CAR or Rifle buttstock?

[jakk280rem]

About a year ago i purchased a stripped ar-15 lower. i got distracted by other, shinnier guns and it has been collecting dust ever since. I have finally decided to revisit this project and complete it in time for summer. I have been selecting components and will be using a CMMG upper. an 18" 1:8 twist w/ a RLGS.

I dont have much exposure to the ar-15 and funds are limited, so I can't constantly swap parts out to find what works. Are there any limitations or concerns with using a CAR buffer/spring/buttstock with the 18" barrel and Rifle Length Gas System? Would i be better off using a rifle buffer/spring/stock? Can anyone recomend a buttstock for a rifle like the one i mentioned mounting a small low power fixed or variable scope? Thanks for your help.

 

[Coronach]

If you have a rifle-length tube you should have a rifle buffer and spring. If you have a carbine tube you should have a carbine buffer and spring. I know from experience that you can get malfunctions if you mix and match. AFAIK, the gas system and bbl length up front doesn't have much bearing on the buffer and spring selection in the back.

As to which is better for you, consider the following:

Do you need the ability to adjust the stock? Does the rifle fit you OK with either the A1 or A2 lengths (try both, in every position that you anticipate shooting)? Will you be shooting the rifle with varying gear/clothes (heavy coat or armor)? Does the rifle have a "secondary user" who is built differently from you?

Any of these will add up to a plus on the side of the adjustable stock. OTOH, if you don't need it, the rifle is cheaper, less complex, and more robust with a fixed stock.

As far as collapsible stocks go, I like the CTR and the UBR stocks by Magpul. They're a lot more solid than the standard M4 stock, and can be preset to the length you want. Plus, the UBR is designed to improve cheekweld by putting the "fixed" portion of the stock forward (look up an image of the UBR and you'll understand). It is heavier than most ajustable stocks, but if you're using a heavier barrel and an rifle-length gas system, it might help balance it out better.

Mike

 

[jakk280rem]

(try both, in every position that you anticipate shooting)

this would be pretty hard for me to do. i dont have access to a bunch of ar's. i have shot only two, and at the time i wasn't paying attention. or even knew what to pay attention to.

i have noticed that i prefer a shorter length of pull on almost all my rifles. even a stantard factory stocked hunting rifle i find too long by about an inch, wich is odd. i'm a big guy, 6' 2" 270, not all of it in the arms and chest if you know what i mean.

Will you be shooting the rifle with varying gear/clothes (heavy coat or armor)? Does the rifle have a "secondary user" who is built differently from you?

while some variation in clothing is to be expected, i very seriously doubt i will find myself in the position to have body armor, let alone wear it. i will be the only user of the rifle, if i loan it to a buddy to shoot, he will just have to make do. the overall purpose of the rifle is a slightly enhanced utility rifle with some of the handier aspects of a carbine whithout the fussiness of the short gas system.

i kinda like that ubr. i was looking at the command arms cbs with the add on cheek piece, but it looks kinda light and flimsy. any experience with these?

 

[Coronach]

I've seen 'em. They're not bad, but they don't seem as robust as the Magpul UBR (to be fair, nothing does, and they seem no worse than your standard M4 stock). They are lighter and less expensive.

Mike

 

[Coronach]

Another thing to consider is that fixed stocks are less likely to fall victim to legislative action than are adjustable ones. As in, if you have a fixed stock and decide later to get as adjustable one, you may be out of luck, where if you were in the other position you may better off going from adjustable to fixed (and might even make money, but that would be VERY dependent on what law is passed, if any). Certainly the current supply of adjustable stocks is sketchy (in and aout of stock most every place), but fixed stocks are 100% available.

Mike

 

[jakk280rem]

yeah, i kinda wish i hadn't let it sit so long. when i first started looking into stocks the first thing that caught my eye was the ace stocks. i might just stick with that. i'm just afraid it'd be too long.

 

[Coronach]

The UBR is available. You just need to shop around. I got mine from, I think, LaRue. Bravo Company and Midway may have them as well.

Mike