We are always talking here about technology bringing us interesting new options in our shooting. And today is another one of those. 3D printing has made all kinds of new things possible, and its also brought a bunch of trash to the market as well. Today we are looking at something I think brings the affordability from 3D printing, while still offering a useful product. Today we dive into the rimfire world and the Crickett LP Target Rifle Chassis by Layer Form Precision. This is a 3D printed target rifle chassis made for the very popular Cricket rifles made by Keystone Sporting Arms. If you are looking to get something to improve the rifle for your shooting beginner, you might like this.
The LP Target Rifle Chassis brings many of the great target chassis features into an affordable chassis for your young shooter. It can be ordered in a variety of different colors you can choose from. Starting at the rear, the chassis has all the major adjustments. An adjustable length of pull is a must have for kids, and you can easily adjust this chassis for nearly any kid big enough to shoot.
kids as little as 7-8 years old can handle this rifle well
Also you can adjust the butt angle and height, allowing you to customize the fit to little shoulders. And for those learning to use a rifle scope, there is also an adjustable comb height to get the best sight picture.
the fully adjustable buttstock of the chassis
The buttstock itself can be removed, allowing the rifle to be used as a bolt action pistol if you desire. And up front you can add either a picatinny section to attach a bipod, or there is even a larger extended picatinny/ARCA rail that can go up front.
Features
3D-printed polymer construction
Designed for Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett rifles
Adjustable length of pull
Adjustable buttstock height and angle
Adjustable cheekpiece height
Removable buttstock for bolt-action pistol configuration
Multiple color options
Optional Picatinny bipod mounting section
Optional extended Picatinny/ARCA front rail
Uses factory action screw for rifle attachment
Compatible with factory scope mounting rail
Starting price of $59.99
Also available for Savage Rascal and Winchester Xpert rifles
Interface
Crickett rifles are not particularly famous for their rigid stock to action connection. But the LFP Chassis uses the factory screw to attach the action to the chassis. A single screw goes up through the chassis and threads into the action. Not exactly what precision riflemen are used to, but it works good enough.
the Cricket rifle is held in by a single screw
For testing, I installed a Crickett EX17HMR that I bought for my son nearly two decades ago. This model came with a scope mounting rail, so I didn’t need to use the one that Layer Form Precision makes. Mounted to it was a small Simmons 3-9×40 scope, its been there for years taking many squirrels and Marmots. I also attached a Harris Bipod to the front of the chassis for front support.
the M-Lok forend can accept a variety of accessories
Shooting the LFP Chassis
I recruited one of my nephews to shoot the rifle, as he fit the perfect profile of a young shooter in need of such a product. And of course, like any little boy he was eager to get his hands on the rifle.
I’ve always liked the single shot safe operation of Cricket rifles. You can hand a child one round, and once fired you know its safe until you hand them another
Supported shooting was excellent, which came as no surprise. Because this rifle features a slightly heavier barrel than typical Cricketts, it was a bit much for him to hold up and shoot standing. Shooting the rifle suppressed with the Anechoic PipSqueak 22 suppressor also added a little length, but only 1.5 ounces. Suppressed shooting is well worth it with kids.
every budding marksman should keep his Pop-its in his pocket
As we sat down to shoot, we adjusted the length of pull to its shortest length which was just enough for PJ. The polymer construction of the chassis wasn’t as forgiving as a rubber butt pad, but these rifles don’t recoil either so its no big deal. Adjusting the comb so he could see through the scope cleanly was out next step.
This is one of those things that can make a bigger difference than people realize. A young shooter doesn’t necessarily know what a proper shooting position should feel like. If the rifle doesn’t fit, they’ll often compensate by moving their head or body into an awkward position.
Once those had been adjusted to fit him, PJ was comfortable behind the rifle and even looked as though his form was learned. But in fact it was just getting everything in the right spot that had made his form better.
Pros and Cons
Lets be frank as we discuss these pros and cons here. First of all, not every rifle that goes in this stock is going to be a sharpshooter. Its more about learning the proper way to hold, operate and shoot a rifle. Thats what many of these rifles made for children are for, and the LFP Chassis only enhances the experience. Particularly if you are trying to raise a PRS champion.
Does 3D printing have the same quality as other stocks? In a word; sorta. Obviously it is not as rigid as big-boy chassis, and sure there are plenty of molding marks and textures. But for the maybe few years that you child might be using this product I think it will stand up just fine. Don’t expect it is going to survive falling out of a moving vehicle or anything like that. But it is perfectly tough enough to stand up to a kid hauling around the woods chasing squirrels.
And it certainly will last long enough to serve its purpose as a learning tool for your youth shooter. Helping them to understand a proper cheek weld and eye relief. And certainly looks good too, giving your shooting protégé the feeling that they too have a precise rifle like Dad’s.
Value
To be fair, the starting price of $59.99 is a small one to pay for enhancing your kids learning experience. And giving a better training session is priceless, making your time and ammo better spent. There are other models for the Savage Rascal and the Winchester Xpert rifles as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if by the time you read this there are other options as well.
My Verdict
I think for the price this chassis is a slam-dunk. Most any child who is looking to shoot their youth rifle is going to have a better experience and fit when using this affordable little chassis. You can order one of these chassis directly from the Layer Form Precision website, go over there and give it a try.
My first real rifle, used a laminate wood stock. Not too long after, the fiberglass craze took off, as did the mainstreaming the entire custom rifle industry. It was a radical decade or two where aluminum bedding blocks eventually turned into complete chassis with carbon and other materials added in. Big growth from many companies involved was inevitable, as was the next logical step. Today we are talking about one of those products, The Grayboe Universal Mini Chassis system, and the stocks that go with it. A relatively new product offering, that offers all the precision of an aluminum chassis, and the fit and feel of a synthetic composite stock. Because of the modularity of the UMC stock system, I decided to combine two options into a single review.
Grayboe’s founder comes from the McMillan family, yes that one. I expect his exposure to the stock industry, as well as time spent behind rifles and in service influenced the company’s direction.
What Grayboe has done with their Universal Mini Chassis (UMC) is brilliant for several reasons. Everything in the gun industry is going to modular designs; multi-caliber rifles, interchangeable suppressor hubs, serialized fire control units for pistols and so on. Grayboe has brought that premise into the rifle stock market with their UMC stock design.
The UMC is exactly what it sounds like; a minimized chassis that incorporates mounting the action against a custom machined fit. Allowing a perfectly supported action while supporting the magazine and trigger within.
the Grayboe Universal Mini Chassis (UMC), this one specific to the CVA Cascade short action. I also have one for the Remington 700 short action
The UMC incorporated AICS magazines even for actions that used proprietary magazines in their stock configuration. They also have little options like adjustable magazine release levers. Weight of the UMC can vary depending on what action/inlay you choose, but its around 14 ounces.
the UMC once installed in the stock is indifferent from a traditionally bedded rifle stock
The UMC is only as big as it needs to be to accomplish those features, because it is then bolted into one of Grayboe’s many stock options. Currently these are the actions with a Grayboe UMC option.
Remington 700 Short Action
Remington 700 Long Action
Tikka T3 / T3x
Howa 1500 Short Action
Howa 1500 Long Action
Ruger American Short Action
Ruger American Long Action
Savage 110 Short Action
Savage 110 Long Action
Mossberg Patriot
CVA Cascade Short Action
The Stock Options
Grayboe’s composite fiber and impact resistant polymer stocks incorporate the light weight and strength of composites, married to all the features that shooters want. They have a variety of different stocks designed for different purposes and budgets in mind.
Core – Competition focused
Flagstaff – Hunting application lightweight
Halo – Hunting/crossover
Phoenix 2- Hunting/crossover
Renegade 2 (Unreleased at publication)
All of these stocks accept the UMC using two screws. That means if you have two different Grayboe stocks, you can transfer your rifle from one to the other in under a minute if you’re quick. All the UMC’s have the same external footprint, fitting any of the Grayboe stocks. And they make UMC’s for most of the popular rifle actions.
torquing in one of my CVA Cascade rifles into the UMC
The Innovative Bit
So you might have already imagined, if you have a couple UMC’s, and a few stocks, you can mix and match. This brings options to the American rifleman who lusts for customization and modularity. You could use the exact same stock on your Ruger American 7PRC elk hunting rifle and your favorite Tikka 22-250 varmint rifle. And they can be changed out quick and without needing to re-zero the rifle.
Unboxing Grayboe Stock
Grayboe recently released a UMC for the CVA Cascade short action, and since I am currently on a Cascade kick it was perfect timing. And as a glutton for modular rifle systems, I tested both the Grayboe Flagstaff and Core stocks with the CVA UMC. My two CVA Cascade rifles would both benefit from the Grayboe system. The exact rifles used are the CVA Cascade SB .65CM and the CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter 25CM, you can read the reviews of the individual rifles here.
You can buy the Grayboe stocks with or without the UMC of your choice. The different stocks come with different accessories, depending on the stock. For example, the Core stock came with spacers to adjust the length of pull. Both stocks came with M-Lok slots under the forearm to allow attachment of accessories like bipods and ARCA rails. They also have QD cups to attach slings both front and rear.
The UMC comes with hardware to attach the rifle action, as well as connecting the UMC to the stock itself. As well as some simple instructions to assemble the whole thing.
Features
These two stocks have some differing features as they are built for very divergent purposes. The Flagstaff is built with hunters in mind, while the Core is built for competitive and professional shooters. They share the footprint of the UMC, and the same stylings but are otherwise pretty different.
here is one of my custom Remington 700’s mounted in the UMC/Flagstaff
The Flagstaff
Keeping the weight down on the Flagstaff was obviously a priority, but it is still pretty feature rich all things considered. On the flat-bottomed forend you will find four M-Lok slots for attaching things like ARCA rails or your favorite bipod. It also has QD sling cups on the bottom front and rear to attach your favorte sling.
the CVA Cascade LRH 25Creedmoor in the Flagstaff stock
The textured grip is built at a 35 degree angle, and comb height is fairly traditional. I found that the polymer Flagstaff has a slight compressed fit when installing the UMC, adding a bit of a squeeze to it. Whereas in the carbon fiber Core, it dropped in like a machined fit.
The Core
By comparison, the Core stock has a lot going on. It can be had in either fiberglass or carbon, with a significant weight difference between them. Since it has a focus on the professional shooter, there are many added little features.
The length of pull can be adjusted using provided spacers, moving the gel recoil pad to fit the shooter. The comb height can be adjusted on the fly with a thumb-screw, keeping the luxuriously soft cheek-rest at the perfect height for your sight picture. On the bottom of the buttstock you will find a traditional butt-hook to keep the recoil pad in your shoulder pocket.
spacers are used to adjust length of pull on the Core stock
On the right side of the stock, there are threaded mounting bosses to install a HopticUSA cartridge quiver. An accessory that has become quite popular over the last few years. Up front the Core also features M-Lok slots under the broad and flat forend. It also has multiple QD cups on all sides of the stock so you can carry it different ways. The barrel channel is cut wide, to allow heavy barrel profiles often used in competition.
Grayboe Core
Grayboe Flagstaff
Weight
4.5lb Fiberglass/6lb Carbon
2.5lbs
Material
Fiberglass or Carbon fiber
Impact resistant polymer
Barrel Channel
Under 1.330 inches
Sendero under .925
Sling QD Cups
7 total front and rear
Front and rear
M-Lok Slots
Full length on forend
4 M-Lok slots on forend
Length of Pull
12.75 min Plus .25” spacers
13.5
Comb Height
Adjustable (tooless)
Fixed
Overall Length
32.5-inches
31.5-inches
my custom Remington 700 .223 Remington setup in the Core stock. Its heavy 1.30 straight taper barrel barely fits but it shoots amazing in this setup
Installation
Since I got the system for my CVA Cascade rifles, I would end up installing two different rifles in various configurations. And swap both of them back and forth between the different stocks to get additional experience. I also got my hands on one of the Remington 700 SA UMC’s, which has also allowed me to use these stocks on several of my custom 700’s.
One of the first intricacies that I noticed was a necessity by the manufacturer to make each UMC fit the different action options. For example; the CVA Cascade action screws are in front of and just behind the magwell. This required an engineering solution because a traditional trigger guard like on typical floorplates would be right on top of the rear action screw.
here you can see why the trigger guard needs to be removable, the rear action screw is right under it
Unlike tang-mounted rear action screws like on a Remington 700 that go behind the trigger guard. So Grayboe’s solution was to install the trigger guard after marrying the UMC to the action. The trigger-guard incorporating the mag release are pinned in place after attaching the UMC and action.
the two roll pins that attach the trigger guard and mag release assembly. It must be attached AFTER installing the action to the UMC
I was right to assume that other UMC’s for other actions have a regular trigger guard as part of it, as you can see on my Remington 700 SA UMC below. The trigger guard is built into the UMC as the rear action screw can be accessed without removing it.
Perhaps there are several differences like this depending on the different actions. The UMC can then be dropped right into any of the compatible stocks. There are two cap-screws that connect the UMC and the stock that once torqued down, make it into one solid structure.
tightening the UMC into the Flagstaff stock
It really wasn’t very hard at all to figure out the installation, or to swap them between the two stock options I had. I hadn’t even gotten to the range yet and I was already contemplating other UMC’s for some of my other rifles.
After the installations process, its simply a matter of adding the accessories you would like for the stock. For example, on the Core stock, I installed one of my Hoptic USA cartridge quivers on the side. I was surprised that this little bonus was added, and that they even put stub-screws in to protect the threads from getting damaged or filled with crud.
Installing my HopticUSA 25 Creedmoor cartridge Quiver. inset: removing the stub-screws
Additionally, I decided to add an Area 419 ARCA lock rail to the Core stock. It is already pretty heavy (which is common for competition guns) so adding a little more wasn’t a big deal. I might add a lightweight short ARCA rail to the Flagstaff, but that one I’m trying to keep light in hopes of carrying it this hunting season.
all AICS magazines I used worked great with the Grayboe UMC
Shooting with Grayboe Stocks
Putting the Grayboe stock system to work, would take place over various trips to the range in open country of the Rocky Mountains. I like to practice where I hunt, so the Flagstaff would get used in the same rugged country where we chase deer and elk. The Core on the other hand isn’t exactly a hunters best choice, but it too would get used for some long range shooting in big country.
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Ergonomics
I used just about every option there is when it comes to stocks and chassis. I don’t consider myself to be particularly picky as in general I like most of them. The Grayboe Flagstaff has a pretty traditional feel to it with some added features for handling.
Grayboe Flagstaff
The grip area has a textured pad for added purchase. And the forearm of the stock has two finger grooves running down the side, this gives your fingers something to hold on to when carrying by the stock. The rubber buttpad is nice, sticking where it should.
I ended up using a Triad Tactical stock pack on the back to get better comb height. This turned out to be a suitable situation for my hunting purposes. I also used a few different AICS pattern magazines, all of which worked great.
Grayboe Core
Grayboe’s Core stock on the other hand feels a bit more like a nice leather couch compared to the Flagstaff. That should come as no surprise as most competition focused stocks have many comfort features.
shooting from the Two Vets Tripod attached by ARCA rail system
The adjustable comb is as luxurious as it is practical. Making the rifle fit you is quick and simple, and a comfortable place to rest your cheek while shooting. The vertical grip feels fantastic, keeping your finger perfectly presented to the trigger. The magazine release of the UMC is easily reached with your trigger finger, and has enough resistance to avoid being accidentally engaged.
It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if there was a touch more texture in the right spots, as most guns put into this stock are going to be heavier. A nice texture on the grip areas would help for holding tight. It was nice to carry on a sling though, without it dragging or pulling at clothing.
The wide front end of the Core stock allows you to rest the rifle on any surface it will fit, and get a good rest. Once I’d added the ARCA rail, it was even bigger around which could be a challenge for small handed individuals.
Putting the soft gel recoil pad into your shoulder feels quite suave. My two CVA’s don’t recoil very hard but if you had one that did, this recoil pad would definitely soften the blow. I also like the butthook under the stock, it allows you to pull the stock into your shoulder when you need it.
Both of these stocks are quite rigid, giving that stiff platform to launch your shots from. I was surprised to find out the Flagstaff was made from polymer, I initially thought they were both carbon fiber. But even though it is made of a “lesser” material, I was quite happy with it. Minimal flex of the stock make the Flagstaff a great option, and its polymer production is likely why it is more affordable than the carbon options.
The Grayboe Core stock takes it to the next level, with all the best materials and features. Everything from the finish of the stock, to the supplied fasteners and little instruction cards to help those mechanically challenged out there. The soft parts of the the Core are so nice I’d hate to take them hunting, as they might get sweat soaked or even torn hiking through brush. It does feel built like tank, if you ran out of ammo you could certainly beat your antagonists into a fine paste with it.
the Universal Mini Chassis
Machine work as seen in the Universal Mini Chassis is excellent. All the aluminum parts were nicely anodized and smooth. Both of my rifles fit perfectly into the UMC, and functioned flawlessly. You can tell they spent time designing each different UMC to interact with the action it was meant to fit. And in the CVA case, makes them work perfectly with AICS magazines.
Durability
Grayboe offers a lifetime warranty on their products, which is very comforting. It covers both craftsmanship and accidental damage for those who like to leave their rifle propped against truck tires. If you do happen to use your stock to beat someone into pâté and wear some of the finish off however, that would be considered normal wear. So don’t expect to abuse the warranty.
The only thing I found during my time with these Grayboe stocks that made me pause for durability concerns was the trigger guard. I could see somebody not being careful enough and damaging or breaking the trigger guard when in stalling it in the UMC. Again this might just be the CVA option as others are built into the UMC.
Value
If you browse some of the popular custom stock options you can find stocks that cost significantly more, and some that cost less. The Flagstaff is definitely a more affordable option, with not many less expensive options that offer an aluminum mini chassis.
The Core stock on the other hand has a lot more competition from many of the big names. Even so, the Core is not as expensive as other options. At this level, there is a lot of subjectivity and usually folks can choose based solely on their preference and looks. Many of the Core’s competitors offer similar features, but they don’t offer the modularity. That may be reason enough to choose the Grayboe option.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Comment
Strong and rigid construction
(Core) Can be heavy
Comp guns are heavy so…
Great fit and finish
Trigger guard thing I mentioned
May only be the CVA version
(UMC) Precise machinework
I’d like more exterior texture
For grip areas and in general
Excellent modularity
Huge step up from original equipment
Both stock and magazine system improved
Comfortable to carry and shoot
Excellent warranty
Great value
Great Feature set
M-Lok, QD cups, etc.
the flat bottomed forend of the stocks made it easy to improvise shooting positions
Final Thoughts
Different designs appeal to different individuals tastes, I definitely found the Grayboe products to fit into mine. I really enjoy configurable rifles, and the ability to interchange and customize them. But that is certainly not a requirement, as you can setup you rifle in one of these Grayboe chassis systems and never mess with it.
There is definitely a style to their designs, like any manufacturer. And whether one style or another appeals to you, the function of the Grayboe system is fantastic and innovative. Whether you choose to mix and match as I have, or if you are just looking for a solid stock/chassis to improve your factory rifle these will work great. They are well built, and offer great features for a reasonable price made by Americans right here in America.
Precision Rifles are just my cup of tea, and watching the technology around them progress over the years has been exciting. While they are still relevant, and in many cases beautiful, traditional and wooden rifle stocks are being overtaken by modern chassis systems.
A chassis system essentially serves the same purpose as a rifle stock, but the difference between them is quite stark. Stocks are generally made of wood or a synthetic material like glass filled nylon. Rifle chassis are almost uniformly manufactured from non-organic materials, such as aluminum, plastics, and more and more often from cutting edge composites like carbon fiber. Today we will be looking at the Graham Brother Rifleworks MARC Sport rifle chassis for the Remington 700.
Rifle chassis bring modularity, customizable options, and other modern conveniences to the user’s rifle. As well as providing one of the most important foundations for precise shooting, a rigid and firm structure from which successive shots can be launched with meticulous control. Naturally, modular rifles like the AR-15have been gleaned over, and some of their best features have been merged into precision rifle chassis.
The Graham Brothers MARC Sport Chassis
And that brings us to the current subject, the Yankee Hill Machine MARC Sport Rifle Chassis is one of the latest to join my fold. Yankee Hill has long manufactured AR-15’s and their components, so it seemed a natural progression to build the similar parts of a precision rifle chassis.
YHM has a new division specifically geared towards the precision rifle market, suitably named Graham Brothers Rifleworks, I look forward to see what else they bring to the shooting bench.
The MARC Sport chassis on the tripod
The Remington Model 700 has long enjoyed a position as the one to use for custom rifle builds. As such, most rifle chassis are built to accept the 700’s footprint and its many clones, the MARC Sport is no different. Other footprints such as Savage Long and Short actions are also available as well. And I wouldn’t expect it to end there, surely others like Howa, Tikka, and other popular models will follow.
The MARC Sport comes as just the heart of the chassis, it uses an AR-15 style buffer tube in the back. The simple reasoning behind this is that you can easily attach any buttstock made for the AR-15 family of rifles. The modular design allows the end user to configure the chassis to their liking, an ownership feature that many gun enthusiasts are quick to take advantage of. The chassis also uses AR-15 patterned pistol grips, so you can pick and choose from the bountiful variety of grips to fit your hand and shooting needs.
The handguard of the MARC Sport is similar to an AR-15 freefloat handguard, obviously it attaches differently, but it shares familiar features. The handguard has MLOK slots on all eight facets, this allows the user to add accessories such as bipod mounts, cartridge quivers, support bags, or tripod interfaces, all great accesories for competition shooting.
The handguard attaches via four screws along the center of the chassis, steel thread inserts assure durable strength over time. It also features QD sling cups at the front and rear of the handguard tube. The chassis also has a series of threaded mounting holes along the bottom of the fore-grip area, to attach likely a tripod mount, or the available YHM Arca Swiss rail.
The chassis accepts AICS pattern magazines, I have tried several different manufacturers magazines and they all work perfectly. One suggestion I would give YHM would be perhaps a slightly longer mag release bar, or a wider one. Either option would give the user a better purchase when trying to strip a magazine from it. And if you twisted my arm for another complaint, it might be that the handguard is a little too intrusive in the objective area of the scope. This didn’t allow me to install the sunshade on my scope, not a huge deal, but one you may want to know about.
The MARC Sport chassis will accept both right or left handed actions, it comes with a small adapter plate that uses a screw to hold it in place. The plate is mounted over the unused bolt handle recess on either the right or left side.
The MARC Sport shown with optional Arca Swiss rail, mounted on the tripod.
In the very rear of the chassis is the buffer tube adapter, there are two different options when purchasing the MARC Sport. These are to accept the different types of buffer tubes and the buttstocks that go with them.
My little 16 inch 260 Remington was a perfect fit, the aftermarket trigger also had no issue fitting into the chassis
The chassis is built intuitively, a thumbshelf comfortably bedded in the right place. A comfortable contoured grip area under the center of gravity for carrying, and rounded edges in all the right places. And it comes with screws of the appropriate length to mount your Remington barreled action.
I used one of the many Magpul buttstocks available, mainly because I had them. It was very convenient to have the collapsable buttstock, it made the overall rifle more compact and easy to store. But with so many great options out there, you can surely find one to fit your needs.
Final thoughts
The MARC Sport chassis system is a perfect addition for a good rifle. Most of us love to customize our guns and this chassis allows you to do it at a great price without giving up any quality. It does exactly what a rifle chassis should do, it gives the rifle a solid platform, that the user can adjust and customize to fit his skill level and needs. It has rekindled my love with my custom Remington’s, I have another one finishing up at the gunsmith now, and it too will soon be paired up to the MARC Sport chassis for a little match shooting.
-CBM
2026 Update:
After years and years, I love this little chassis even more. My heavy .223 rifle has been married to it for the last few years, and it has been a match made in heaven. I wish I had bought another.
