Quality A2 stocks?

pacifico · #1 03-25-09, 01:33

Hello forum. I'm new to AR-15s, though not new to rifles, and have a question. A search didn't come up with much.

I suspect that all A2 rifle stocks are not created equal. Has anyone looked into the quality of said stocks as offered by various resellers? Where are they made, and are there any markings that differentiate the better stocks from lesser specimens? I've always been a big believer in the phrase "buy the best and cry once" and would prefer to stick to quality components where possible.

Thanks in advance.

bkb0000 · #2 03-25-09, 02:07

i think you're over thinking this one a little- i've had a couple bushmaster A2s that were perfectly good, and i'm guessing they probably come from the same toy factory that makes Colt's, LMT's, Sabres, etc.. so long as you're not just picking some unknown POS up as a gunshow i'm sure you'll get a quality unit.

gaijinsamurai · #3 03-25-09, 04:00

I'm happy with my Rock River A2 stock.

scottryan · #4 03-25-09, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaijinsamurai

I'm happy with my Rock River A2 stock.

RRA A2 stocks do not use a metal door.

And it probably also uses a plastic stock spacer.

carbinero · #5 03-25-09, 12:56

My Colt A2 assembly from SAW, with forged receiver extension, included a plastic spacer (total $140). The spacer from Daniel Defense when adding their Burnsed receiver endplate sling mount is also of a plastic nature, like delrin/nylon. Is metal really superior?

The spacer in my A2 assembly from PK is metal (total $75). The buttstocks, springs and buffers look identical (although of course that doesn't imply one isn't superior). I forgot to look at the screws. The Colt/SAW came in a mil spec markings bag. The big difference to me, which is reflected in the price, is the RE. The PK has the ring around the base which, I've read in another m4carbine thread, is indicative of the end being welded on.

There's another option, which is the non-forged RE from SAW, which may be mil spec. It's a bit cheaper, but still more $$ than "commercial grade." I don't know if it's welded on or not.

scottryan · #6 03-25-09, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbinero

My Colt A2 assembly from SAW, with forged receiver extension, included a plastic spacer (total $140). The spacer from Daniel Defense when adding their Burnsed receiver endplate sling mount is also of a plastic nature, like delrin/nylon. Is metal really superior?

The spacer in my A2 assembly from PK is metal (total $75). The buttstocks, springs and buffers look identical (although of course that doesn't imply one isn't superior). I forgot to look at the screws. The Colt/SAW came in a mil spec markings bag. The big difference to me, which is reflected in the price, is the RE. The PK has the ring around the base which, I've read in another m4carbine thread, is indicative of the end being welded on.

There's another option, which is the non-forged RE from SAW, which may be mil spec. It's a bit cheaper, but still more $$ than "commercial grade." I don't know if it's welded on or not.

The metal stock spacer is USGI. The plastic one is not.

Will this matter in the real world? That is for the user to decide.

carbinero · #7 03-25-09, 14:22

1. Interesting that USGI is metal, considering the vendor info above. Then again it's possible the "plastic" is superior...hopefully my future experiences will never prove it either way. I do think this is one of those situations dealing in minutia as far as real world use/application, IMHO.

2. Some of the stress on the RE will be relieved by positioning the rear sling mount at the RE instead of at the end of the buttstock. The Blue Force sling adapter for the end location, by moving the sling to the top of the stock is another option, both of which I think is superior to the installed mount. Which location do you think is best for the 2nd sling point on an A2?

3. As a pure economic exercise, the DD RE endplate mount is about $35, the BFG A2 sling adapter is about $15, and the forged RE upgrade is about the cost of both combined (I don't recall exactly).

4. For the OP, stocks may be nearly equal, but RE's (commonly known as "buffer tubes") are not. I'd recommend getting a forged RE, regardless of how/where you decide to mount the sling. You can probably piece together the other parts from DPMS or whomever and save a few bucks. If you do that, be sure to price compare on at least the spring, since the Colt is only $7. However if you buy a complete A2 assembly anywhere, and then buy the forged RE separately, you'll likely spend about the same as getting the complete Colt assembly from SAW.

scottryan · #8 03-25-09, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbinero

1. Interesting that USGI is metal, considering the vendor info above. Then again it's possible the "plastic" is superior...hopefully my future experiences will never prove it either way. I do think this is one of those situations dealing in minutia as far as real world use/application, IMHO.

The last A2 stock I ordered from SAW also came with a plastic spacer. This was two months ago.

I replaced it with a metal one thinking it was an oversight and I wasn't going to complain and ship back a $5 item on a $150 order.

However, the A2 stocks I have ordered from them in the past have all came with metal spacers when I have selected the USGI option and not the Match Target option on their website.

C4IGrant · #9 03-25-09, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacifico

Hello forum. I'm new to AR-15s, though not new to rifles, and have a question. A search didn't come up with much.

I suspect that all A2 rifle stocks are not created equal. Has anyone looked into the quality of said stocks as offered by various resellers? Where are they made, and are there any markings that differentiate the better stocks from lesser specimens? I've always been a big believer in the phrase "buy the best and cry once" and would prefer to stick to quality components where possible.

Thanks in advance.

I have a bunch of LMT A2's I don't want if interested.

C4

pacifico · #10 03-25-09, 15:38

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Grant, you'll have an email shortly.

SeriousStudent · #11 03-25-09, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by C4IGrant

I have a bunch of LMT A2's I don't want if interested.

C4

Email inbound for a pair.

SoDak · #12 03-25-09, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by C4IGrant

I have a bunch of LMT A2's I don't want if interested.

C4

How much?

WesleyCE · #13 03-25-09, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by C4IGrant

I have a bunch of LMT A2's I don't want if interested.

C4

PM sent.

Mega · #14 03-25-09, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaijinsamurai

I'm happy with my Rock River A2 stock.

Same here.

exkc135driver · #15 03-25-09, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by C4IGrant

I have a bunch of LMT A2's I don't want if interested.

C4

'Nother PM sent.

(Curious thing here ... all Grant has to do is say that he has something in stock and suddenly he gets all these PMs requesting a price ... )

USMC88-93 · #16 03-31-09, 02:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by C4IGrant

I have a bunch of LMT A2's I don't want if interested.

C4

LMT has A2 lowers? I have never seen any.

C4IGrant · #17 03-31-09, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMC88-93

LMT has A2 lowers? I have never seen any.

Yes.

C4

Fluke · #18 03-31-09, 20:38

Does anyone make an "A2 type" stock that doesn't use the spacer to make it A1 length? I like how the A2 stock is beefier than the A1 stocks but have always desired the A2 improvements in an A1 length. I have tried one of those Cavalry Arms A1 length stocks and it was rather flimsy, especially the buttplate assembly.

chadbag · #19 03-31-09, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluke

Does anyone make an "A2 type" stock that doesn't use the spacer to make it A1 length? I like how the A2 stock is beefier than the A1 stocks but have always desired the A2 improvements in an A1 length. I have tried one of those Cavalry Arms A1 length stocks and it was rather flimsy, especially the buttplate assembly.

You can sometimes find used A1 stocks that have the A2 buttplate installed. I bought one ages ago from Fulton Armory for example

Chad

carbinero · #20 04-01-09, 13:34

What about the proper length screw if you use an endplate sling mount with an A1 stock? Sheesh, collapsible's looking better and better.