Loose AR15 stock

[jerkface11]

I recently built my first AR15. An LAR lower and a DPMS upper. Unfortunately the stock is loose. If you hold the pistol grip in one hand and wiggle the stock with the other it rattles around. Is there a fix for this? Or is it because i bought the cheapest A2 stock i could find? I'm planning on upgrading to some other kind of stock later but haven't decided on what yet. So a fix for this one would be nice. Thanks for any help.

 

[DMK]

Is this a fixed stock or collapsible?

I know you said A2 stock, but sometimes folks get confused or make typos.

If it's a fixed stock, do you have the spacer installed at the end of the buffer tube? If so, try taking it out.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

What do you mean, rattles?

Just makes a noise, or does the actually stock move around and wiggle?

 

[DnPRK]

My suggestion is to go to the hardware or auto parts store and buy a bubble pack of epoxy putty.

Remove the upper buttplate screw and remove the stock from the receiver extension. (Don't lose the spacer, takedown detent and spring)

On the lower front part of the stock (where it mates with the receiver) you will find a protrusion that fits into a cutout on the back of the receiver. That protrusion-into-cutout fit is loose and is the likely cause of your problem. A dab of epoxy putty can cure that looseness.

Mix a small piece of the epoxy putty and roll it out into a skinny cylinder the diameter of a toothpick and about 3/4" long. Take that skinny piece of epoxy and wrap it around the lower half of the stock protrusion. When you put the stock back on the receiver extension, the epoxy will be squeezed into the gap between the protrusion and receiver cutout. Once the epoxy cures, there will be no more wiggle. Just remember to install the spacer on the end of the receiver extension, the takedown detent and spring (and keep epoxy away from that spring).

 

[MHBushmaster]

Wow, uh, first off just tighten the top most screw in the butt bad area on an A2 stock. If that doesn' work, make sure the buffer tube is properly indexed into the lower receiver, some folks don't screw them in far enough.

If by chance you have an A1 stock that you think is an A2 stock, make sure you are using the right lenght of buttstock screw, it is significantly shorter than an A2 buttstock screw. The A2 screw is longer due to the spacer needed for the A2 buttstock screw.

Seriously, that is all for your first attempts, no need to go for epoxy at a hardware store just yet...

 

[jerkface11]

As I said A2 stock. It doesn't make noise it MOVES. DnPRK's advice sounds like what's going on. The protrusion doesn't seem to be the right size/shape. However if I epoxy it will the stock still be removable?

 

[slugcatcher]

It sounds like you need to buy the A2 stock spacer. They're about $2 the last time I checked.

 

[jerkface11]

I bought the stock as an assembly (buffer,spring,tube,spacer,stock). Everything is installed properly it just doesn't seem to fit right. As i said before i think it's because i bought the cheapest stock midway had.

 

[DMK]

The protrusion doesn't seem to be the right size/shape.

If that's where the problem is, then you'll need to modify that area until it fits right. If it's too loose, you could use epoxy to bed the stock to the receiver. Degrease the stock with alcohol, acetone or something like that, spray some non-stick cooking spray on the lower receiver and buffer tube so the epoxy won't stick to it. apply epoxy to the area of the stock below the tube, loosely attach the stock and let it set. Trim off any excess epoxy.

However, probably the better solution would be to buy a better stock that is in spec. Especially if you've never bedded a stock before.