Collapsible or fixed stock for a varmint AR?

[grandviewranch]

I recently purchased a 20" RRA Predator Pursuit upper to set up my first AR as a varmint/predator rifle. I'm trying to decide between a Magpul MOE collapsible stock or a fixed A2 stock. The site I'm pretty much set on buying from (karrisguns.com) has both of these stocks available on fully assembled, Aero Precision made (CA&A marked) lower receivers. I just need to decide on the stock.

As far as the MOE stock goes, I'm leaning toward it for its versatility and "cool" appearance. Some of my family members are pretty short, and I think they'd fare a lot better with a six-position stock. My concerns are stock wobble and weight. As far as stock wobble goes, I'm not way too worried - I have and old M4-style airsoft gun that I bought off of Amazon for $30 and its wobble is almost unnoticeable. If some Chinese airsoft manufacturer's stock has that little wobble, I think I can trust Magpul. The other concern - weight (or lack thereof) - has me a little bit worried. I know the gun would be front-heavy, but I don't want it to be excessive. The RRA PP upper has kind of a medium-contour stainless varmint barrel (they say it cuts over a pound compared to a bull barrel), but I'm not sure if 20" of a fairly thick barrel would throw off the balance to an uncomfortable or unpleasant extent. I really want to go with a collapsible stock, but I don't think I should get one if the balance is terrible. (BTW - I'm on a little bit of a budget. I can't afford some three-digit-priced sniper stock.)

The A2 is appealing because of its simplicity and the storage compartment (for which they make aftermarket weights that balance a nose-heavy rifle). Otherwise, I don't really like it too much - especially if I eventually get a carbine upper. As a new AR owner on a budget I like the most bang for my buck, and it would be great to use the same lower for two uppers - at least while I don't have an amazing amount of gun money.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[firesky101]

I like my a2 with my varmit ar, not hard or expensive to swap later if you get a carbine upper. Thats whats great about the ar, dont like it tweak it

 

[T.A.Sharps]

Always go with your gut or you will always doubt it.

That being said, the AR-15 is the most modular rifle in history, the only option not available is a gold plated toilet with picatinny rail system.

You can literally buy it today as a standard blah iron sights 16", and next Friday, break it down and reconfigure to a SASS 28" Super Heavy contour with scope, light, laser, range finder, and a crazy little Chinese guy with a knife on the left side.

A "varmit" rifle generally is a heavy rifle intended for better than standard accuracy. Not something you would carry around all day hunting witetail, you would shoot it from a supported position, bipod, coat, tree. A nice A2 stock will feel very sold and balanced on a rifle like that. Less variables.

My collapsible stock on my AR is great, it is a standard stock I got on my RRA. It is nice to experiment with is set differently for different shooting. But really I got it because it was the cheapest option. There are accessories, like a cheek rest, that you can get for it.

It is versatile if multiple people will shoot your rifle. Also different shooting positions such as prone vs offhand would be more comfortable possible with a different setting.

However, my AR is not a bull barrel. So the stock suits it.

If i were in your position I would get the A2 stock for a Varmint rifle. Its comfortable and solid, both things you want in a accuracy rifle. (BTW I do not think any AR-15 adjustable stock will rattle much, if it did send it back and buy another brand.)

There are better choices that are both adjustable and for precision. If I had extra dollars, and had to choose Magpul:
http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG307/181

There are A LOT of options, so don't feel like you have to settle.

 

[baylorattorney]

Long stock, or A2. Feels good.

 

[wnycollector]

For me an A2 provides a better cheek weld.

 

[redneck2]

I'm a guy that said I would never have an AR. Now I have three. SOCOM, Bushie Varminter, and a .358 WSSM. Two have collapsible stocks (which I also thought I'd never have).

They're way more handy than I would have thought. Makes transport easier. Really nice for hunting when you have multiple layers of clothing.

 

[oldpapps]

This old fat guy needs all the help I can get. I have an A2 on my 20inch Bull barrel for that smidgen of more stability, more to hug. For my lighter/shorter barrels, collapsible. Your decision, gather as much input as practical and go with it. If you later want to switch out, no biggie.

Enjoy,

OSOK

 

[Welding Rod]

I think I would go with the A2 stock for this particular gun, unless your have some small family members who will be shooting it regularly.

If I were going to get a collapsible I would move up one notch to the CTR.

 

[Sky]

If you can hold both before purchase then many of your questions will be answered. I have both no problems with either.

 

[Boomie]

I have an A2 on my RRA Varminter. The only stock I've thought about switching it with was a Magpul UBR. The other collapsibles i've tried don't give a good enough cheek weld when extended.

I never switched because the UBR is expensive and I'd have to switch to a carbine buffer (more $$$).

Before someone says it, I'm not a fan of the PRS stock. It's fine but I don't need the riser and the UBR is way more comfortable to me.

 

[jmr40]

I have collapsible stocks on my 16" guns with iron sights or red dots. I prefer the A2 on the heavy barrel version set up for precision. Just makes it easier to shoot.

 

[grandviewranch]

Sounds like I'd better go with the A2. The MOE seems cool, but it won't be practical for a varmint gun. Thanks for the advice, everyone.

 

[HJ857]

This is an upper that I'm looking at, if I can go off topic and ask a favor, can you put that upper, with BCG on a scale and post what it weighs?

Also a bit more on topic, there is also an A1 buttstock option, the same as the A2 but 5/8" shorter overall.

I'm not sure the ability to put a counterweight in the stock is useful for anything but shooting an offhand stance. With a varmint class upper you're more likely to shoot it off some sort of a support. Shooting offhand the counterweight makes a huge difference, but in all other cases I personally like an adjustable stock better.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I have both the PRS and UBR on long range AR's. I like the UBR on the 5.56 rifles and the PRS feels best with the 7.62 rifles.

If you only shoot from a single position then a fixed stock that fits that position is great. If you shoot from several different positions then you really need an adjustable stock for optimum fit in each position. The UBR is really good for this.

 

[grandviewranch]

HJ857 - No problem. It should be arriving in the next day or two, and I'd be happy to weigh it and let you know. Thanks for the posts, everyone. I've decided to go with the fixed stock for its good cheek weld, more substantial weight, and lack of wobble.

 

[grandviewranch]

Okay - so the Rock River Arms Predator Pursuit upper with a 20 inch barrel (thought I'd give Google a chance to index this) weighs in at 5 lbs, 11 oz. I should have the lower and scope mount some time next week.

 

[HJ857]

Thanks man. Appreciate the info. I have to say that it's lighter than I thought it would be, I just wish they would make an 18" barrel for the Predator.

 

[Biggs19]

There are better choices that are both adjustable and for precision. If I had extra dollars, and had to choose Magpul:
http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG307/181

+1 on this Magpul stock. I would run this in a heartbeat on a precision AR.

 

[benzy2]

Looking at your choice of upper I'd go with the a2. I don't see you clearing rooms with it and I don't see a lot of stalking offhand shooting, though I'm sure it could be done. That upper is more suited to prone or bench shooting. Either of those would be better done with an A2. I don't get the prs for most. The A2 is plenty long and with proper mounts the riser isn't needed at all. I've lost most love for the adjustable stock. If I want something compact I put the adjustable all the way in or one notch from all the way in and never touch it again. If I want a bench stock I put it all the way out. Depending on the use of the rifle a fixed A1/A2 or something like a battle axe is sturdy and does what I want. An adjustable stock simply adds wobble(as minimal as it may be) and doesn't get adjusted. I'm 6'3" and have no problem running an AR with the stock all the way in or all the way out. Just fix it and go shoot.