M16A2 Buttstock Conversion

[Killermonkey21]

Hello All,

I am currently deployed to Iraq (again) and this time I am not benefited by being in an Airborne unit (82nd Abn Div last time) so my life rests on a trusty musket...errrr....M16A2. My job is changing soon from a comfy Fobbit position (did convoy's last time, my turn to relax ) to a job that requires a little more maneuverability with my weapon. I have gotten the go ahead from the Armorer and my Platoon Sgt to go ahead with this plan. My questions:

1. What is required to convert a M16A2 buttstock to a collapsible M4 style (not neccesarily MilSpec)?

2. Where would be the best place to buy these parts from?

3. Is there anything to look out for when doing this conversion?

4. Any stock reccomendations? The SOPMOD style never really appealed to me, so I was thinking either the MagPul one or something similar (cheekrest preferably).

I really appreciate any and all input into this matter. I've never had much of a problem with the M16A2 reliability or performance wise, but you don't really know until you try to use one with body armor. Ha. Room clearing with a musket. Take care

Regards,
SGT John V.
2nd ID, US Army

 

[highorder]

I have gotten the go ahead from the Armorer and my Platoon Sgt to go ahead with this plan.

It's a simple parts swap. I'm surprised the armorer doesn't have what you need lying around?

 

[AR-15 Rep]

There could be some things to consider:
If swapping it with a commercial setup, make sure to get a heavier buffer for the M-16.
and make sure it is a CAR length setup.
It is kind of surprising the Armorer does not have a Buttstock he could swap out for you though... with all govt parts...

 

[DMK]

If you can't get the parts through your unit armorer, everything you need is here. I used this kit to swap mine:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=9944/Product/A_4_COLLAPSIBLE_BUTTSTOCK

Get the stock kit, plus a carbine length buffer (rifle buffer is too long). You can use your existing spring.

You also need this wrench to tighten the castle nut on the new stock.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=41045/sku/M4_Stock_Wrench

I've never worked on a full auto AR15/M16 so I'm not sure which heavier buffer you need or why. Weigh your current one if you can. Brownells can help you if you email them.

Here's a Colt H2 buffer:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26578/Product/H2_HEAVY_BUFFER_ASSEMBLY

Here's another (5.4oz) from DPMS:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=5574/Product/CAR_15_COUNTERWEIGHT_BUFFER

 

[Shadow Man]

1: Not much. Buffer tube, collapsible stock assembly, and the right tools to get the job done.
2: Any number of online aftermarket retailers.
3: Extra's required to fit stocks that may not be mentioned with the stock description.

Magpul's are good, take a look at ACE stocks, I used one and never had an issue with it.

I carried an M-16A3 Flattop with an ACE stock for awhile, it did yoeman's service for me. Good luck.

 

[ants]

With a stock wrench, the actual parts exchange takes 3 to 5 minutes at the most.

And it should take your armorer a few minutes to gather the parts required. And a couple minutes to complain about it. Altogether, a ten minute job from beginning to end.

But it will probably take a lot longer to order parts online and get them delivered to APO/FPO. If they screw up the order, or you inadvertently order a commercial tube and a milspec stock, it will take a lot longer. Altogether, it will be a lot longer than 10 minutes.

 

[Killermonkey21]

Oops.

 

[Killermonkey21]

I'm thinking about ordering this http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemDetail.aspx?sku=ARR-215 to convert it, that's all the parts I need, right? I can get a wrench from the armorer I think.

In regards to parts lying around yes he could do it, in theory, if he could just order the parts. But in general we don't have M4 parts just lying around. I wish. Thanks for the help guys!

-SGT John V.

 

[CA2005]

You'll be hard pressed finding a unit armorer that will do this conversion. In my unit, if we were to do such a swap our butts would be chewed hard..and then some. Your best bet is to talk them into issuing an M4, if possible.

 

[Killermonkey21]

The only reason I have an M4 (all NCO's are supposed to have them, supposedly) is that we had to give them up to the other Batteries, leaving us holding the M16 end of the stick. And like I said, I already have the go ahead from the armorer and my platoon SGT. Whats the worst that can happen? "Change it back!" ...Ok. Now I have parts for my AR-15 build when I get back

 

[hatchetbearer]

id always heard a collapsible stock on a rifle length upper made for a crappy combo. but that tapco setup uses a commercial dia. which would work, although if it breaks you arent going to be able to get a replacement easy. id find something milspec if i was dead set on doing this. I know if i modded a weapon in my unit, id be standing in front of the man.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

id always heard a collapsible stock on a rifle length upper made for a crappy combo.

They look ugly but there is nothing wrong with it as long as it works well for the person using it.

 

[Al Thompson]

KM21, I'd skip Tapco and CTD for a number of reasons.. Try Bravo Company - cost is higher, but the quality is much better.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/M4-Stock-Milspec-p/stock m4 milspec black - gen2.htm

 

[Coronach]

Whats the worst that can happen? "Change it back!"

Ha! Haha! Hahahahahahahahahhaha.

Famous last words.

Mike

 

[fordfan485]

If the army wanted you to have a collapsible m16a2 they would have issued it to you.

-SGT A.

 

[Shung]

What is required to convert a M16A2 buttstock to a collapsible M4 style (not neccesarily MilSpec)?

a buffer tube, a heavy buffer, a spring, a stock, and a plate.

I have everything you need exept the heavy buffer. I'd gladly have gifted it to you, but since you must order a heavy buffer anyway, it would just complicate things..

 

[Al Thompson]

If the army wanted you to have a collapsible m16a2 they would have issued it to you.

As long as he has top cover from his chain of command (and he said he does), no big deal. I find the Army much less concerned with modifications these days. Especially modifications that help.

 

[Owen]

Make sure you change the buffer, you'll have excessive bolt bounce without it, which can cause malfunctions

 

[RainDownmyBlues]

I honestly never mucjh cared for the M4. I was airborne so we were issued them, my last tour I was a SDM and MUCH prefered that rifle, but most don't get to carry it. But yes, as long as he gets the GO from command he can fix up his rifle as long as it doesn't cause any other problems. Changing the stock wont as long as he changes to a MIL Spec buffer.

 

[MrCleanOK]

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR15-Stocks-s/49.htm

Since this is going on an issued rifle, replace the fixed buttstock with something of equal or greater quality. You won't go wrong with something from BravoCo.

The IMPORTANT difference between mil-spec and commercial buffer tubes isn't the diameter. It's how they are made. Mil-spec tubes have rolled threads, which are pressed into the metal. This actually increases the strength of the material in the threads, and leaves rounded corners which are less vulnerable to fatigue failure. Commercial buffer tubes have cut threads. The corners are sharp, and the surface of the part is left covered in small gouges from the tooling. These are stress concentration points which make cut threads more vulnerable to fatigue failure.