Anyone still shooting a BAM XS-B-26-2?

[desmobob]

Back in 2017, I bought a Mike Melick fully-tuned .22 version with that high-comb thumbhole stock.  It is very nicely tuned and plenty accurate, but it's hard for me to shoot it accurately any way other than off the bench because the dimensions of that stock just don't work for me.  Because of this, it has spent the vast majority of its life in the gun cabinet.

I got it out today to do some shooting and the old love/hate feelings quickly returned.  I just sent a message to Mr. Melick to see if there are any options out there to re-stock this rifle.  If not, I may go after it with a wood rasp and see what happens (and I bet it won't be pretty!).

[lillysdad621]

you are correct... those are fantastic rifles. The high comb was generally cut down and refinished, but if you did not have a wood working friend or the skills, a set of high mounts would solve your dilemma. I Still own one, a sporter stock one. I detuned it to shoot 11.2 fpe and replaced the barrel with a HW80 fullsize barrel (19 in and then some). After working the trigger within an inch of its life (it breaks at 8 oz.) i made essentially a copy of a rifle that is almost impossible to get, The marksman model 56. It is a fantastic, smooth, quiet and incredibly accurate rifle that will shoot .88 in group avg at 45 yards. I absolutely love them. would like to find a .22, even with the high comb. Ever thought of selling yours?

[desmobob]

No thoughts of selling it; just thoughts of perfecting it.   

[lillysdad621]

great canvasses for very nice rifles... don't be afraid to take that stock to a belt grinder... it will make short work from that high comb. If you ever get bored of it, keep me in mind

[Whirligig]

I have two in .177. They're great guns. With the right pellets, they are easily two of the most accurate guns in my collection, and I have, by any standard, a very large collection of airguns.

[lefteyeshot]

I bought one from M/M a few years ago with the high comb and a full tune. At that time Mike had extra thumb hole stocks with a low comb for $25 and I bought one just incase. But I found my RWS 320 clone fit perfect in the stock so I use tall see thru ring on the high comb B26-2. And yes it's a tac driver

[desmobob]

Thanks for all the feedback.

As quick and easy a solution as it is, I'm not a fan of high rings.   I'm really not that bad of a woodworker so I'm thinking I'll be customizing my OEM high-comb stock as a winter project at some point. (I'd love to see photos from those who have gone that route.)  Plus, I'm still waiting to hear from Mr. Melick.  Who knows... maybe some low-comb stocks have shown up somewhere and are available.

Happy New Year,
Bob

[mikeiniowa]

Give me a call 515-924-3699...have a thumbhole in stock...

[Whirligig]

Give me a call 515-924-3699...have a thumbhole in stock...

Oh, man... What do you have in stock?

Is your website updated to show what you currently selling?

-W

[rdtricks]

I have two of these wonderful rifles; one in .22 and the other in .177.  I spent some time with a ruler, wood rasp and sanding blocks to get the .22 stock as shown.  I worked slowly to remove wood and get the fit as close as possible for my eyes.  You can do the same.  Just take your time and compare your changes to another stock that really fits you best.

[desmobob]

Nice job, Michael.

It's on my winter project list.  Mr. Melick told me that if I planned to refinish the stock after alteration, oven cleaner makes removing the original stock finish easiest.  He also recommended using a colored finish rather than attempting to stain and then put a clear finish over it.  He said the wood in these stocks doesn't take stain well.  I chatted with him on the phone and he's a very nice and very helpful guy.

[rdtricks]

Thanks for the complement Bob.  The finish on my .22 B26-2 is nothing more than a complete sanding job with Ballistol then rubbed into the wood bringing out the grain.  On other rifles I have finished, once the sanding is done a quick coat of Minwax Oil-Based Pre-Stain has kept the colored stains from streaking or blotching.

[fatmatic]

I was just looking for one of these to buy… if anyone has one let me know…

[Bad News Beeman]

I too missed the boat on these, before my airgunning began. Wish Xisico would brought back the Weihrauch clones, their current offering is lackluster.

[Acapulco]

I was able to snag one from Mike a few years back. I still have it NIB.

I've always liked the Xisco stuff.

[WD Feese]

A scroll saw works wonders on these.  I cut mine down and use a peep sight.