AR-15 Thumbhole Stock

[Newbie22]

Does anyone know of any manufacturers still producing thumbhole stocks for the AR-15? I've been looking around and haven't found a single one that hasn't been discontinued. I'm hoping one will turn up, as here in Connecticut it's hard enough to find compliant uppers, and the thumbhole would provide so much more flexibility. I'll be very disappointed if I have to pass up the CMMG .22 upper I've been drooling over because it has a flash hider.

Thanks,
Newbie

 

[TurtlePhish]

Does a thumbhole count here in CT? A lot of them still protrude pretty noticeably from the receiver, and it looks like a pistol grip. Sorta.

 

[Newbie22]

From the research I've done, it seems as though the thumbhole is a legally viable replacement. If someone has evidence to the contrary I would urge them to please come forward.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Ooh, sweet. That'd be really nice, actually. Tell me if you manage to find one!

 

[Newbie22]

Will do. Seems as though this might be an uphill battle however....

 

[TurtlePhish]

Well, you could always go and make one if you're good with tools. Fancy laminate or something?

 

[Newbie22]

I'm decent enough with tools that I could conceivably pull it off, but it's enough of a project that I would much prefer an off-the-shelf solution if there is one available.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Agreed, it's probably not worth the effort in measuring and carving.

 

[WNTFW]

I have to ask why would you want a thumbhole stock for an AR? I am not seeing what advantage it would provide.

 

[TurtlePhish]

AWB in CT... lets us get around it.

 

[courtgreene]

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/bcar15.htm

seems like an awkward grip but i hope that helps

 

[desidog]

Overall, the gun's balance will probably suffer.

What feature are you getting for the trade off? Because you can have a flash hider as long as it is pinned or welded on; and that job is a lot cheaper and easier than making a thumbhole stock, or buying one.

I have ARUL and a PRS stocks on my CT AWB compliant guns. If you get a suppressor, you'll need a pinned or welded q/d muzzle device...otherwise, just get a barrel that doesnt have threads and leave off the F/H. Muzzle brakes tend to make atrocious noise for the guys shooting near you anyways.

M1S an BCM will pin and/or weld a muzzle device for you if you order an upper from them, just call and ask for it...and bayonet lugs don't add a lot of utility anyways, so get a low-pro block or one with a 1913 rail up there.

I've also found that you can generally buy the parts for your upper individually for less loot than an assembled upper, and it's easy to assemble them. (Just don't call it a "build"; unless you fabricated the pieces yourself! / pet peeve) That way you get the features you want without having to compromise between the pre-assembled offerings.

 

[TurtlePhish]

It doesn't matter how it's attached, a flash hider is a feature all on its own even if it's not threaded on.

The thumbhole stock technically eliminates the "pistol grip" feature, which leaves a slot open for whatever other single "evil" feature you want on the gun.

Dumb law, but it IS a law...

 

[Newbie22]

It doesn't matter how it's attached, a flash hider is a feature all on its own even if it's not threaded on.

This is exactly the problem. My plan at first was very simple: Buy a lower, a lower parts kit, a stock and a grip, and then whatever upper is desired. In this case a dedicated .22 made by CMMG. My not-so-brilliant plan was foiled when I realized that although CMMG kindly offered to remove the bayonet lug on their upper, there wasn't much they could do about the permanently affixed flash hider (the barrel I want is already 16 inches, so cutting any more off is a no-go). So I decided on the thumbhole stock solution, which is fine since most of my other semis have one anyway. Now the challenge is finding one. I'll have to call up Clark Custom and see if they still carry that Bell and Carlson stock.

 

[TurtlePhish]

I wouldn't count on it... the site hasn't been updated in almost a year.

 

[tominct]

How about a pinned and welded muzzle brake/compensator? That's offered as an option by several manufacturers, at least on their 5.56 uppers.

Or a plain muzzle? Or could you get your SOT to thread on and then weld a non-flash hider extension on it?

Frankly, aside from ease of acquisition, you have several choices. Unless you decide to run a can on it later. Then it's the Connecticut Question..... Is a suppressor legally considered a flash hider?
And nobody's volunteered to be a test case on that one yet.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Then it's the Connecticut Question..... Is a suppressor legally considered a flash hider?

The Connecticut Question.. Hehe
It sucks, but it sounds pretty epic.

 

[tominct]

Or, if the barrel is 16" (meaning NFA legal with no FH or other extension), just have your smith knock the threads off on the lathe.

As long as you carefully arrange how and what and when you possess barrels and receivers, you shouldn't run afoul of any laws.


ETA: Not suggesting that anything gets shortened, just turn the threads down so you have about a 7/16" shoulder at the muzzle.

 

[Newbie22]

As long as you carefully arrange how and what and when you possess barrels and receivers, you shouldn't run afoul of any laws.

I appreciate the variety of options that you've presented, my only reservation is that I was hoping that I could accomplish putting together this AR without having to jump through so many hoops. It seems, unfortunately, that there may be no simple away around that. Do you by chance know how much it would cost to have that kind of work done? Thanks

 

[TurtlePhish]

If you wanna go REALLY cheap, you could take the threads off yourself with a file. Otherwise, try ADCO firearms... although I don't know if they do that.

 

[Newbie22]

I suppose the DIY method is always an option. Still, I'm inclined to seek an off-the-shelf alternative if there is one available. Perhaps I should inquire into who sells a good .22 upper without any banned features.

 

[CHALK22]

Man, when I read threads like this, it makes me glad I live in Montana. But, good luck with your project, I hope you get it done, the AR platform is awesome!