Circle M-Brand Buttstock Rifle Cartridge Holder
When being fortunate enough to be actively researching the purchase
of a new Firearm; there is the Gambit of things to consider. Myself I
Do not subscribe to the all to Common throwaway society we are
surrounded by today. Building products and parts with a known
limited lifespan or cosmetics products Designed to look good, robust
and functional but are not suited for actual dedicated use and have no
expected longevity. I like to Think that Items we Invest in, Our
Firearms. If taken Good care of, and maintained with diligence should
last the average persons lifetime, until they can be handed off into
another. So what are you to do when after your Major purchase the
options in accessories you are offered to compliment your lifetime
purchase at seemingly Every Chain sporting goods store, are designed
and build to be thrown away with a shorter lifespan than the gun? Lets
find a better option.
In preparation for hunting season each year, I take note of
the things from the previous years hunting experiences that would
have been handy or useful to have. Things that were unnecessary
and not used. How many of us have one of these Generic Universal fit,
Elastic or stretchy material and open one size fits all caliber
ammunition loops? As an alternative to this there are a few pretty
common options and average from $15-$30
I have used an Ammo wallet, attached to
my hunting belt. It closes and keeps Cartridges clean and quiet.
However when you load the wallet full it bulges out and is one more
thing for sticks, branches, dirt and grass to get stuck in on and all
around when your out in the thick. It almost always ends up in my
pack, and is one more thing to have to be remembered or to put on
the prep checklist.
For years My Hunting partner has used a thick
neoprene elastic stock cuff with an extra flap and hook loop closure to
cover the ammunition. I asked him years ago where he
found it?.. it was a generic in store lucky find. So lucky me. Now, having
the experience of wasting money on several kinds of Stock/Cuff/ammo
solutions. Losing expensive premium hunting ammunition. Losing
your backup rounds in the backcountry with your life or others relying
on your gear could end up costing more than just money. Being A-
round down, facing dangerous game. Is not something anyone really
wants to challenge? I have been looking for an alternative solution.
Something for storing extra ammunition that wont get lost and is that
is sure to last more than a few seasons! Having such an extensive list
of unrealistic criteria, someone would think {there’s got to be a better
mousetrap out there what with the Interweb and all..} and so I
searched and waited for something to gain that edge over the retail
market.
Circle M-Brand I stumbled upon their Custom crafted Stock
Cuffs built to your specifications. Designed and Fit for Your Specific
Firearm stock pattern and caliber! WOW. Ok so… how much right? On
average most custom optimized Cuffs seem to range around the $45-
$60+ depending on How many options you choose. Now I’ve spent
more over the last few years, trying out the other throw away options
first. I ordered 2 different styles of Cuff for different hunting and
shooting purpose. I hunt with a Tikka T3 Lite as my main gun. I wanted
a Cuff that would hold secure my extra ammunition without being
cumbersome. But be secure enough for peace of mind keeping those
Cold .300 Winchester magnum rocket’s all bundled up to prevent a
round working free on the move. I gave some basic input as what I
was looking for; searching through their examples of work done it was
easy to choose an outline that would fit the image of the product
created in my head. I ordered a second cuff(rifle shell stock holder) for my Marlin 1895GS
something to match the look and feel of the lever action. I asked for
Open Loop cartridge holders and the option of my favorite animal to
be heat engraved. I was able to pick from a good selection of actual
Images of the leather used. Leather selection was very good and
ranged in thickness textures and colour.
A short turn around and The Cuff’s were In the Mail for only
the Actual costs of Shipping. I have to say that what arrived was top
quality work, and item’s I’m now more than excited to show off.
Brandon and Candice Miles create these cuffs From their own designs
and are really artists in their craft. Each image engraved by hand is an
original freehand creation. The quality of leather is far better than I
had anticipated for; both cuffs ordered came super soft, and thick
high quality leather that smells amazing! I laced up the first cuff using
the supplied ample quantity of strong leather lace giving plenty of
options to play with the lay of strands. When you cinch it up be
creative and tie exactly how you want it. I straight laced the Marlin,
it took some time and 3 attempts before got it right and I cut
the extra length of lace off. The pattern locks the strands together
under the cuff and is not easy to come loose on its own. For the T3, I
laced the cuff with the Zipper method. When lacing up, the options
and patterns are almost endless.
The cuff for the Tikka is a rich darker colour with beautiful
texture and craftsmanship. I asked for the cuff to be made with a
secure closing, Using 2 button snaps to secure the double flap cover;
does not give room for a round to come loose. The Button snaps are
securely riveted to the leather and do not have any audible rattle after
being secured. This cuff tailored for my Mountain Hunting Rifle will
see more extremes in weather. Being a resident of the Pacific
Northwest, we should expect at least some rain on a hunting trip to be
a safe bet. I asked Brandon, What he recommended to protect the
leather: “The leather we use is oil tanned, and still contains a lot of
the oil in the leather. The leather is marketed to make chaps and
chinks, so the leather is already intended to be a weather barrier
for the cowboy. I doubt that any treatment would be necessary
unless you live in the mountains and you’re in harsh conditions
daily. The seasonal rain will not hurt it besides maybe a color
change (possibly.) ” I might use saddle care products in the future to
protect from the extreme elements and the possibility of repeatedly
saturating the leather, If I need to. Care and maintenance of these
may require a couple extra steps but the benefit is worth the time in
my opinion. Both cuff ammo loops are made from the same thickness
material as the main body of the cuff and are securely stitched using a
heavy-duty thread each casing fits snug and secure. As the rustic cuffs
age, patina and wear these products will endure far more abuse with
much better results than that of the alternative. The scars and scuffs
will tell a story, rather than be the reason it’s not functional any
longer. Thanks Circle M-Brand, for the craftsmanship and pride you
take in all the products you create. I spoke with Brandon and Candace
about their products and one thing struck out to me worth sharing.
Brandon asked me to let him know if there was anything. Seriously
anything that was negative about the finished products. His words: “If
I can, I want to make a good product better when its needed.” I
don’t doubt that he meant it. So many products today are out the on
the floor and only backed by whichever store has the best return
policy and that’s where support ends. It’s comforting to know that the
customer comes first, that there is enough care and effort put into
each and every product. A company that stands behind and is
committed to the quality of their work. Each and every peace created
at Circle M-Brand Comes out made by hand with a story behind it.
Using natural materials that are designed and built to be used, last
And Look amazing. Excellent Work folks.
To find out More about Circle M-Brand and the products they offer,
Check them out at http://www.circlem-brand.com
