Fellow ARFers. Here’s a project I did on a rainy/crappy weather day.
Currently I have two Vltor stocks, one Rifle Clubfoot and a Carbine Standard. IMHO the Vltor stock is one of the best components available for the AR market. I pleased with the overall function and design of both stock buy found room for improvement.
For Example, the Carbine stock offers an excellent cheek weld and storage capabilities. One thing I don’t understand is why didn’t Vltor make a long accessory compartment for the Carbine stock? The current carbine compartment holds at least one AA and one 3-volt lithium battery per compartment. Or for those not using AA’s, two plus 3-volt lithium batteries per compartment. My believe Vltor should make a longer tube for the carbine to house at least two AA batteries or three 3-volt lithium.
So, yesterday I got creative, pulled out the tools and decided to try something different. I took the compartments off my Rifle Modstock and turned them into Ginny pigs for my carbine project. Originally, the rifle compartments have 6 inches of storage space. The Carbine Compartment has 3 ½ inches of storage space. My goal was to achieve maximum storage from a modified rifle compartment, but make it fit the Carbine Modstock.
First step was to cut the excess tube material off the rifle compartment and get it down to a workable size. The exact amount I cut off the tube was 1.5 inches. My plan was to seal one end of the compartment (the butt plate end) with a permanent cap and leave the front of the compartment open for access of accessories. I made the permanent cap out of aluminum. The caps were made on my 1960’s Craftsman Lathe, that I bought at a garage sale for $200. I machined the cap to a tight tolerance, so it would slide snuggly into the compartment’s bore. The cap has a flanged lid, turned to the same outer diameter of the tube. My final goal is to have the cap anodized (black) or Gunkote and then epoxy it into place.
Well the job was pretty simple to do, as long as you have a lathe and time. The compartment space available on the finish product is slightly more then 5 inches. The Final result allows for three plus lithium batteries and an Aimpoint battery or two AA’s with enough room for an Aimpoint battery. Total time invested two hours. Cost: Whatever Vltor charges me for replacement rifle compartments. I’ll find that out first thing Monday morning when I call them and place an order.
Also, there’s another benefit in using modified rifle compartments. The portion of the compartment that is removed has the rear mounting leg. So, with the removal of the rear mounting leg, I now have access to the rear sling port. I actually like using the quick detachable sling swivel. But I know some prefer using slings like the CQB solution sling.
LS