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

Ithaca Model 66  Super Single Shotgun
Ithaca Model 66  Super Single Shotgun

I Have This Old Gun: Ithaca Model 66 Super Single Shotgun

There was a time when a lever-action, single-shot scattergun was all the rage. Today, it still has some value and practical utility.

Cold-Weather Carry: 5 Great Items for Winter CCW

Don’t let the cold stop you from being prepared should things get hot.

Sighted Fire vs. Point-Shooting

A long-standing argument among handgunners revolves around the concept of sighted fire versus point-shooting. A more productive approach is to understand the problem each is trying to solve.

Derya Expands TM22 Family with Timekeeper & Pump Models

Derya continues the expansion of its rimfire line with two new models for 2026, an update of the original semi-auto TM22 and a new pump-action version.

Gun of the Week: Taurus RPC

The Taurus RPC is a welcome addition to the growing marketplace of PDWs, or personal defense weapons, a concept that pairs pistol-caliber cartridges with larger-format firearms.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 13, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.