My two cents: I have a good friend who just completed a build of a .458 Socom AR with Wilson Combat parts, and he added one of the stocks that is pictured a few times above with the adjustable cheek riser. I got to shoot it this week, and naturally, I stuck my face right up in there where Mako seems to think I would, and this stock beat me up pretty bad with the higher recoil of that rifle. There were way too many rough edges, adjustment points, and just too much "stuff" to catch on my face, much less any gear that the user might have. I suspect that with the 15-22 the recoil would not be an issue, but I have to admit I was anxious to look in the mirror after trying this, as I would have bet money that I was bleeding.
From a purely visual point of view (only my opinion), it just all seems like way too much for a rifle format that is built on pure simplicity. Too many finger slots, everything seems over-sized to me, and it's just plain tacky.
I never would have considered myself to be "old school" by any means, but I don't think that the AR format has caught up with the futuristic look of most of the accessories that are pictured here, and frankly I hope it never does.
Cool story, but this is on a 15-22. In my other thread, I did write that I sat down and cleaned up all of the sharp edges and untrimmed flashing, so the riser and other parts are smooth all around. I didn't order it for the riser, I could care less about it, I ordered the combo because it was cheaper than ordering the 2 parts one by one (stock and mag well grip), and it came with the riser. I'm not using it, but I found it is perfect for my wife to line up her head with my green dot.
While I did clean it up, none of the sharp edges or flashing were anywhere they would touch my face. Not too sure how you are shooting with one of these, maybe with your face in front of the riser when it is up?
Beyond that, the only parts "sticking out" are the two knobs that adjust the riser, which are also not sharp or rough.
The riser assembly comes off easily enough if I decide to take it off, but since it is my rifle, I figure I'll leave it on if I want to.
There are only 2 points that adjust, the standard adjustment for a collapsable AR stock, and the riser height adjustment. 2 adjustment points is too much?
And finger slots? Too large? What?!? I'm pretty sure there are no slots for your fingers on here and the thing is actually a bit smaller than the Magpul ACS in most respects, but perhaps a tiny bit wider at the battery compartment.
As I said before, the AGR-43 will be slightly lighter than the polymer parts. I am looking at one now that I installed about 5 months ago, and it now matches the polymer parts - they darken with use as the rubber will hold more carbon and oils than the polymer parts as you use it.
As far as fit of the grips on the M&P 15-22, keep in mind that they were designed for use with MIL-SPEC rifles and the M&P 15-22 lower has a different shape, so fit will not be exact.
That has nothing to do with it Mr Mako, lighter shade it is not, it's a completely different color. I live in the desert, out in New Mexico, I know desert colors. Everything else matches pretty well, even between the Magpul and Mako stuff, not perfect, but close enough. These are "different shades". The AGR is a very light beach sand color, looks like the color of the sand from when I was in Saint Croix last year. The FDE is just that, Flat Dark Earth, a brownish color.
Yes, if I go change the oil on my car, pick up the grip, and use it for an hour or so that way, it'll be darker, but that's not what I bought here, nor am I going to do that. Funny that my Magpul Foliage stuff, bought from different sources, all matches. The grip even looks the same as the rest of it after almost 2 years...
Hell, even 2 different model PMAGs in the same color, ordered a year apart, still match perfectly.
Now, if I could just get Mako to get me return authorization for the broken and mismatched grip. Took 12 days to get a reply from them this time.
Also, so anyone that sees this knows, yes, the Mako stocks are ONE size fits all. They do this by having 2 tabs on the buffer tube channel that push against the tube to cause friction.
YES, it still wobbles, not bad, but similar to the stock that came on the MOE versions. I do love the stock, but the way they went about doing this instead of just making 2 different versions is annoying. After years of use, you'll have some wear on your buffer tube (metal ones may even lose their finish I'd think), and the wobble will probably get worse because of wear on the little compression tabs. Interesting idea, but I'm not sure about the long term.
I'm sure we'll hear about it in the next few hours from Mako Man.
Oh, and the last comment on the Mako stuff I've bought. Every single piece I've gotten from them needs touching up. The rail covers need a sanding block or the corners are sharp enough to cut you, not to mention the flashing there and on the edges. I mentioned the stock, but even the AGR TAN grip I got would need some clean up with a razor if I were to put it on.
ALL of my Magpul stuff, the only thing I've ever cleaned up are the sprue points on the magazines, and that's only because I'm OCD about plastic parts.
