I am building my first AR15 and I am looking for recommendations for a buttstock. I have thought about a 6 position stock, a full size skeleton stock, or an entry skeleton stock. This rifle will be used by myself and my 10 year old son so my main concerns are length of pull and comfort. Any input is greatly appreciated.

You might want to give the LMT sopmod stock a try. It is adjustable, is the most comfortable for me to use, and has a rubber butt pad for the young man.

I had a ACE skeleton stock that I liked alot, then it got wet and drove me crazy every time I would put cheek to it.

Get the Vltor Car stock. U and the kid can use it.

I have the VLTOR and Crane/SOPMOD. I like the VLTOR a little better. The crane has a flat back the VLTOR is undercut. Of course the standard 4 or 6 position is fine. One advantage of the stocks that hold batteries, is when you put weight in them it shifts the balance point a little to the rear making the gun a lot easier for most people to hold up. (might be usefull for the kid)

Were you in Battalion?

I would recommend the Stag Arms CAR 6 position collapsible buttstock (about $70), it's a little smaller than their M4 style tactical stock (about $90) which is a little bigger.

The Stag Arms are using Mil-Spec buffer tubes so if you want to upgrade to the Vltor Modstock or LMT SOPMOD later, just pull out the old stock and slip in the new stock, no need to remove the buffer tube they are all compatible.

Commercial buttstocks such as Bushmaster, RRA, etc. are not compatible with Mil-Spec brands like Stag Arms/ CMT, Vltor, LMT or Colt.

They are available at this site's Equipment Exchange forum or directly from the Stag Arms online store.


Stag Arms website link


If you want a fancier CAR buttstock look at Vltor Modstocks and Magpul soon to be released CTR – Compact/ Type Restricted Stock and UBR – Universal Battle Rifle Stock. More stocks info here.


Vltor Modstock website link



Magpul new CTR model


Magpul new UBR model

Having owned almost every aftermarket stock kit (Except MagPul), I suggest the Vltor carbine stock. It does everything the others do at a cheaper price.

Just get a standard 6 position stock, and get a CAA/FOBUS cheekpeice to go it, just as good as a Sopmod stock imo because of the $180 saved.....

Josh



Check out the Cheekpeice here, I have one and its Really nice for the money.

Quoted: Having owned almost every aftermarket stock kit (Except MagPul),

For what ever reason, it surprises me that you haven't tried a Magpul stock yet?

Halo_Ranger
The way I see it, you have 2-3 issues to worry about. LOP, Check weld and possibly weight. Collapsible stocks are nice for their reduced weight (typically) and adjustability but on just about all of them, obtaining a good check weld with a proper nose-to-charging handle head placement is a joke unless you can shoot with the stock in the first 2-3 positions. (which very well may be possible for your son depending on his size?). The Magpul solves that problem but at the cost of weight, cost and with the current design, looks IMO. Excluding the Magpul (which I have also never personally tried), I too have found the Vltor, with battery tube pieces installed, to be the most comfortable of the collapsibles. The new Magpul UBR looks to have some real promise. If they can bring it to market with a reasonable price tag and weight, I'm pretty sure I will try one.

All that said, I think you may be better off trying one of the fixed short stocks like the RRA Entry or ACE ARFXe. I just feel a fixed stock, assuming the LOP is good, is much easier to learn on and teach with.

Now here's a idea that may sound a little crazy and definitely not the most cost effect but how about you get what ever stock you want and then build your son his own lower? While not even close to the cheapest way to go, it's not crazy expensive either. You can build him a lower for between $200-250 depending on what stock you get him. That way you get what you want and he can get one that will work best for him. I'm sure he will be thrilled to have his own AR (sort of) and later on you guys can build or buy him his own upper. I know, not cheap but if you can swing it $ wise, I think it very well might be the best way to go.

Good luck