CW, great pics, and timely as I'm going to be ordering from GI very soon. I can't decide between the stinger, the rollover or the Monte Carlo though, and hope you don't mind a few questions. Thanks
Sure, love to help. many of your questions are more personal. Meaning my hand is different them yours and what I like may also be different. But I'll tell you what I think...
How comfortable is the thumbhole stock on the stinger? Fit your hand good?
Its fairly comfortable. But my hands are large and my thumb muscle and knuckle hit before I get a comfortable grip. This could easily be opened up, but it would necessitate completely refinishing the stock. Not something I want to undertake at this time. Overall, I like the H&R thumbholes better.
If you had to in a pinch, how hard would it be to shoot the stinger left handed?
I guess you could do it, but it wouldn't be easy or comfortable.
Do you feel less recoil with the stinger, or is it easier to hold on target?
Yes, its heavier and has a higher comb. Keeping the barrel more in line with your shoulder. So muzzle rise and perceived recoil are both reduced.
Since the bolt connecting the stock to the receiver is in the thumbhole (right?) is there still a draw bolt hold drilled in the main part of the stock for the steel bar for weight balancing?
YES. I'm sure this too could be done. But remember this stock already is heavier then any handi stock, so adding weight will not be what first comes to mind.
Currently I do not have this stock mounted on a rifle. I find it a bit too cumbersome and awkward as a hunting stock. It is nicely finished. It brings a heft not usually felt in a H&R and I do like it. But its not fast to get to the hammer and opening the action required some additional adjustments. I used to shoot allot of offhand targets and the anschutz style grip is nice for that.
I think it would be fine for a target gun or maybe a long range varminter. But if fast target acquisition is in order, you need to look for a different stock.
CW