To retract, or not to retract? That is the question!!!!

[Too Many Choices!?]

As I am fond of mentioning it, I am sure EVERYBODY knows that I have a Bushie M4A3 with AK muzzle brake(muzzle jump is non-existant, keep the bird cage Klinton, but thanx Bill for faster follow up shots) and true 14 1/2" barrel that was bought during the,"Clinton Gun Grab". I love my semi-nuetered rifle(no bayo lug either) but am kicking around the idea of making it more closely fit the designation of M4 with a telestock. I love the factory A2 stock, but all the collapsible/tele-stocks, MAKE the M4 to me, so I am ambivilent. To add insult to injury, or place me more between a rock and a hard place; the factory A2 stock has the PERFECT LOP for my body...If I made it this long without a telestock, do I really need one now? Is saving the couple inches during transport really worth possibly changing, what seeems to be perfection?

Does anybody have anything positive or negative to say about their own stock change experience ? Fixed to retractable... Guys that have telestocks (sometimes I think I am the only person alive with an A2 M4) what else do you retract your stock for? Basically help convince me of the utility of telestocks, besides the fact that Klinton didn't want me to have one which is almost reason enough to get it

 

[DMK]

I changed a couple of my ARs over to collapsable stocks when the AWB ended. I find now, that I don't like shooting them as much. The fixed stock is way more comfortable to shoot. Really, aside from looking cooler, the collapsable stock offers little benefit.

 

[ocabj]

I switched the 4-position stock awhile back since mine was a "pre-ban" anyway. Frankly, I didn't get any benefit out of it. Maybe in standing it gives me better stability since I can hug the rifle better (balance point of the rifle closer to the body with the shorter LOP). But not much else.

If you actually use your AR for urban combat, the adjustable stock is good. If all you do is shoot off a bench or basic range target practice, then stick with the fixed stock. And if you shoot service rifle highpower, it's a no brainer...

 

[Bat Masterson]

You may like the six position stock because it allows you to adjust the length of pull to where you like it. It also make the rifle easier to use inside of a building, if it used for home defense.

 

[yorec]

the fact that Klinton didn't want me to have one which is almost reason enough to get it

But that IS reason enough...

Have used many telestocks and fixed stocks on my ARs over the years. One of the benefits to the telestock is the ability to shorten it for proper fit... When wearing body armor, you can bring the gun up directly against the armor for a more mobile platform and still have proper fit. Not impotant if you don't wear armor or don't have short arms or a well endowed torso and can fit an A2 allright.

Telescoping stocks also cut down overall length of the gun if storage space is at a premium - never had to worry about that myself, I always make room for a gun!

I've heard some say that the fixed stock is much stronger and takes abuse better. Maybe, so quite butt stroking those coyotes - abuse is abuse after all. But if you just can't seem to take care of your firearm or if there is a real battle iminant in your future, spend the extra dough to get an aluminum telescoper for the extra strength and all the benefits at once...

Whichever reason is enough for ya, get one and decide which YOU like better. Then dress your rifle that way.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

It depends on what your needs are. A telestock comes in handy if you have one rifle that several different people are shooting. It is also nice if you need to shorten the rifle up to get a good square stance for moving and shooting. I do a lot of things with my rifle. I might shoot High Power style. I might do a little 3-gun. I might take some friends and their kids out shooting. The telestock is nice in that it is versatile and some of the high-end telestocks (like the Magpul M93) give up nothing to a fixed stock except price.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I put a six-position folding M4 style stock on my Romanian WASR and love it. I got it from ACE Ltd so it is rock solid--much more so than the cheap POS Tapco folding stock I had on it before. I am 6'5" so I found the standard LOP for the Kalashnikov was somewhat short for me and without any muzzle device to tame recoil, I found the back of the receiver hitting me in the chin/cheek with just enough force to be distracting. With the M4 style stock, I can open it up all the way and there is too much LOP, shorten it all the way and have the standard LOP if I ever have a pack or body armor, or open it up two clicks and have it just perfect. I took one of my friends out shooting. She's only like 5'6". When she shouldered the rifle she commented on how it was too long for her. I said "no problem" and just collapsed the stock. Problem solved. I love it.

 

[ny32182]

While I don't mind using the normal M4 style stock, I have found that the LMT SOPMOD stock offers a much more comfortable cheek rest (in addition to battery storage) than a normal M4 type. It also doesn't have the "rattle" associated with it when using a milspec tube, like some others do. It also has a rubberized butt pad. It adjusts with the same style lever as a normal M4 stock.

In your situation though, I'd just recommend building a second lower with a telestock from the ground up. You can put your existing upper on there and give it a try. If you like it, you can keep using that configuration and/or buy a second upper and have two rifles. If you don't like it, you can just sell it and not be out much money, and not have your fixed stock lower messed up.

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

Great responses...Thanx,

Bat Masterson, at room clearing distance, Point Fire with shoulder fired weapons is easily Minute of B/G...So the room clearing is less than a concern.

I really think it is the aesthetic of the true M4 I am after, and don't want to ruin what has become my favorite(and first) long gun.

NY32182, I think you just hit the nail on the head! I can build a stag lower with Rock river parts for like 200 and have a second gun for later(maybe a 20",hmmm). You guys know the disease, any excuse to build/buy and add to the group .

 

[pauli]

i love it.

"well i don't know, man. i've got this rifle, and it fits perfectly. maybe i should change the stock."

 

[Harry Tuttle]

check out the magpul stock

 

[ny32182]

NY32182, I think you just hit the nail on the head! I can build a stag lower with Rock river parts for like 200 and have a second gun for later(maybe a 20",hmmm). You guys know the disease, any excuse to build/buy and add to the group .

Yeah, I know all about it, heh...

If you do a 20" rifle, you will probably want the fixed stock to be on that one. Just due to balance issues and intended uses, the telestocks usually go with the carbines, and the fixed stocks go better with the full length rifles.

 

[Father Knows Best]

On a related note....

I was at my local toy store today, and for some reason had an urge to browse the case of AR's. I've got a G3, FAL, AK and a couple of Garands, but the AR family has never really appealed to me.

Anyway, I found myself strangely attracted to a Colt in the case. When I got back to my office, I looked it up online. It's this one, the "Match Target M4":

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/MTM4.asp

I note that according to Colt's website, the stock is "non-retractable". It sure looks like a retractable stock to me. What's up with that? Why doesn't Colt sell it with the retractable stock? Can it be replaced with a retractable stock?

 

[boing]

Colt clings to the AWB, but then they've been known for jack-ass marketing moves before. TMK, their "civilian" models are still neutered, but I don't keep up with Colts. The Klinton stock can be replaced with a standard M4, or other collapseable. Be aware that the true M4 buffer tube is a different diameter than others. Someone more knowledgeable can give you the details.

On a carbine, I prefer the collapseable stock over the A2. The weight, or the bulk, I don't know, it just feels "better".

 

[NMshooter]

I prefer an adjustable LOP to a fixed stock.

Simply no other way to go.

Try shooting squared off at your target and you will begin to see.

This is the have your cake and eat it option, and it works for all barrel lengths and gas system lengths.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I note that according to Colt's website, the stock is "non-retractable". It sure looks like a retractable stock to me. What's up with that? Why doesn't Colt sell it with the retractable stock? Can it be replaced with a retractable stock?

The Match Target was designed during the ban years as an M4-copy for the civilian market (some are even marked M4 Carbine on the lower), so it has the muzzle brake and non-retractable stock. I believe the Match Target is the 6721. The LE6920 has the flash hider and retractable stock from the factory; but it would be easy enough to add either to the Match Target if you don't mind spending the additional money.

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

Hey Harry, I am afraid to go look for myself,

Would you mind sending me a PM with the cost of that Magpul stock? My guess is over 150big ones .

 

[NMshooter]

TMC, check out www.adcofirearms.com www.bravocompanyusa.com that should get you started.

When your credit card bursts into flames do not blame me...

 

[ny32182]

Colt doesn't want lowly civilians owning rifles with evil features.

It is my understanding that they will only sell the LE6920 to cops and government. I think I'll buy one anyway, just to use as a safe queen to go with my LMT carbine, but thats about the last money I plan to give to Colt. I'd take a Bushy or RR over any of their "match target" stuff.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

you only buy quality once

i picked up the magpul stock A2 last winter in the arf.com group buy

the current A2 sale price is a good deal:
http://www.bizplaces.com/magpul/sea...chParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&iLevel=1

Magpul M93A2 Carbine Stock
Description: MSS M93A2 Carbine Stock- Includes M93A2 Stock, M9 Buffer Tube and all mounting Hardware. THIS ITEM CANNOT BE SHIPPED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT A VALID EXPORT PERMIT
Price: $225.00
Sale Price: $190.00