Rastoff's "How we were trained" first pic is my experience as well. I also use 10 round mags so I can tuck up even tighter (keeping the mag from tearing at my arm).
But I do have to admit that I trained with an M1. They didn't have enough of those new-fangled rifles for us.
I even went looking for 5 round mini14 mags for the same reason.

As to the buttpad on the stock, regardless of all the "it won't hurt comments", I have some serious bone loss from cancer, and have a replacement pad on mine (magpul) as well. I can pull a 6 inch diameter bruise from leaning against the wall.