Folding stocks -- why or why not?

[GrandmasterB]

What are the real benefits of a folding stock on a rifle? I have an AK with an under folding stock, mainly because they were banned in '94 and when the ban sunsetted, I got one. But what is the real benefit? More compact for transport? I can't really shoot it worth a flip with the stock folded.

AK style with side folder -- what makes this better/worse than an underfolder?

What about other designs? H&K USC/UMP? -- Can you shoot it with the stock folded?

What other designs have folding stocks and why are they useful/not useful?

 

[taliv]

Transport and storage. Don't shoot it with the stock folded unless you are in a Hollywood production

 

[JustinJ]

Most can be fired with stock fired but that sort of defeats the purpose of having one to begin with as now you just have a big heavy handgun. Compactness is the reason for them.

 

[tahunua001]

I have an AK with a side folder and 2 AR style rifles with collapsible stocks. I store them in the safe and transport them collapsed and shoot them extended, there is no point in shooting a rifle that you cant stabilize with your shoulder, you may as well try to shoot from the hip.

 

[LoonWulf]

buht buht, Utube tells me thats was the correct way to accuracy test an AK....damn, no WONDER i cant hit anything.

Only real issue ive had with folding stocks is that they will some times be loose/work loose. I still want to get one for my mini, so i can stick it all the way in my hunting backpack.

 

[JustinJ]

The con's of a folder depend on which type we are talking about. Underfolders generally provide a poor cheeck weld. The triangle AK side folders look cool but the polymer folding stocks are really the best.

 

[Beak50]

I noticed mine has a little play in the position locking mechanism"bearing's"but I learned to live with it.I like them better then the side folder's.I really don't use the stock much with the pisol grip and foregrip.

 

[benEzra]

Compact storage and transport is all. They're not much use folded; I find it is much easier to hit at *any* distance with a handgun than with a folded rifle.

Folders that allow cheek weld (or at least chin weld) are easier to shoot when extended than folders that don't. Romanian wire sidefolders offer no cheek/chin weld at all (I have one for my AK but don't use it much for that reason) but at least they do lock up tight when extended.

Now AR-style adjustable-length stocks, on the other hand...those have utility far beyond storage/transport, because they allow you to adjust length of pull for different shooting positions or different size shooters.

 

[2low]

This may be of little interest to you, but my shooting buddy bought an underfolder AK and he was getting annoyed with the metal digging into his cheek. I took some type III 550 cord and tied a length of solomon bars along 6 inches of the left support arm of the stock. This greatly helped with comfort and he found that his cheek weld is a bit better. Just figured i'd fill you in so it may make your AK a bit more comfy.
As long as you shoot your AK right handed then this may be beneficial to you. If you do choose to do something like this Just don't tie anything on the right support arm because it may melt and/or interfere with then ejecting shells when shooting the AK with the stock folded. Hope you're liking everything else about your AK : )

 

[JHenry]

The only downside to the side folder is when its folded it doubles the thickness of the rifle. Other than that its better than the underfolder in pretty much every way... other than looks