Hi everyone as I near the last of my parts buying I have a couple of questions on stocks for my 629 and 723-733 builds. I have been looking at all the CAR-15 style stocks I can find. I have looked at the modern made plastic ones to the reproduction aluminum ones made by both Essential Arms and Tony's. My questions are as follows.

Tony's aluminum stock complete with buffer tube is $99.99 bucks. How close to original is this stock?

Essential Arms I have not called to see what the price is but I am betting that it is a tad more than Tony's. How does the two compare against each other?

I have looked at MA Parts and Tony's plastic CAR-15 stocks. They both are in the same ball park of pricing. I think for a complete stock set Tony's might be $10 bucks cheaper. Out of the two, what one would you go with and why? How close are they to looking original? Are they both MIL SPEC?

If anyone has other sources of these stock please let me know. I am on the fence of ordering an aluminum stock. I would like to be as correct as I can be but my funds are starting to become a bit more rare for these projects. Thanks everyone for the help you have given me over the past few months and for all the knowledge you have given me.

Where did you find Troy's aluminum stock for sale?
I've searched their website, but didn't see a listing for it.

When I googled Car15 stock it came up with Troy and I clicked the link. Let me see if I can find it again.

http://www.tonyscustomsllc.com/product/c-a-r-stock-aluminum/

Sorry I see I typed Troy and not Tony's. I meant Tony's.

MA Parts' fiberite stock (complete kit with spring and buffer $60), is indistinguishable from a Colt "N" marked Fiberite stock. It is milspec diameter.  The material feels like the same polymer that Colt uses.  I put one on my KISS Carbine (zombie slayer)

Nice rifle! The stock also looks really nice. I was wondering if it is the same brand as what Tony's is selling. I have been told MA parts all the way but after seeing Tony's I was wondering if anyone had any experience with them too. Do you know if the MA buffer tube is Mil Spec?

Every time you post a picture of that rifle, it makes me want to build a feature-less.

Yes, it is true mil-spec diameter.  I replaced the buffer, though, with a BCM 3.8 oz H Buffer.

Thanks for that info! I see the term "Mil Spec" tossed around and then I learn some are not Mil Spec at all.

I wouldn't say the MA Parts stock is indistinguishable from a Colt N1, but it is very close and that might be close enough for many/most people. I have both and to me they are equally acceptable on my two clone builds, but I don't need 100 percent historical accuracy. YMMV.

My builds wont be 100% correct but close enough. I am using A2 lower receivers. If I could get or afford to replace them right now with Nodak I would but it is what it is. That is also good to know that they are close and seems like more people have used them than not. Good enough for me.

 
I have the plastic one that is an exact copy. Only difference is, that it isn't glossy and it's main of plastic.


 

I could paint it with a gloss black, but I dunno. I don't like shiny shit on a rifle.

While I did not use calipers, a Magpul milspec diameter stock fit perfectly.....

To answer the aluminum stock question, both are high quality. Tony's is matte/rough finish, EA stock is powder coated semi gloss smooth black, not as shiny as a Colts but closer to original than Tony's. Last time I called EA, the stock body complete was $99, but they strongly suggested that I also get their tube to guarantee a proper fit, I think the tube, nut, plate, spring and guide were $50 more.
As far as the fiberlite style, MA Parts is a dead ringer in appearance to the N1, but is not as high quality or as robust as a real N1 Fiberlite. The latch spring is weaker and the body is lighter weight than an N1. But they are probably the best of the repro CAR stocks, I have a couple on carbines.

Thank you! That is great info and gives me some things to think about. I wouldn't mind having one of the EA stocks on my 629 clone.

I have an EA and it is almost identical to the real ones.  Also already powder coated.  If you just want the stock w/o the tube, etc. just tell them.  They'll sell JUST the stock to you.  Mine was $110 IIRC?

Thanks! EA is great to deal with. When I built my first AR I used one of their lowers. I wish I had bought a few of their lowers back then.