Thumbhole Stock Okay for a Field Target Rifle?

[oldwolf]

Looking at field target match photos on the web, I notice that not a lot of spring piston rifles wear thumbhole stocks. Most appear to have the traditional, no thumb hole, high comb design.
I am asking because I was considering a HW97TK (with thumbhole stock). However, if there is a disadvantage to the thumbhole design, I'd like to hear about it.

One potential related issue that crosses my mind with the HW97TK, is if it is awkward to turn the rifles safety off, seeing as your thumb also needs to manipulate around the thumbhole. Well, that was an awkward sentence, but I hope you get my point. Thanks.

[Scotchmo]

Looking at field target match photos on the web, I notice that not a lot of spring piston rifles wear thumbhole stocks. Most appear to have the traditional, no thumb hole, high comb design.
I am asking because I was considering a HW97TK (with thumbhole stock). However, if there is a disadvantage to the thumbhole design, I'd like to hear about it.

One potential related issue that crosses my mind with the HW97TK, is if it is awkward to turn the rifles safety off, seeing as your thumb also needs to manipulate around the thumbhole. Well, that was an awkward sentence, but I hope you get my point. Thanks.

I have a thumbhole stock on my favorite FT piston gun. I like it. The safety is inside the trigger guard on this rifle, so no issues in that respect.

[TwiceHorn]

I suspect that most of the photos you see, the shooters bought their rifles before thumbholes became common, that is, before the KTs were introduced.

We have a pretty good new shooter in Dallas that uses a KT.   A very good shooter uses a Diana 56 TH, which has a thumbhole.

Most of the custom stock makers sell thumbhole FT stocks.