Building an AR. Stock suggestions...

[epijunkie67]

Bought a stripped lower and plan on building an AR over the next few months. I'm trying to decide on a collapsable stock versus a fixed stock. I've never handled anything but a fixed stock weapon before but like the idea of being able to adjust the LOP for different clothing combinations.

How stable are the adjustable stocks? How strong are they? If I fall on it or buttstroke somebody with it will it bend or break? After I've used it a few years will it loosen and develop a "wiggle" like some of the folding stocks do?

What's the opinion of the people that have used them?

 

[Destructo6]

My Colt M4 has been used pretty roughly and the collapsible stock is still quite tight, with no rattle.

I just received a Magpul CTR stock and it has a friction lock to take up any wobble that might develop. It's an interesting setup and not horribly expensive.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Depends on the stock. I have had the Magpul M93 stock since 2002 and it is great. It is as solid as a fixed stock; but more adjustable than a telescoping stock while having a better cheek weld than the standard M4 stock.

As far as how strong it is, I do know a guy in Afghanistan who used a Magpul to take down a door. The downside to the Magpul is it is expensive and currently there are plans to discontinue the M93 in order to replace it with the UBR stock.

There are also enhanced stocks like the Crane, Vltor, TDI, etc.

If you are talking about just the standard M4 enhanced telestock, then the cheek weld will be a bit rougher and a bit of wobble or rattle isn't uncommon, though some stocks manage to avoid it.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

I really like the ACE skeleton stocks more than collapsibles.

I might also mention that CT's laws don't permit us peons to have collapsible stocks and I refuse to buy a fake collapsible stock that has been modified to be a fixed stock.

 

[spankaveli]

I like the Ace Socom M4 but because of hte price, I chose the Magpul CTR over it. I don't regret that decision at all.

 

[MIL-DOT]

last year i decided i needed an AK,and started researching (that's actually why i originally joined this and two other forums). i originally wanted an underfolder 'cause they looked so dang cool, but the reasons for not getting one out weighed the reasons for ( primarily, it looked cool). seems to me, the AK is a RIFLE, and folding stocks are great for easier transport,but make for worse shooters. as for collapsible stocks, the AK is already a mighty small package,how much difference is that couple inches going to make? anyway, i ended up with a lancaster romanian G, full woods stock, and love it.
earlier this year, i got a saiga and recently completed the conversion. the stock i have on it is a black synthetic one-piece from choate.($54 from ultimak). i chose it for several reasons : IMO it looks cool, i didn't want another traditional-looking AK just like my lancaster,choate makes solid stuff, and being a one-piece unit, it is more secure than a separate stock and pistol grip. also, it was probably the most economical way to stock the rifle,and.......it looks cool !!
only other thing i could add, and this is from the majority of opinions on other AK forums: stay away from the tapco folders, and,as stated above, ACE makes great stuff.

 

[Bix]

I've got a VLTOR. Fairly stable - seems strong enough. It's been used to 'mortar' open a siezed bolt with no appreciable damage (not a bad idea to close the stock all the way before doing that). Probably wouldn't want it on a precision rifle, but works just fine for a gunskool carbine.

 

[MIL-DOT]

LOL, i am such a bonehead !! i had just woken up, grabbed a cup and thought this thread was about stocking an AK, not an AR !! sorry

 

[taliv]

another vote for magpul m93b. bart mentioned all the good points. i'll cover the bad:

i'm still pissed because they didn't sell any other modules to fit on it.
it's heavy, but that's ok, because i like the weight in the back. it helps balance.
i broke the butt of it doing the old stuck case clearing procedure, but magpul replaced it quickly.

 

[Gary G23]

If you're worried about strength get a mil-spec receiver extension (buffer tube).
If you're worried about wiggle get a Magpul CTR.

 

[JTW Jr.]

for me , having long arms , I found no need for an adjustable stock , since I dont wear armor , I dont need to adjust it for diff lengths. I went with a reg ol fixed A2 stock with a 1" extension , and filled the stock cavity with lead shot. With the hvy bll , DD 12.0 rail and SS scope , it balances much better for me with some weight in the rear.

I had a VLTOR clubfoot on it originally and it was a solid collapsible stock with no rattle , the Magpul's are just as solid.

 

[jpwilly]

The 6 position stock on my AR M4 has worked well for me. I have found that having the collapsable stock on my M4gery is perfect because everyone I take shooting likes it at different lengths. Plus if you plan to use for home protection having the stock all the way in makes it much faster through doorways IMO. Either way I feel it was a great way for me to go. My target AR has a fixed stock for maximum accuracy though.

 

[Navy87Guy]

If you want a 6-position stock, check out the Command Arms Accessories (CAA) stock . I have one on my Saiga AK and I love it. Very solid and it does a nice job absorbing the recoil (it has a butt pad built in). It also has attachment points on the sides for quick-disconnect sling swivels. It's much nicer and higher quality than the factory stock on my Stag Arms AR-15 2T.

I think you can pick one up for around $90 (and that includes the buffer tube) from Area 51 Tactical (www.blackrifles.com).

Jim

 

[Zach S]

I use the M4 stock. Its got a little rattle but I can live with it at the moment. Planning on a CTR as soon as I've got some money to blow.

The only thing I hate about it is that my wiskers get pinched between the stock and tube.

 

[rbernie]

I find the MagPul M93 and M4-pattern collapsible stocks to be very uncomfortable to shoot in light clothing, due to their rigid heavily checkered buttplates. This is especially an issue when I'm shooting offhand; half of the stock winds up above my shoulderline to get a proper cheekweld, and the bottom half is sitting right on my bony shoulder instead of 'in the pocket'. (I like to shoot with both eyes open and without having to drop my head to align the sights.) The CAA stock has a smooth rubber buttplate and is marginally more comfortable than a M4-style stock but is not as solid as the MagPul M93.

Frankly, I place very little value on the advantages of a collapsible stock (e.g. adaptation for seasonal clothing bulk or body armor, when sharing the rifle between shooters, or for shortening the rifle during movement/transport). I do, on the other hand, want a buttstock that is solid and comfortable/repeatable when shooting offhand. I have pretty much settled on Ace ARFX stocks for my 'serious' rifles and an A1 stock with a Sierra Precision dropped buttplate for my hunting rifles.

As examples - the rifle on the top has a Ace and the rifle on the bottom has a A1 stock with the Sierra Research buttplate.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

The CTR is a very good collapsible stock.

 

[Taurus44]

I'll toss in another vote for the Magpul CTR. It is the most solid adjustable stock I've ever used (with the friction lock).