Love the SOPMOD. Does the Magpul ACS or Vltor IMod compare?

DHart · #1 10-09-10, 21:39

I had a chance to check out the LMT SOPMOD in person and I really loved the feel of the cheekweld that this stock provides. Not so crazy about the price, though ($200+).

I haven't had a chance to check out similar stocks, however, in person. I'm referring to the Magpul ACS, Vltor IMOD, or Vltor EMOD. In photos, they appear to have a similar slope and size in the cheekweld area, but it's tough to determine from a few pictures.

Can anyone tell me how the feel of the cheekweld on the Magpul ACS, Vltor IMOD, or Vltor EMOD compares to the SOPMOD?

Do you feel I could get similar feel and utility (along with money saved) with the ACS, EMOD, or IMOD?

Which of these would you recommend?

JSGlock34 · #2 10-09-10, 21:48

I've owned the LMT SOPMOD, Magpul ACS and VLTOR IMOD - and I've shot a friend's Noveske with the EMOD. Of them all, I consider the IMOD the best overall value. It is the lightest of these stocks, has a nice rubber buttpad and two integrated QD points (you have to pay extra for the QD points on the ACS). Personally I don't care for the heavier EMOD, and I don't use the extra battery compartment found on the EMOD and ACS (I like my rifles light so I don't lug around my spare batteries on the rifle anyway - I prefer these stocks for the superior cheekweld the sloped design provides).

The SOPMOD is terrific, but at nearly half the price it is hard to beat the IMOD. My two cents.

DHart · #3 10-09-10, 22:03

JSGlock34... good to hear that about the IMOD from someone who has used them all. Your point about the weight savings offered by the IMOD is significant, and as a stock on a home defense rifle, I don't have a need to carry around extra batteries, especially on two sides of the stock, so having no slope/no battery compartment on the right side of the IMOD is fine for me, in my application. Rubber buttpad and two QD points at no extra cost is really excellent as well. Thanks for pointing that out!

I'm with you on choosing these stocks essentially for the cheekweld feel. I don't really need to carry stuff in them. (Though that could certainly come in handy in some situations.) The wonderful cheekweld is what I noticed immediately, the moment I put the SOPMOD to my shoulder, so if the cheekweld feel on the IMOD is somewhat comparable, I think I would probably be very happy with that as the stock on my first rifle. Plus, save some weight, save some money! Sweet.

JSGlock34 · #4 10-09-10, 22:10

Just to clarify, the added battery compartment I'm referring to on the ACS and EMOD is actually a small swinging door. All four of the stocks (ACS, IMOD, EMOD and SOPMOD) have the sloping cheekweld battery compartments on both sides of the rifle. Also, all four do come with a rubber buttpad (I realize now I didn't write this very clearly), though I think the one on the IMOD is superior to the thin one on the ACS. The ACS does not come with the QD points though - you have to pay extra for those.

Really, you can't go wrong with any of these choices, but I think VLTOR hit a home run with the IMOD.

DHart · #5 10-09-10, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSGlock34

Really, you can't go wrong with any of these choices, but I think VLTOR hit a home run with the IMOD.

I sure sounds like they did! Thanks very much for your input. I've been stewing on this stock decision for many days now and you've really helped me come to a decision point.

JSGlock34 · #6 10-09-10, 22:21

DHart - glad I could help. There was some discussion about the IMOD and ACS in this thread - I'm by no means the only one with an opinion but I think you'll find the IMOD is well regarded. Really, these are all quality choices.

Good luck!

Biggy · #7 10-09-10, 22:53

I also have owned both but now just use the imod along with the VLTOR A5 re kit. Yes, the imod is a little bit lighter than the SOPMOD and the angled toe of the rubber buttpad is a little more comfortable, to me. The imod is the same length as the Magpul CTR stock but a little shorter than the SOPMOD. Pulled facial hair using any of the VLTOR stocks has never been a problem for me. I also see where LAV chose the IMOD stock to be on his Daniel Defense rifle.

Magic_Salad0892 · #8 10-09-10, 23:11

I love my SOPMOD, the ACS seems really flimsy to me, but I haven't used the VLTOR products.

nickdrak · #9 10-10-10, 00:01

The MagPul ACS is a very solid stock. It locks-up tight on the tube. I like the length of the ACS with the extended buttpad installed compared to the imod.

The ACS is also less likely then the SOPMOD to be accidentally released when shooting from the prone position if you reach back and support the rear of the stock with your support hand due to the design of the locking mechanism.

The weight of the ACS is comparable to the Vltor emod.

The ACS is currently my favorite collapsible stock design.

Grumpy MSG · #10 10-10-10, 00:10

I agree that the SOPMOD is a nice stock. The Vltor's are very nice too, the only complaint I have heard concerning them is that they will pinch whiskers if you have a beard with a little bit of length.

Magic_Salad0892 · #11 10-10-10, 00:15

The ACS I shot, was constantly rattling around, and seemed really loose. I could visibly move it out of position without pressing on the position release.

bkb0000 · #12 10-10-10, 00:22

i like the vltor modstock almost as much as the sopmod... therefor, i stopped buying sopmods- especially since the modstocks are now dirty cheap at $50

CCK · #13 10-10-10, 00:23

have both imod and emod.

depending on role I could recommend either.

GP to long distance rifle, I'll take emod.

SBR Imod

Chris

Hapainwa · #14 10-10-10, 00:24

I loved my SOPMOD, but didn't want to drop another $200 to outfit my fun gun. (First one was on my duty gun.) So, I went with the emod because it was about the same length, same kind of cheekweld, and a bit cheaper. While the emod balances out my 16" middy, it doesn't do so well with the SPR. I was looking to try and keep the two close together, but I'm seriously thinking about going with the imod for the SPR to drop some weight. For now, I've still got the emods on both guns.

chadbag · #15 10-10-10, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magic_Salad0892

The ACS I shot, was constantly rattling around, and seemed really loose. I could visibly move it out of position without pressing on the position release.

I would guess the one you tries was on the wrong sort of tube. A commercial ACS on a mil-spec tube. Or, the tube was out of spec. Maybe a commercial ACS on a cheap out of spec commercial tube.

TehLlama · #16 10-10-10, 01:12

I have a nearly inexplicable love of the EMOD, it just works very well with short light guns and on my SPR for me, has okay storage, and after applying a pair of BCM Gunfighter stickers doesn't attack my stubble. I even like it better than my ACS on most guns because of the clubfoot profile in back.

I'll probably end up selling both of my SOPMOD stocks since I'm just as happy buying EMODs.

SSG665 · #17 10-10-10, 01:24

I am unsure if I want to go with the ACS or the IMOD.DSG Arms has the ACS complete stock kit for $139.95..Hard to resist the ACS for that price.Cant seem to find an IMOD complete kit for that price...

nickdrak · #18 10-10-10, 03:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magic_Salad0892

The ACS I shot, was constantly rattling around, and seemed really loose. I could visibly move it out of position without pressing on the position release.

Something was the wrong size as chadbag said. Likely a milspec tube and a commercial sized ACS, or an out of spec commercial tube.

The ACS locks-up tighter than "two fat bitches in a hot-tub" when properly installed on in-spec equipment.

grzechotnik · #19 10-10-10, 03:57

- http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=61920

Check this out.

Cheers!

Magic_Salad0892 · #20 10-10-10, 04:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickdrak

Something was the wrong size as chadbag said. Likely a milspec tube and a commercial sized ACS, or an out of spec commercial tube.

The ACS locks-up tighter than "two fat bitches in a hot-tub" when properly installed on in-spec equipment.

I'm positive it was the stock, because I shot it on my KAC lower.

Which I've NEVER had a problem with using

Standard M4 stock (I own 3 BCM ones.)
CAR-15 stock (My sister owns two, one on her DD lower. Looks sweet.

)
LMT SOPMOD (Came with the gun)
Magpul CTR (Had one.)
Magpul UBR (Borrowed one.)

Those have all fit tight as gloves. No problems.

What do you think could have been wrong with the stock?

It's the only one of it's kind that I shot, so it may just be a lemon one. It didn't look abused at all, except for a small scratch.