A2 Stock Spacer Rattles

[1911Bird]

Hello everyone!

I’m on the tail end of my AR build and I added my stock. It’s a military surplus A2 stock that came as a complete kit (tube, spring, buffer, etc). Everything tightened up very nicely and there’s no wiggle or slack between the stock and the lower.

However, I’m hearing two things rattling inside it. One is the buffer weight, which I know is normal, but there’s also a second rattle which I’m 99% certain is from the spacer. The end of my buffer tube is hexagonal/pentagonal (I can’t remember) and the spacer is circular. This is my first time messing with an A2 stock, so I can’t say for certain, but I don’t think the fit is as snug as it should be. The problem is I’m not sure if it’s from the buffer tube, the spacer, or none of the above.

Any suggestions/ideas?

 

[N555]

Take out the buffer, spring and bolt carrier group and see if it still rattles.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Hello everyone!

I’m on the tail end of my AR build and I added my stock. It’s a military surplus A2 stock that came as a complete kit (tube, spring, buffer, etc). Everything tightened up very nicely and there’s no wiggle or slack between the stock and the lower.

However, I’m hearing two things rattling inside it. One is the buffer weight, which I know is normal, but there’s also a second rattle which I’m 99% certain is from the spacer. The end of my buffer tube is hexagonal/pentagonal (I can’t remember) and the spacer is circular. This is my first time messing with an A2 stock, so I can’t say for certain, but I don’t think the fit is as snug as it should be. The problem is I’m not sure if it’s from the buffer tube, the spacer, or none of the above.

Any suggestions/ideas?

I had to shim mine with fender washers. Dont forget the upper screw has to be the special one with a gas relief hole.

 

[1911Bird]

Take out the buffer, spring and bolt carrier group and see if it still rattles.

I actually haven’t received my BCG yet. I have already tried removing the buffer and spring, though. The rattle is still there, which is partly why I think it’s the spacer.

 

[1911Bird]

I had to shim mine with fender washers. Dont forget the upper screw has to be the special one with a gas relief hole.

Which upper screw are you talking about? The one that holds the stock backplate on and connects to the spacer? If so, how do I know the screw is right?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Which upper screw are you talking about? The one that holds the stock backplate on and connects to the spacer? If so, how do I know the screw is right?

Its got a hole through the center of the bolt.
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...-15-a2-upper-butt-stock-screw-prod135107.aspx

 

[Bwana John]

I add an o-ring to the spacer if it rattles.
The spacers do not seem to be a "blueprinted" part, some have rattled, some dont.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Which upper screw are you talking about? The one that holds the stock backplate on and connects to the spacer? If so, how do I know the screw is right?

So.....I always thought it was for gas management, but turns out its actually more to allow drainage from the buffer tube after immersion in water, so kinda optional I guess, lol.

 

[1911Bird]

I add an o-ring to the spacer if it rattles.
The spacers do not seem to be a "blueprinted" part, some have rattled, some dont.

Interesting…good to know it’s probably not an out of spec buffer tube. This might be a dumb question, but where would you add the O ring? Between the buffer tube and spacer?

 

[1911Bird]

So.....I always thought it was for gas management, but turns out its actually more to allow drainage from the buffer tube after immersion in water, so kinda optional I guess, lol.

Well, I have one like that, but good to know in the event I build another one!

 

[AlexanderA]

The end of my buffer tube is hexagonal/pentagonal (I can’t remember) and the spacer is circular.

The end of the buffer tube is a round boss with flats for a wrench. The A2 spacer fits over it.

You will notice that the spacer is not threaded. The A2 upper stock screw (which is longer than the A1 screw) goes through the spacer and threads into the buffer itself. Therefore, it's possible that there's a slight fore-and-aft movement of the spacer. This has no significance. If it bothers you, put a washer in there to take up the slack.

I've noticed that most of the A2 stocks on the market today are Chinese knockoffs. They might be a little loose on their specs.

Personally, I prefer the A1 stock anyway. Unless you have really long arms, it fits better. Also, it's better if you're wearing heavy winter clothing or other equipment. No spacer is used with that.

 

[someguy2800]

I put a dab of hot glue between the spacer and buffer tube on mine