to clean and a regular thin application of oil keeps it looking good. Whereas, for me, plastic is dull, and unattractive. Wood every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neillfrbs Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 wood does look nice ,on the clay ground or stood at a peg .but i think plastic is far more practical for the hunter . could not imagine tacking a wooden stock gun out on the foreshore .and all my rifles have plastic . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 Pick them both up, they will feel quite different even though they are the same gun. I chose the synthetic but I pigeon shoot more than clay shoot, you will be doing it the other way round so wood would be fine if that's what feels better for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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