Boyds Gunstocks Receives Outstanding Employer Award

by
posted on September 22, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
boyds-gun-stocks.jpg

Boyds Gunstock Industries, a renowned manufacturer of hardwood stocks since 1981, was awarded an Outstanding Private Employer Award—in the large company category—by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Sept. 15. The honor recognizes the firm’s contribution toward improving employment opportunities and independent living for people with disabilities.

Each year, the South Dakota Board of Vocational Rehabilitation, Board of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Statewide Independent Living Council accept nominations for the awards. Recipients in a variety of categories are honored at an annual event at the South Dakota State Capital Building in Pierre, SD.

Boyds Gunstock Industries is located in Mitchell, SD, and delivers gunstocks worldwide. It has more than 100 employees and produces some of the finest aftermarket laminate and traditional wood stocks available today.The founder of the firm, Randy Boyd, retired in January. Today, his son-in-law Rob Carstensen and Dustin Knutson—another longtime company employee—are the owner managers.

“The gun industry is very unique, and we have a lot of people here who share a passion for the custom gunstock industry,” Knutson told the Mitchell Republic shortly after the transition. “Randy trusts us and believes in us, but Rob and I had to earn this.”

Although the company may be best known for its finely crafted stocks, with fleur-de-lis checkering available, its At-One laminated model is thoroughly modern without abandoning wood’s familiar charm. It features convenient, push-button adjustments for length of pull and comb height. The hardwood is dried to exacting tolerances to ensure stability and rigidity, then its coated in a chemical-resistant finish for longevity and weather resistance.

The company’s facility covers 35,000-square feet and has the kind of machinery and veteran staff to crank out 1,000 stocks a day, when necessary. Since Boyds Gunstock Industries was founded it has designed more than 1,200 gunstocks.

Latest

North South Skirmish Association 1
North South Skirmish Association 1

Roar of the Muskets: The North-South Skirmish Association

The North-South Skirmish Association keeps Civil War history alive through competition shoots using Civil War-era arms at its Fort Shenandoah home base, as well as at regional shoots across the country.

Interest in Gunsmithing Grows as Potential AI Safe Haven

We’re told AI could eventually eliminate every job, and the trades will just be the last to go. But a pair of experts dedicated to training gunsmiths have a different opinion on the fate of their graduates.

Pietta Re-Introduces Starr Revolver Models

Late last year, Pietta announced it would be re-introducing their Starr revolver in both its double-action and single-action form, and now, the guns are finally arriving stateside.

Why the Murder Rate Quickly Fell to a Likely Historic Low

If the gun-control Left is to be believed, then the murder rate in the U.S. should be going up. After all, gun sales and ownership rates have been rising for the last few decades and anti-gun groups claim that gun ownership is the cause of violent crime. This, of course, is nonsense.

16 New Bolt-Action Rifles for 2026

From cutting-edge precision rifles designed for competition or hunting to traditionally styled guns that emulate designs from yesteryear, 2026 saw the introduction of an incredible array of bolt-action rifles.

Review: Chiappa Rhino 60DS 10 mm Auto

The Italian-designed-and-manufactured Chiappa Rhino remains unique today as the only current revolver with the barrel mounted at the bottom of the frame, firing from the chamber at the 6-o’clock position.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.