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I have decided to build my first ever AR pistol and use a brace for it.
I have seen and do not like the blade style one (yuck), nor do I like the SB tactical or sig style ones (also yuck.
What I am really digging is the gear head works tailhook.
What are your subjective opinions on various braces, what is your favorite and why?
Can you think of any reason I should not buy a Gearhead Works Tailhook or something better that I should look at because right now that is how I am leaning, heavily.
TED
BTW, I'm also not digging the pdw style ones with the tiny rod rails.
TED
I have 2. The sb PDW and the shockwave blade. Got the pdw yesterday, so my experience is limited with it. It is more comfortable than the blade and more easily adjustable.
The blade is lighter and still adjustable, but requires tools to do so. I wouldn't call the blade comfortable, but it is also not uncomfortable. It's adiquate.
Otherwise they can both be shouldered and make a decent "stock".
I had considered the sbm4 for its looks, but ultimately passed it over for adjustability.
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I have had a SB tactical mounted on a weapon, it worked great but I didn't like the way it looked.
I know use tailhooks exclusively, I have them on a mini Uzi pistol, PTR 32 PDW which I modified the original HK sliding stock to use the tailhook and of course AR 15 pistol.
My next pistol will be getting one of the new SBA3 braces from SB Tactical as soon as they're released. It is more or less an MFT Minimalist stock that has been adapted into a pistol brace.
https://www.sb-tactical.com/wp-conte...TFLAT-web1.jpg
Adjustable, uses a standard carbine buffer tube (included), and has built in QD swivel cups. It should sell for about $160 w the tube.
I also recently jumped into the pistol/brace build thing. Like you I was not a fan of the SB SIG brace because of the look. I do have an SB brace on a B&T APC9 which I do like. It is very functional and looks just like the B&T fixed stock. Gets the job done and allows me to have a folding brace/stock while keeping the pistol classification. I do have a Gear Head Works Tailhook on hand waiting for the B&T GHM9 pistol brace. I can say it is very well made. Not sure I would like it mounted just to the buffer tube and having the tube as my cheek weld. I have yet to try it as I feel there is a better option.
Have a few SB SOBs as well which I dont dislike and they get the job done and IMO look pretty good just like their SBM4. I find all the SB's really tough to use as a brace especially with larger forearms. Got the Shockwave Blade with a KAK tube so it is adjustable for length or position. For me it works better as a brace than the SB's and I dont mind the look or how it shoulders.
My favorite by far and recommendation for you would be the Gear Head Works MOD2 Tailhook. It functions just like the original Tailhook with the side fold out support but it's plastic like most AR stocks and not aluminum like the Tailhook. The plastic is fine and not an issue at all but I wanted to point that out vs the aluminum Tailhook. Additionally, it comes with its own buffer tube and functions as a fully collapsible and multi positional brace very similar to a carbine stock. Their tube will not except a rifle stock. Really happy with how it aids in one hand shooting and should you shoulder it you will find it to be a very familiar feeling. Pretty awesome!
KAK.
Light, easy, cheap, and it works as much as I need it to.
Also fits the shoulder pocket just fine. Their brace + Tube allows a super snug and secure fit. No wobble or issues.
Shockwave with the KAK dimpled receiver extension. No wobble adjustable although with a set screw, inexpensive and lightweight You can also attach a sling to it
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Everything the above 2 posters said. I went shockwave. The only drawback is its not adjustable, but its solid both as a brace and if shouldered. The sling attachment is perfect for my use as well.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e9rm84tmhm...20PM.png?raw=1
Thoughts on the two I've owned...
Shockwave Blade
LIKE: Sling mounting, compactness.
DO NOT LIKE: Light weight, lack of "accessory carriage" capability.
SB Tactical SBM4
LIKE: Accessory capability (I use the "arm tunnel" as a spare mag carrier), weight (I like extra tailweight for balance), looks sorta like an M4 stock without actually being a stock.
DO NOT LIKE: Limited distribution of accessory pouches and mag carriers. (Carrier only accomodates 20 and 30-round mags due to length, so my 40 rides in a bare arm-tunnel.)
Used both on both cheap crappy Tacfire and good Vltor A5 tubes.
Shockwave is my favorite. Cheap, solid, adjustable.
I also have an SB47 (the original stubby one) and an SOB47. Heavier than the brace which balances a heavy barrel better. A little more comfortable with higher recoiling rounds. But the SB47 started to rotate so I had to glue it in place. The SOB appears to be doing the same. Friction fit alone isn’t enough.
Shockwave is coming out with a 2.0 adjustable that’s got a smaller rear fin, but won’t be any more comfortable. Uses a proprietary tube.
The new adjustable SB brace looks interesting in that it uses a mil spec stock tube. But someone said SB isn’t providing an ATF acceptance letter either. For that money I think I’d try the Tailhook mod2 first.
I think the new SB adjustable might appeal to someone who already has a lower with a carbine upper and stock and wants to just swap out to a short upper and brace on the same lower, assuming that lower was registered as OTHER and not a rifle. Or has a lower they want to remake as a pistol and don’t fell comfortable swapping the buffer tube.
Although for $200 I just bought a complete PSA multi-cal lower with an SOB brace so it’s just as cheap to build a complete pistol.
I have a maxim brace
I'm very concerned regarding the SB Tactical SBA3 because they say that it uses a standard carbine buffer. My fear is that ATF might try to call it constructive possession or some crap like that.
For that reason I am leaning again more towards the tailhook as it says it uses a proprietary receiver extension.
TED
I've got a Tailhook Mod 2 coming this week. I settled on that for adjustability, simplicity, and it just looks sexy.
SB PDW Looks great, but handling one I felt it was overkill with the adjuster "rods" out in front of the safety. Also the release lever to adjust brace seemed really exposed, i.e., liable to catch on something....
SBA3 looks tempting but as mentioned above, it's unclear ATF will approve.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TED
ATF is 100% ok with a pistol using a carbine extension as long as there is no stock attached.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrowCommand
Why would they take issue with a brace that attaches to a carbine extension in place of a stock?
I guess because then owning a spare stock could be construed as "constructive possession"? It really shows how foolish and draconian SBR law is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tx_Aggie
This wasn't a deal breaker for me, I just liked the GHW brace better.