I will just try to summarize my thoughts and answer your question as best I can. What I would like to soJohn, is not give a specific recommendation, rather, give you the impressions I have and how, for me, it will affect my course of action. Then my impressions, coupled with your own, might give you the information you need to make a decision on the course of action which is right for you.

1. I think once a crack is there, it will get bigger with time. This will happen whether you float or not, perhaps just from temperature expansions alone while being stored. My sense is that the cracks will neither affect the performance or safety of the rifle. Time will tell on that as we monitor.

2. I think floating will slow down crack progression because it will eliminate the sharp spreading impulses on the stockwhich result from barrel expansion upon discharge. Floating a Kodiak barrels is very simple and floating mine took about 5 minutes. It is my opinion that floating will not harm the Kodiak synthetic stock because, unlike the Omega synthetic stock,it barely reduces the shear surfaces resisting recoil. Floating could improve accuracy and precision, although it may not, so I'd go about it tounge in cheek and see what the results at the range are.

3. On the subject of whether to reinforce or not. I tend to agree with Sabotloader that plastic is a weak enough material that it is susceptible to fail. Given typical use, I think the Kodiak stock will last as long as its your pet rifle. After that, it'll last perhaps a lifetime. And this with no modification. Were the recoil supports showing signs of imminent failure, you could always send it back for a new one and be set again.

My use wont be typical. I will fire the Kodiak and the Apex as many as 300-500 times eachannually for as long as I am enamored with them. I will shoot loads like 435 SSB and 80 grains 2f 777, 620 BS conical and 60 -70 grains of 2f 777 or 70 grains 3f Goex. These load do generate considerable recoil. Over 2.5 times a 12 guage shotgun clays load. While this recoilwill be moderated at my shoulder by the weight of the entire rifle, the recoil at the lug supports will remain the same and it will work hard to destroy the stock.

By reinforcing, I will be increasing the shear area of the recoil suport from less than1/2 square inches to well over 10 square inches. So it will beFAR more sturdy.I worry about the unfortunate possibility, left un-reinforced, I would break the stock right before season,so I am reinforcing it. It is my opinion that my stock will never need to be replaced for failure of recoil support. Imay be taking a chance on the warranty of the stockbut since I do not anticipate using the warranty, the extra confidence it gives me (that I won't be waiting for a stock before season begins or worse ends) is worth it to me.