What is Stock (firearm)?
[[File:Modern Hunting Rifle.jpg|thumb|250px|right|{{center|The [[wood]] portion of the rifle is called the stock}}]] A '''stock''', also known as a '''shoulder stock''', a '''buttstock''', or simply a '''butt''' is a part of a [[rifle]] or other [[firearm]], to which the [[barrel (weapons)|barrel]] and [[firing mechanism]] are attached. It is held firmly against the shooter's [[shoulder]] when [[Gunshot|firing]] the gun. Stocks are also found on [[crossbow]]s, though a crossbow stock is properly called a ''tiller''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=tiller |title=Online Etymology Dictionary, tiller}}</ref> The stock provides a means for the shooter to firmly support the device and easily [[wikt:aim#Verb|aim]] it. The stock also transmits [[recoil]] (the shock of firing the weapon) into the shooter's shoulder.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_recoil.htm |title=Rifle Recoil |author=Chuck Hawks}}</ref> The term '''stock''' dates to 1571 and comes from the [[German language|Germanic]] word ''stoc'', meaning [[Trunk (botany)|tree trunk]].<ref name=Etyomn>{{cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=stock |title=Online Etymology Dictionary, stock}}</ref> This refers to the wooden nature of the gunstock.<ref name=Etyomn/> == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Firearm components]]