I have recently been made aware of a new company making and selling SOPMOD stocks. Many of my rifles have the LMT stock, I also sell them where I work. But with a $200 MSRP, we don't sell nearly as many as other similar quality, more affordable stocks, like options available from Magpul and Vltor. The LMT Sopmod is a popular stock that people like, but fewer people have been willing to dish out the extra $100-$125 the LMT sells for. The higher price has also caused a lot of people who like the design, but find it tough to pay that much more, to look for the stock on places like Ebay. This has, in turn, caused several people I know to get burned by buying a fake, for what they thought was a good deal. What interested me most about the new B5 is that it is supposed to retail at $120. At this price point, I believe many more people will include the Sopmod stock in their potential choices, and hopefully prevent people from getting burned by clones on sites like Ebay.

When I started to look into the new stock, I read about several people who had a lot of problems with the stock fitting on milspec receiver extensions. Because of this I was hesitant to just call up and order stocks to use and sell. I emailed the company selling the new B5 stock, told them about my concerns, explained how I was a user and retailer of these products, and how I hoped to get a sample that I would purchase if we liked, or return if we didn't. I wanted to look at and use before committing to being a dealer.

The next day, I received a call from a company rep who was responsive to my questions and concerns, and willing to send a sample. He explained to me how the manufacturer sent a shipment of hundreds of stocks to the military based on the specs they were provided. According to the rep, the spec they were provided was incorrect, and this is why there are reports of their stocks not fitting on milspec tubes. These samples were supposed to have been destroyed, but instead, hundreds of these samples leaked out and made their way onto peoples rifles.

The day after that, I received my sample stock. It looked just like the SOPMOD stock I am used to and have been using for years. The material it is made with looks and feels different on both the stock and the stock pad. The stock has a slightly rougher texture to it. It isn't rough to the feel, but you can see and feel the difference. The pad is slightly more glossy than the LMT. In the letter that came with my sample I was told the difference is supposed to make the stock 2 to 3 times stronger. I have no idea if this is true, or in reality, what it means in practical terms. I have never heard of LMT stocks being too weak or breaking in any way. I've never seen a broken one, it isn't that I doubt they have broken, just that I doubt the strength of the LMT stock has ever been in question.

To my non-technical eye, all the dimensions of the stock look identical. I disassembled both completely to look for differences and didn't find any. The only exception to this are the QD sling points on the rear of the stock. Older LMT stocks didn't have these at all, but about a year ago, LMT stocks started coming with them. When compared to the newer LMT stock, the QD sockets on the B5 stock were wider and extended out of the stock, whereas the LMT sockets fit more flush to the stock. I will take a picture of this soon to illustrate.

The last difference I noticed was the adjustment latch on the B5 sample I have is looser than all of the LMT stocks that I have. It's important for me to clarify that while it is certainly looser, it is not really a concern, at least not to me. I have seen some loose latches on cheap stocks. The B5 is not like that. But, the latch on my sample was not as snug as those on the LMT's.

The B5 is also available in more colors, including FDE. Their website shows them available in Black and Coyote (the same two colors the LMT stock comes in) as well as FDE, Olive Drab, Foliage and MultiCam. (edited to say, currently the web site only lists the stock in black) The letter I received says they are available in Black, Coyote and FDE and that a the manufacturer has the ability to produce them in a variety of camouflage patters. Finally, the letter also mentioned that "There may be additional minor changes to the stock and these changes will be directed by Crane and will be incorporated into the commercial product once the product is delivered and accepted by the US Military."

Finally, when speaking to the company rep, he made mention of a well known AR company who had a sample of their stock and was looking to purchase. I happened to be friendly with the manager of the company he mentioned, and called them to ask about their impressions. We spoke briefly about them and I was happy to know that they also noticed all the small differences I did, and had no real concerns about what they saw.

I've been shooting the stock on a 10.5" LWRC M6A2, the only reason I chose this specific gun was because it is my oldest and most used rifle that also has typically had an LMT SOPMOD stock. I'm used to that gun with that stock and felt like if there would have been any real differences, I would notice it on that gun.

This is the B5 stock on that gun at the range about a week ago.


LMT above, B5 below


LMT left, B5 right. This shows the slightly more texturized surface of the B5, as well as the slightly glossier stock pad


B5 left, LMT right. Another showing the different texture and slightly more glossy stock pad of the B5.


B5 left, LMT right. Shows the different color O-ring seals on storage tube. I don't know if it's anything more than just a different color?


B5 left, LMT right. Showing the harder leading edge on the B5 adjustment latch.


LMT top, B5 bottom. This one shows the harder edge on the rear of the B5 adjustment latch. Also the differences in the QD swivel insert. You can't really tell on any of the photos, but the B5 sticks up higher than the LMT.

Any difference in what it is made of, or the finish?

Sort of. I presume it's the same material, however, the letter I received said it contained more resin and glass.

That's strange. There's probably thousands (likely tens of thousands) of LMT stocks out there. I remember buying one when they first became available and have probably seen hundreds of them since then myself. Every one has always had the LMT logo on the latch.

The metal plunger should not need to be shaved. That piece is adjustable, though it should have been properly adjusted from the factory. That piece is threaded at the bottom and there's a circular nut held in place by a roll pin. If you shaved yours it simply means the circular nut at the bottom of the latch wasn't tightened enough. If it doesn't lock in to the receiver extension enough, the nit was screwed on too much.

I don't presume you have any photos do you? I'm doubtful it was an LMT.

I would imagine that the mark up on their commercial stocks is, in part, what allows them to sell them so cheaply to the Gov. In addition, a single customer purchasing 25,000 affords said customer a lot of buying power.

I'm not saying I wouldn't love for these, or any quality stock, become available for that price. Just that it's probably pretty unlikely that could ever happen.

I'm very familiar with these. And all I can really say is, I'm glad you like yours. But, I'd venture to guess CAA hasn't sold a fraction of their add on as any of the companies who make some of the more popular stocks.

I'll make do with whatever stock is on a rifle and shoot the gun as best I can. But I really don't want to take a piece, which has the tendency to loosen up, and put it on top of an already, typically loose fitting stock. I'm not paying anything for the chance to do that.

Rally Point Tactical has been my contact for everything. As I post this link I see the page has changed and only lists black now. Also, the price is set at $120. I'll edit the original post to reflect this.

Martin took pics today, I'm hoping to be able to share them tomorrow. Nothing spectacular, just clear pictures which should illustrate the differences pointed out in the initial post.

Put the pics up this morning. Thanks Martin.

Sadly, I have no idea. I can tell you that I would be surprised if I heard the B5 was weaker in any way. I'm not am engineer or materials guy. But, I've handled a lot of stocks. Stocks of good quality, stocks of very good quality, as well as poor quality stocks. Unscientific as it is, my subjective judgement would be that the B5 is a very good quality stock.

It doesn't get too frigid here in FL, but I compete about once a month and try to practice as least as much. Sometimes more. I'll be shooting the stock more this winter, and while I have no plans to abuse it, I do plan to bump it around and subject it to reasonable wear and tear, drops and heavy use.

If they ever get any, I may try one. Its winter here in Colorado, and yes, it does get cold here. When a rifle spends its life in the trunk of a car, temperature matters.

Lots of guessing going on. I find it unlikely anyone here knows what KAC charges LMT and if that price is a factor or not. Chances are, people will know at SHOT in January if LMT will have a different price on their stocks. I would hope so, or I too find it unlikely they will be selling very many. I'll be seeing LMT at SHOT, but I also have plans to see RPT (B5).

Meh... Can't even see the stock, but I changed sold my older M3 Aimpoint for a new Micro and zero'd the gun with the B5 stock the other night. Nothing to report, but I guess no news is good news with new products.

btt
 

I'm surprised to hear this... If we are talking about the same stock. So far as I can tell, the rubber plate fastens to the stock precisely the same way, so unless something was breaking, I'm not sure how it would fall off? Also, the latch is not as tight as the LMT, but it's a far, far, FAR stretch to say it isn't tight enough. The one stock I have fits on every mil spec tube I've tried it on. From LMT to BCM, to Stag to Daniel Defense and Vltor.

In addition, it appears as if Noveske has started shipping B5s on at least some of their rifles.

I'm not saying the above reports are bogus, I don't know. I can only say what I have seen judging by the twenty or so stocks I have handled, all of them (minus one) on guns shipped from Noveske, plus my one stock as seen on page one. It is still as it was the day I got it. Based on my admittedly limited experience with this relatively small number of stocks, I'm surprised to hear that.

I'll move mine to another gun that I have been shooting most these days to put more rounds on it. I can't imagine anything will change, it's a good stock no matter how I look at it. But, I realize the B5 does not have the track record or sheer number of trouble free stocks being used like LMT. So still, time will tell.

does anyone know, does the tan/fde or whatever color, is it close to the color of the real sopmod?
 

Thanks





 

Of course, I've mentioned a few times how I have mounted the stock on several receiver extensions and how it fits fine on everything I have tried. I have also mentioned how the latch is looser than the LMT, but not so loose I would even describe it as being loose.