I have been shooting 3 gun for about two full seasons with my Armalite 18".  It is the 2014 version just before Armalite came out with their current version of 3-gun rifles.  Being that my rifle has a heavy profile 18" barrel, there is a lot of weight out front.  The rifle initially came with a Magpul MOE collapsible stock which I almost immediately replaced with a full size stock to offer the rifle better balance.

While it does make the rifle feel more balanced overall, this feeling may not actually equate to any better shooting/handling characteristics since the added weight is closest to my body during movement (such as swinging from target to target).

I know that many Professionals use fixed length stocks, but many of them have adjustable stocks or such and I don't think that they are doing it to add weight or balance to the rifle.

I would be curious to hear some opinions, especially from anyone who has gone from an adjustable stock to a full stock or vice versa.

The various stocks you see will be for fit and weight more than anything. I personally use a MagPul PRS stock on my 3gun AR. A2 length was always a little long for me, and the PRS starts at A1 length which is shorter, and I'm able to dial it in exactly where I want it.

The main reason I have the PRS though, is because it's heavy. I too had a rifle that was very front heavy, and didn't swing well. Adding the PRS balanced the rifle, and made it swing much better.

Either the A2 for me or a MOE Rifle with butt pad (pic was while the butt pad was en-route).  But then again my proper shotgun LOP is about 16 1/2"



I don't shoot rifle squared to the target more old-school.  If you shoot using some of the more modern squared-up styles, you will want a shorter stock.  The way I shoot, most collapsable stocks will have me resting my cheek on the buffer tube directly, which I don't care for.  Hence the fixed rifle.

If you want a fixed stock with a shorter LOP, check out the MOE fixed carbine.  My wife has one on her rifle.  It's way too short for me, but still a good-feeling stock.