How do you carry your rifle/shotgun w/ folding stock

[stressed]

Got this idea from the knife thread, however it pertains to rifles and shotguns with folding/telescoping stocks.

When you are trekking though the woods, have weapon slung over yourself, or carrying in vehicle do you keep the stock open or fold it until you are ready to shoot?

Some instances where dense brush, tight spaces etc. can require smaller size, and military emphasis is within vehicles or airborne operations to reduce overall size.

 

[stressed]

Gee, interesting question Stressed. I suppose no one has asked this before. Well if I am carrying through thick brush, it is folded and can be locked out in a fraction of a second. Also from airborne operations, ala the Army. Also in my state it's legal to have uncased in vehicle from hunting area to another hunting area, range to range, and folded can be easily set on the floorboard of a truck with grip up, and is still short enough to be maneuverable.

 

[LebbenB]

I used to own a Sig 556 with a folding stock. Aside from testing a mag or two to see if the rifle would function with the stock folded, when I was going to use the rifle the stock would be opened and lock into place. I kept it folded for transport.

With my ARs, they're usually compact enough to where I lock the buttstock into it's slot and leave it.

 

[stressed]

Interesting that I see most probably never shoot with the stock folded. I can put bullseye in bullseye at 50y with stock folded on a rifle. Took a deer through the neck/spine on the move in a fraction of a second with a .308 FAL with the stock folded. Just happened so fast, pointed and shot. I like the maneuverability.

 

[Sam1911]

Stock will be unfolded at all times the gun is not stored or otherwise in an extremely confined space. No point, at all, to having it folded just walking around.

 

[JDGray]

Wait...
Did you just answer your own thread, like you forgot you posted it?
LOL!!

I carry my folder to the firing line, in a Pelican case, dragging it on its wheels. The only time I fold it is when I clean it, the cleaning rod don't hit the cheek piece that way...

 

[barnbwt]

I mainly want to know why so many folding stock designs require shooters to remove their strong hand from the grip in order to unfurl it . Underfolders and right side folders make no sense relative to top and left folders (sorry lefties, you're outnumbered ) if the gun is otherwise designed to be fireable in it's compact state. The fact the gun pivots about the grip hand when shouldering makes it easier to swing the stock around while keeping the barrel under control, too.

No point, at all, to having it folded just walking around.

Then again, there is much wisdom to this statement . I guess in a truck gun role the ability to "carry" the gun folded is more paramount, as is its ready access. Other than that, it is kind of a moot question. Though, as Stressed mentioned, the guns are far from useless with the stock folded (though still more useless than not ), and plenty of pistol-AR guys seem to enjoy that weirdo configuration.

Cmon, a folded VZ with a drum is so cool looking you'd be a fool not to carry it like that*

TCB
*inside joke; the VZ stock closes into the drum and won't fold fully

 

[stressed]

LOL yes, and nice post barnbwt.

I should mention, while deployed in the army I always hung my M4 off my chest/body armor with a wolf sling/hook. IT just hung there when not at the ready, and could be brought to ready and used quicklike if need be. (see image, but with shorter lanyard)

I do not own an AR style weapon with telescoping stock, and you cannot sling a fullsize rifle like this without hitting your knees as I have built a chest rig (without IBA) to wolf sling my weapon like when deployed as I am most comfortable/indoctrinated with it like this. All my folders have sling hooks on the base of the receivers, and sit at a comfortable level, and I can pull out the weapon until it can go no further, and pulling out with tension almost acts like a stock in itself.

Perhaps this explains things to those who would otherwise not understand.

 

[LebbenB]

I tried a wolf hook on my LCE back in the day. Personally, I didn't like the way it made the LCE ride and I didn't like how the muzzle of my M4 tended to bang into everything when I went hands-free.

 

[taliv]

interesting pic. i have been experimenting with something substantially similar. for past year i have run a VTAC padded sling attached to the molle back and then run through the shoulder strap with a quick attach flush cup hanging on the front. but it allows my rifle to rest on my chest, not banging into my knees.

to the OP, most folding guns were not intended to be fired while folded.

 

[Destructo6]

I've shot a UMP with the stock folded: couldn't make hits worth a crap, esp in auto.

If I'm carrying a long arm with the idea that I may need to use it, I will carry it as I would use it: stock extended to shooting position.

Folded/collapsed is for ease of vehicle transport, storage, or CDI factor.

 

[Snowblind]

I personally subscribe to having your weapon in 'full ready' when you're out 'in the field.' Now, I don't hunt, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but I do a lot of shooting, and I try all kinds of different things.

For a while I ran my 870P with no stock and just a pistol grip, and slung with a one-point sling. I was surprised by how nimble it felt with that setup. Like others have been mentioning here, having the sling creates a good anchor point, but lets you deploy it quickly. And, surprisingly, the first shot was often pretty spot on for not being shouldered. No prayer for a quick follow-up though. At least not with the 870P.

Based on that experience, shooting with and without a stock, I would say, while quick and somewhat accurate shots can be made with a stock folded or with no stock, you're never going to match the stability and accuracy of shouldering your weapon. And you can still snap to aim quick with a stock. So really, in my mind, unless you're storing it or doing something like climbing that requires two hands, it just makes sense to have it fully deployed unless there's a reason not to.

 

[Dr.Rob]

No matter how I 'sling it' The stock is set open/where I need it set to shoot.

Make sure it's 'set' before the buzzer goes off... it can be confusing when you can't find your cheekweld/eye relief combo instantly.

 

[bannockburn]

Stock closed/folded for storage/transport; fully open/extended when in use.