Building an AR. Stock suggestions?

[Rastoff]

So, I'm building a new AR. The upper is built; 16" stainless barrel, muzzle brake, low pro gas block, free float forearm, flat top receiver.

The lower is in progress. To get off the ground I'm just going to order a mill spec parts kit. I'll have to add a stock.

The generic 6 position stock is OK, but I was wondering if y'all had any preferences for something different? I'm open to anything.

[gunny4053]

What else can I say, MAGPUL. The MOE is alright, some like the STR, but I prefer the CTR. The additional clamp makes for a very nice wiggle free fit, it has a QD connection, and the rubber butt pad is very good as well.

There's my 2 cents.

Good Luck and good shooting.

[AR-Getsome]

A2 fixed stock. Something different. I was thinking about putting one on mine or just building another ar with a fixed stock. Even with my m4 style collapsible stock, it's usually always in the fully extend position when I'm shooting.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Some guys priority is light weight while others want storage. Some guys want QD points for a sling. Others think a friction lock is the way to go, and some folks just like the looks of a particular stock and really don't care about anything else. Once you got your priorities figured out then it's a lot easier to select the stock that best matches.

I have a Magpul CTR. It has QD points for my MS4 sling. It's got a friction lock which I think is overrated. It weighs a couple ounces more than a typical 6pos stock and has no storage.

[Rastoff]

Enough storage for a couple of CR123 batteries would be nice, but it's not a necessity.

[gdogs]

With the exception of my GWACS, all my AR's wear Ace ARFX stocks. Lightweight, foam is never hot or cold to the touch, and plenty of options available for slings. Unless you are sometimes wearing a vest, I see no reason for an adjustable stock. But that's just me.

[BillyJack2012]

I have a standard AR stock, A2 stock for my M4 clone, STR and MOE. All good stocks but I'm really drawn towards the B5 Bravo. So simple, classic lines and great fit. QD isn't important to me on a stock as I wouldn't mount a sling there but it has that too.

[eschoendorff]

I really like the Magpul ACS. But I also like a more substantial stock.

[Dezfan]

Just made the move to the Mission First Tactical Minimalist stock from a Magpul MOE stock and I'm very pleased with it.

Battlelink Minimalist Stock from MFT - YouTube

[78Staff]

Other than looking at variables like storage, clamping, QD, cool factor, etc you should be aware of cheek weld. Some think it's not too important on a AR, esp for a plinker or CQB build, but the reality is imo it can make a big difference, esp if shooting over 100 meters.

Best option if you have a decent LGS with AR inventory is to check out a few - for instance a local shop here the owner has about 20 of his personal AR's on the all with all different manner of accessories, all kinds of different builds, which is nice b/c you can get a feel for the item actually on the rifle instead of going by online pics and what not...

For me, changing to the STR with the additional cheek weld was a large improvement over the stock collapsible or CTR style. However, there are plenty of people who like less cheek weld, it's all personal preference and what allows you to sight and shoot most effectively. Most stock and CTR-like buttstocks have very litte cheek weld, the STR has more, and the ACL the most. Similarity, in the Bravo I believe the B5 has more than stock, and the SOPMOD has the most

Here's a pic, not my pic, pulled from TOS - showing the difference between common Magpul buttstocks... It's really best if you can try out a few before buying, at $60-$100 and more even, it can get costly if you have to swap them out...

[78Staff]

Oh, I also agree with Chattanooga Phil - for a S&W lower anyway, the friction lock is overrated. My mil-spec STR has no wobble even w/o the friction lock engaged.

[Woodman90]

I like the magpul CTR and ACS stocks. If your not in a hurry check around and catch one on sale. I bought my last few on black Friday and got a really good deal.

[Geno44]

On a side note, a quality trigger is a real plus depending on how you will use this rifle. The cheapest time to obtain a quality trigger may be when ordering the original parts kit as you are only paying the difference between it and the basic trigger. I'm a sucker for a good trigger.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Nice post on the profiles, 78staff. You're right, the profiles are really so user subjective it's impossible to recommend.

[Rastoff]

Thanks for that post 78Staff.

Originally Posted by 78Staff

It's really best if you can try out a few before buying, at $60-$100 and more even, it can get costly if you have to swap them out...

This is exactly why I started this. I don't have a shop with many different stocks. So, I'm asking here to see what guys like and what they don't.

It's not impossible to recommend, just say why you like it. For example, the comment on the friction lock helps a lot. This means it's something that may not be a big selling point.

There are so many options out there it's hard to pick one without holding it. I appreciate all the input here.

[JaPes]

I'm an aftermarket simpleton when it comes to stocks. I like a Magpul MOE with an enhanced butt pad. The little wobble doesn't bother me and I don't need an integral QD mount.

[jdh]

Not much of a fan of the adjustables. I am partial to the Ace Skeleton.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The reason I said the friction lock is overrated is that it's more of a personal fuss than a function issue requiring a fix. Most adjustable stocks will be a bit loose on the reciver extension tube. If you grab the stock with your hand and wiggle it, it will wiggle a bit. But when you shoulder the rifle it don't matter. With a friction lock it clamps down on the receiver extension tube and prevents you from making it wiggle. The wiggle drives some guys nuts... and Magpul has made a lot if money from nuts AR owners.

[RDFabsRep]

I have and love the MOE--just wish I had gone with a mil-spec tube instead of the commercial one.

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by RDFabsRep

I have and love the MOE--just wish I had gone with a mil-spec tube instead of the commercial one.

Why? Isn't the commercial one just a tad larger? From what I've seen so far, every company makes the same stock in both mil-spec and commercial configurations. So, why should I care?

[78Staff]

Originally Posted by Rastoff

Thanks for that post 78Staff.
This is exactly why I started this. I don't have a shop with many different stocks. So, I'm asking here to see what guys like and what they don't.

It's not impossible to recommend, just say why you like it. For example, the comment on the friction lock helps a lot. This means it's something that may not be a big selling point.

There are so many options out there it's hard to pick one without holding it. I appreciate all the input here.

Yeah I wouldn't discount the friction lock, but wouldn't not get a stock just b/c it had one either. It's all about Fit. The STR and ACL are wider b/c they also store batteries. The ACL-light is basically the same design as the ACL w/o the battery tubes, so wider than stock but slimmer than the battery storage version. the ACL line also has the little triangle-shaped storage compartment which is good for a small bottle of oil, or batteries, etc. I like the STR, don't really need battery storage but it works best for me. I could probably get away with the ACL-Light also I suspect. The full ACL I found to be too wide. I actually bought two STR's, one for the AR and one for the 15-22. LGS though I was crazy to buy a $100 stock for a $400 rifle, but hey - it works for me, and it's my money .

[Dezfan]

Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil

The reason I said the friction lock is overrated is that it's more of a personal fuss than a function issue requiring a fix. Most adjustable stocks will be a bit loose on the reciver extension tube. If you grab the stock with your hand and wiggle it, it will wiggle a bit. But when you shoulder the rifle it don't matter. With a friction lock it clamps down on the receiver extension tube and prevents you from making it wiggle. The wiggle drives some guys nuts... and Magpul has made a lot if money from nuts AR owners.

Just another reason to like the MFT Minimalist.

It fits nice and snug w/ no wobble.

[BadKarmaZeroSix]

Depends on how ur setting the rifle up...HD and CQB shooting, i would recommend Magpul ACS-L...if ur gonna be more of an accuracy/prone shooter, i really like the PRS, though its a bit pricier...im a magpul fan, only one of their stocks i DONT like is the UBR, but thats only because it pulls my facial hair for some reason