Last night while doing a little online study on the 15-22, I realized that the buffer tube has a cap on the butt plate and that it can be used for storage... not unlike a storage compartment on some hand grips, like Magpul. I am rather new to this gun and never realized this. I saw there was a discussion on here late last year, before I joined, and it was mostly about if you had a cap (plug) or not. Seems to be no rhyme or reason... some have it, some don't.

From an online review, I found the following info. The end of the buffer tube is hollow & starts out at about .88" in diameter at the end and tapers to some smaller diameter as you get closer to the lower receiver. At the narrowest point, it is still capable of holding a 123A battery with a little extra room. This hollow area is about 6.88" deep.

So my question is, how do y'all use this storage? What do you keep in there & how do you "package" it to ensure it doesn't rattle. I read a little about folks keeping batteries, cleaning supplies such as a boresnake, survival items, etc.

Also, when I Google this, I don't see where any other parts manufacturers have come out with any accessories for this part of the gun. Seems to me there would be interest in having maybe modules, like Magpul uses, that could fit in there & be easily removable. I could picture a clamshell device, not unlike how the 22Sparrow suppressor works. At a minimum, looks like someone could come up with a better plug... something that would remove easier & could be used by the folks with no factory installed plug. Maybe some of this stuff is out there, but I just don't see it.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

I use it to keep my boresnake but it could easily be used to keep survival gear, firestrikers, a few more emergency rounds (wrapped up securely of course), small allen wrenches for your accessories, etc.

__________________
M&P15-22/Moss500/Glock27/SKS

I keep paracord in there. If you want to keep batteries in it, just wrap them in cloth or paper towel so they don't rattle around.

__________________
M&P40c/15-22/SD9VE/Mossy500

I keep extra batteries in my Magpul grip plus have folding BUIS & really wonder if I need cleaning supplies in the gun, as I have all that in my range bag. I'm thinking along the lines of survival gear, as you state. I guess thinking of worst case of getting lost or stuck in the woods, maybe while hunting or camping.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

I like to keep rice and beans in mine.

I "had" the cheap plastic plug in my buffer to begin with. A few months ago I noticed that it was no longer there. It must have fallen out at some undetermined time/location. A better, waterproof plug would be in order for me to feel confident for putting much gear in there. Wouldn't be hard to make a waterproof rubber plug. Maybe that will be my next project after finishing my current ones.

Since I have a recoil pad (I know...what for right? It's more for aesthetics ), it prevents the plug from disappearing.

__________________
M&P15-22/Moss500/Glock27/SKS

Recoil pads also help anchor the rifle in your shoulder, non slippery rubber .vs plastic? I have rubber on mine too.

I also have one of these and will possibly putting my BS in it as well.

KBK

Just seems to me these aftermarket suppliers, folks that make upgrades to charging handles or maybe brass deflectors, would see an opportunity here. I would pay to have a better storage solution.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

I store stuff in my bag, or my pants, shorts,shirt,jacket not my rifle.

Any specific reason for not using a storage compartment built in to the rifle? My pistol grip has specific compartments to allow me to store batteries or even a replacement bolt & firing pin for my AR. Trying to think why I would want batteries or bolts/firing pins in my pants or jacket.

As I said before, for me I'm thinking of items that I might need if separated from my range bag.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

Same here. Since 99 percent of my shooting is at the range, it stays empty.

I perfectly understand that logic. I would think on rifle storage would be for those that take their weapons out hunting or camping. I don't shoot at a range.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

good place for those tactical treats

Mmmmmmmm, 6.88" of nice venison jerky!

I will agree with this.

I am not a soldier nor do I play one on tv. But I did stay at a holiday inn express last night.. I think the storage parts on a rifle will be much suited for a combat situation holding critical replacement parts. I don't hunt, so im sure it will work well for hunters too. But for range use and competitions..... Nope. I store sail boat fule in it. (AIR) As far as keeping my firing pin and batteries etc in my pockets with my chewing gum, no. They wouldnt be mixed together. I would of course have Major critical parts in a bail out bag or something to that matter.

I guess my point is, if there is a market for a tiny storage compartment in a grip, then I would think there is a market for a larger compartment in the buffer tube.

Guess I will have my shop guys work something up for me. Where I come from, there are no ranges so we use our guns out in the fields & woods. We camp & hunt with them also. In most of those situations, bringing a heavy range bag is not an option. Normally would just bring a gun & some ammo, so to me, I see a use for this unexpected storage area. But I certainly see where you non-rednecks wouldn't need it.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

Everyone's got a point but something about the prepper in me keeps telling me to put some kind of tool, part, ration, or something in the buffer tube space. Gotta stop watching so much National Geographic Channel I guess .

__________________
M&P15-22/Moss500/Glock27/SKS

I'd say, since you want to put something in it that will be useful in the wild for prepping, go with a survival fishing kit. It would fit in there nicely and you'd be able to use your rifle as the rod if needed.

__________________
M&P40c/15-22/SD9VE/Mossy500

I'd love something like that. I'm putting one of those toolkits in my AR M4 Magpul handgrip, but the chance to do something more with this one would be great.

A nice prepacked cleaning kit, and minor tools to help you field strip/adjust sights would be fantastic.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2

__________________
Disabled Army Vet - 37F/82C

I've seen lots of people purchase stocks that have storage areas in them. Granted, most people probably don't use these outside of "combat" and hunting, but I think the OP is onto something with the idea of using space that is already available. All it would take is a simple rubber plug.

Maybe a spinoff thread is needed: "What additional items to do you carry IN your rifle?"

I envision some better plug. Something more positive in locking down. I also see something where when you pull out the plug, an actual storage compartment comes out with it.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

...also maybe a screw cap with a rubber gasket to make it airtight and waterproof.

__________________
M&P15-22/Moss500/Glock27/SKS

Exactly.....

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

Keep in mind that anything additional to the gear you plan to put inside the buffer tube will cut down on the available space. There's not a terribly large amount of area to work with. Sorry, just stating the obvious.

otis micro kit, batteries for the eotech, and a small 3ml bottle of MGL is what I'd keep in mine. Luckily my Vltor stock that came with the PC has 2 pockets that I can use instead. Not like I ever use it regularly.. but you never know when you may need it.

I use mine to hold milk in hopes that someday Majorlk will come through with that cookie he owes me!

__________________
Molon Labe!

Oh hell no, I just figured out what I'm going to put in mine for survival...

Red Vines!

Oh! Jolly Ranchers!

Blasted from my Samsung Galaxy SIII (CM10.1 Masta Mix).

__________________
Disabled Army Vet - 37F/82C

Agree but there is much more space in the buffer tube than inside a pistol grip... correct? Also, seems to me you would treat it just like the pistol grip in that you can simply have a plug, that closes off the compartment or you could choose to insert some sort of parts carrier. No different than Magpul grips, where you can order specialized compartments that hold specific parts rattle free.

Obviously, Magpul can sell to the entire AR market where this would be limited to the 15-22 only. But seems to me there are some suppliers around that make small run components, just for this gun. I'm thinking this might be something one of them might want to offer.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

You know, I assume most folks posting here must be old farts like me... and the Major. I note no one suggested storing condoms.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

...or meth.

Don't need them, the wife is fixed. Lol

Blasted from my Samsung Galaxy SIII (CM10.1 Masta Mix).

__________________
Disabled Army Vet - 37F/82C

I've got storage compartments in my Houge grip (that's basically unusable due to the ridiculously tight fit of the cap) and the ACS-L stock. Despite about 90% of my shooting taking place at one range or another I do actually use the stock storage to hold the MBUS front site wrench, a few allen and torx keys wrapped in a short section of paracord and a couple of velcro ties, and a couple of AAA batteries for the RDS. I find it more convenient to have the various weapon specific sundries stored in the weapon itself than have to dig through a range bag/backpack to find them.

I've test fit a boresnake and/or Otis cable/brush/patches and a syringe of CLP in the tube w/ a good bit of room to spare but it's just a bit more inconvenient to get at than leaving them in the range bag/backpack so I'd probably want to buy a 2nd set of the above so it could just live w/ the rifle.

I'd imagine you could fit a pretty substantial little repair or survival kit in there if you were so inclined.

Took out the boresnake from the buffer tube, folded it up and shoved it into the pistol grip space. Amazingly its a very snug fit and holds well!! It would be great if there was a plug for the grip too but oh well. Hopefully, some aftermarket company will come up with something.

__________________
M&P15-22/Moss500/Glock27/SKS

A spot for a paper clip, chewing gum, dental floss and a match!

Doesn't anyone remember MacGyver? You can do just about anything with those items.

I guess I can't use this storage since I have a pinned stock....right?

The hole in the tube is there, whether the stock is pinned or not. Look at the end of the buttstock.

So, all you need is the meth???

Add some tin foil to that and you are set for any tight fight with a short stick!

I've never seen a pinned stock, being from Mississippi, however the way I see it, you only have access to the end of the buffer tube when the stock is fully collapsed. Yes there is a hole in the butt plate, but when the stock is fully extended, the end of the buffer tube & associated cap, is way inside the stock.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

Nope, the hole is there, no matter the position of the stock. I'm looking at the hole right now. And not everyone has a plug - three 15-22s and not one of them has a plug.

With the stock extended, the hole is 10.75" deep.

The pinned stock guys actually have a bit of an advantage here, provided that some type of carrier/organizer is used as Redneck Jim suggested. They would be able to use space in the tube and whatever cavity was left in the stock. It would take some design work, just saying that the real estate is available.

As the old saying goes, "just put a cork in it."

I actually have room for fiddy rounds and a condom.

Yea I "think" the pinned stocks didn't have a plug and the collapsible stocks did have plugs... I think that's what came out of a pass thread...

Could well be ...

A cigarette and lighter... just in case I ever need that last smoke.

I understand with the stock fully extended, you get the added benefit of including the hole in the stock with the cavity in the buffer tube. However, I would struggle to find a way to properly cap that opening. I would think the uniform dimension & smooth surface of the buffer tube would allow some sort of mating device that could possibly have threads.

I guess I had 2 reasons for starting this thread. To inform or remind folks the unique nature of the 15-22 gives us storage space in the buffer tube... something not possible in an AR. Also to maybe give someone an idea to come up with an aftermarket addition to the rifle. Any such addition, I would think, would have to be designed for the masses (adjustable stock) as opposed to those so unfortunate to live in a state that makes them pin the ding danged stock. I mean sure, now that it is pinned, you folks can't stick the rifle in your front right pants pocket like we that have adjustable stocks can.

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

Plain old cork or rubber plug ...

You sure you don't come from Mississippi?

__________________
FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO