Quoted: www.sparrowhawkm14.com/ sparrowhawkm14.bizland.com/m14ca4bushpic.jpg Interesting.

Whoever added the (apparently) collapsible stock to that rifle forgot that the buttstock is sometimes used as an impact weapon, and sometimes subject to being slammed against the ground to clear a jam.  No room for cleaning kit, either.
If one must be able to shorten the rifle, then at least employ a sturdier folding buttstock.

Pass.

Quoted: Nice. I'd like to see an M14 gas cylinder with a sight base (like the M1). Then you could shorten the scout barrel, thread the the end and add a short flash suppressor.

Maybe so, but one of the reasons for the M1A's superior accuracy versus the M1 is due to the fact that it's front sight is not attached to the gas cylinder, which must be somewhat loose in fit to allow disassembly in the field.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: www.sparrowhawkm14.com/ sparrowhawkm14.bizland.com/m14ca4bushpic.jpg Interesting. Whoever added the (apparently) collapsible stock to that rifle forgot that the buttstock is sometimes used as an impact weapon, and sometimes subject to being slammed against the ground to clear a jam.  No room for cleaning kit, either. If one must be able to shorten the rifle, then at least employ a sturdier folding buttstock. Pass. Its an M4 stock.  And some of us dont subscribe to the old school it has to be fixed or a sturdy steal folder so you can buttstroke people and break down doors with your guns.

Maybe you want a rifle that whose butt stock is liable to break under heavy use.  I don't.  Aside from "buttstroke people and break   down doors" (never said that), slamming the buttstock on the ground, which I did mention is a legitimate method of clearing some jams.  I suggest you don't try that too many times with any AR collapsible stock.

Some of us want a gun that physically interacts well with body armor by shortening up the LOP.

That's cool.  A better way, using the example of the AR, is to affix an A1 buttstock, and to use a detachable butt pad for those times when not using body armor.  You'll have some adjustment, a slightly sturdier buttstock that won't rattle, and be able to store your GI cleaning kit.
Same principle holds for most other rifles.
The slip-on pad from E&L Manufacturing comes to mind:www.brasscatchers.com/recoil.htm

LB-gear is for storage,

Actually, the military of this country, and many others agrees that commonly used cleaning supplies and tools belong with the rifle, where they are always readily available, and not subject to being lost or buried in one's pack.  Been that way since 1903, IIRC.
Not to mention the fact that you are adding some recoil-dampening mass to the rear of the rifle, which also tends to shift the center of gravity of the rifle, making the weapon a bit "livlier" in the hands.

and beating people and objects with your gun is a last resort.  Right up there with bayonet drill.

That's right.  And in the last resort, I want the thing to hold up, and not fail.

Quoted: Cleaning Gear... Since the M-4 sliding stock used is made of a big hollow tube (and in this situation is not filled up with a spring & buffer) it is very possible that even more cleaning gear, or whatever, could go in this unit than the original stock.

Maybe.  Until it breaks off, and then where are you?

Since I don't go into battle with my battle rifle clearing stoppages isn't a matter of life or death.

Clearing stoppages during battle IS a matter of life-or-death.
What exactly do you do with your battle rifle? If not training for battle, then why own it?  And if not training for all possible contingincies, then why bother?
You, sir, are misguided as to what ownership of a battle rifle entails.

Of course, I have never had a big problem with malfunctions anyway, maybe I'm not hard enough on my gear?

Maybe not.  Nevertheless, you should train for such things.  Your good luck may not last...

I think it's a pretty neat idea. I should also like to see a modification like the Cavalry Arms unit for the 870 too.

You obviously haven't met Pvt. Murphy, as is "Murphy's Law".

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Cleaning Gear... Since the M-4 sliding stock used is made of a big hollow tube (and in this situation is not filled up with a spring & buffer) it is very possible that even more cleaning gear, or whatever, could go in this unit than the original stock. Maybe.  Until it breaks off, and then where are you? Since I don't go into battle with my battle rifle clearing stoppages isn't a matter of life or death. Clearing stoppages during battle IS a matter of life-or-death. What exactly do you do with your battle rifle? If not training for battle, then why own it?  And if not training for all possible contingincies, then why bother? You, sir, are misguided as to what ownership of a battle rifle entails. Of course, I have never had a big problem with malfunctions anyway, maybe I'm not hard enough on my gear? Maybe not.  Nevertheless, you should train for such things.  Your good luck may not last... I think it's a pretty neat idea. I should also like to see a modification like the Cavalry Arms unit for the 870 too. You obviously haven't met Pvt. Murphy, as is "Murphy's Law". A little harsh, aren't you, Raf?

Maybe.  It's only an opinion on the internet.

I don't use my "battle rifle" for battle. I use it to shoot at targets (Lord, forgive me!) as not all of us are preparing for SHTF scenarios.

I can think of any number of types of rifles better suited to paper-punching.
Leaving that aside, training to shoot in "SHTF" scenarios (your phrase, not mine) can only help raise one's overall level of competence.

But besides all that the Sparrowhawk stock has a great "coolness" factor!

I've nothing against a "coolness factor" (whatever that is), per se, but certainly "coolness" ought to never negatively affect reliability.

Actually, a friend and co-worker dropped his unloaded AR carbine down a flight of carpeted stairs, breaking the collapsible buttstock.
It does happen.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I don't use my "battle rifle" for battle. I use it to shoot at targets (Lord, forgive me!) as not all of us are preparing for SHTF scenarios. I can think of any number of types of rifles better suited to paper-punching. Leaving that aside, training to shoot in "SHTF" scenarios (your phrase, not mine) can only help raise one's overall level of competence. But besides all that the Sparrowhawk stock has a great "coolness" factor! I've nothing against a "coolness factor" (whatever that is), per se, but certainly "coolness" ought to never negatively affect reliability. Excuse my bluntness but there may be "better" rifles suited to "paper punching" but since I OWN the M1A that is in my possession, I know you won't mind if I use it any way I want. As for the "coolness" factor, it is cool and that's part of selling many things pertaining to rifles, battle or otherwise.

A little harsh, aren't you, Bill?