A couple of months ago, I bought an Archangel Sparta stock for my Mini-14. I noticed that there aren't many reviews on the Sparta stock out there, so I thought I'd share my experiences with you. (After typing the rest of this post, I saw that another user, johnnydollar, also got a Sparta stock and created a thread on it – but since my post got pretty lenghty, I think it's fine to start my own thread.)
This is my current setup:
Assembly was not too difficult, but the stock was a very tight fit at the beginning. The first time I put it together, the trigger group barely fit in, but now that I've broken it down a few times in order to clean it, reassembly has come become much easier.
I also installed a picatinny rail below the handguard, as described in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfGg0xLokBo&feature=related
However, I wanted to have a rail that covers the full length of the handguard, so I went for a ProMag PM003 6" aluminum rail. Note that it has these little knobs that create some space between the rail and the handguard:
These are important. If the rail fit flush with the handguard, you couldn't slide on most accessories because they wouldn't fit past the the gas block or the "magwell".
The spacing between the mounting holes on the PM003 did not match the spacing between the pre-drilled holes on the Sparta stock, so I had to drill my own holes, which was not much of a problem.
On the top rail, I installed a Burris AR-PEPR QD mount for my Bausch & Lomb Elite 3000 scope and a Magpul MBUS Gen2 BUIS. The scope does not quite hold its zero when removed and reattached via the Burris QD mount (if I do so, my shots are about 5-10 inches off at 50-100 yards). Still, an excellent mounting option. The scope has just the right height for me (without raising the cheek pad on the Sparta stock), and it's high enough so I can mount an MBUS Gen 2 below the scope.
As for the MBUS, I had to file some plastic away before the "switch" to flip up the sights would work properly once installed on the top rail of the Sparta stock. No big deal at all. I find these backup sights to be quite accurate.
On the 6 o'clock rail, I've installed a Leapers UTG bipod and a Magpul AFG2. The Leapers bipod is no Harris, but serves its purpose. The AFG2 may not be the best option. It's difficult to get a good grip around the handguard, which is not as slim as that of an AR-15. It sort of works for me, since I've got big hands, but I'll probably remove it or replace it with a standard vertical foregrip.
For cleaning the barrel of the rifle, I use an Otis cleaning kit. The standard Otis bronze brush is short enough to fit into the breach if you pull back on the slide handle. This allows for proper breach-to-muzzle cleaning without breaking down the rifle. For me, that's crucial, because I don't want to disassemble the Sparta stock after each shooting, and a boresnake just can't completely replace a brush.
Now, let me give you a short review of the Sparta stock itself.
The most important thing: the rifle is as accurate and as reliable as with the factory stock. Polymer seems to be of high quality. Probably not quite as good as the polymer on certain military rifles, but definitely solid.
What I like about the Sparta stock:
1. Mounting options thanks to the aluminum rail(s)
2. Ergonomics: I particularly like the collapsible stock (even on the shortest setting, it is significantly longer than the factory stock) and the pistol grip with storage compartment. Others might find the cheek riser useful, as well.
3. Looks: This is absolutely subjective, but I like the way this stock looks. It also catches a lot of attention at the range. I thought it was quite funny when several owners of expensive HK rifles gathered around me because they assumed I had some sort of high-end rifle.
What I do not like about the Sparta stock:
1. Weight: According to some other guys who put out the scales, the Sparta stock is about 1 lb heavier than the synthetic factory stock. I used to have the wooden stock on my Mini-14, and the weight difference feels like more than just a pound to me. I think the length of the Sparta buttstock makes the rifle a little more front-heavy, which adds to the "felt" weight of the gun. (A positive side-effect of the increased weight might be reduced recoil.)
2. Disassembly: You need a screwdriver to field strip the gun. You also have to remove the aluminum top which includes the picatinny rail before you can take out the action. I tend to disassemble my Mini-14 a little less often now that I have the Sparta stock. I still need to test whether the rifle holds its zero after disassembly/reassembly.
Conclusion:
The Archangel Sparta stock is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to have a Mini-14 with the mounting options of an AR and doesn't mind some additional weight. I heartily recomend it, unless you plan to carry your Mini-14 around for long periods of time, where weight might become an issue.
This is my current setup:
Assembly was not too difficult, but the stock was a very tight fit at the beginning. The first time I put it together, the trigger group barely fit in, but now that I've broken it down a few times in order to clean it, reassembly has come become much easier.
I also installed a picatinny rail below the handguard, as described in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfGg0xLokBo&feature=related
However, I wanted to have a rail that covers the full length of the handguard, so I went for a ProMag PM003 6" aluminum rail. Note that it has these little knobs that create some space between the rail and the handguard:
These are important. If the rail fit flush with the handguard, you couldn't slide on most accessories because they wouldn't fit past the the gas block or the "magwell".
The spacing between the mounting holes on the PM003 did not match the spacing between the pre-drilled holes on the Sparta stock, so I had to drill my own holes, which was not much of a problem.
On the top rail, I installed a Burris AR-PEPR QD mount for my Bausch & Lomb Elite 3000 scope and a Magpul MBUS Gen2 BUIS. The scope does not quite hold its zero when removed and reattached via the Burris QD mount (if I do so, my shots are about 5-10 inches off at 50-100 yards). Still, an excellent mounting option. The scope has just the right height for me (without raising the cheek pad on the Sparta stock), and it's high enough so I can mount an MBUS Gen 2 below the scope.
As for the MBUS, I had to file some plastic away before the "switch" to flip up the sights would work properly once installed on the top rail of the Sparta stock. No big deal at all. I find these backup sights to be quite accurate.
On the 6 o'clock rail, I've installed a Leapers UTG bipod and a Magpul AFG2. The Leapers bipod is no Harris, but serves its purpose. The AFG2 may not be the best option. It's difficult to get a good grip around the handguard, which is not as slim as that of an AR-15. It sort of works for me, since I've got big hands, but I'll probably remove it or replace it with a standard vertical foregrip.
For cleaning the barrel of the rifle, I use an Otis cleaning kit. The standard Otis bronze brush is short enough to fit into the breach if you pull back on the slide handle. This allows for proper breach-to-muzzle cleaning without breaking down the rifle. For me, that's crucial, because I don't want to disassemble the Sparta stock after each shooting, and a boresnake just can't completely replace a brush.
Now, let me give you a short review of the Sparta stock itself.
The most important thing: the rifle is as accurate and as reliable as with the factory stock. Polymer seems to be of high quality. Probably not quite as good as the polymer on certain military rifles, but definitely solid.
What I like about the Sparta stock:
1. Mounting options thanks to the aluminum rail(s)
2. Ergonomics: I particularly like the collapsible stock (even on the shortest setting, it is significantly longer than the factory stock) and the pistol grip with storage compartment. Others might find the cheek riser useful, as well.
3. Looks: This is absolutely subjective, but I like the way this stock looks. It also catches a lot of attention at the range. I thought it was quite funny when several owners of expensive HK rifles gathered around me because they assumed I had some sort of high-end rifle.
What I do not like about the Sparta stock:
1. Weight: According to some other guys who put out the scales, the Sparta stock is about 1 lb heavier than the synthetic factory stock. I used to have the wooden stock on my Mini-14, and the weight difference feels like more than just a pound to me. I think the length of the Sparta buttstock makes the rifle a little more front-heavy, which adds to the "felt" weight of the gun. (A positive side-effect of the increased weight might be reduced recoil.)
2. Disassembly: You need a screwdriver to field strip the gun. You also have to remove the aluminum top which includes the picatinny rail before you can take out the action. I tend to disassemble my Mini-14 a little less often now that I have the Sparta stock. I still need to test whether the rifle holds its zero after disassembly/reassembly.
Conclusion:
The Archangel Sparta stock is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to have a Mini-14 with the mounting options of an AR and doesn't mind some additional weight. I heartily recomend it, unless you plan to carry your Mini-14 around for long periods of time, where weight might become an issue.
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