Collapsible stock too short?

[biophase]

I wonder if I’m holding my AR15s wrong. I have a DDM4 and a DPMS Sportical and I feel like the stocks are too short. The DDM4 stock expands to 10.5" and the Sportical to 11". I feel like I need another 1". I am 5’11" with long arms. Are the aftermarket stocks longer or am I just holding it wrong somehow. I look at photos of other people will AR15s and it looks like their arms are just squished. What angle should the upper arm and lower arm be will respect to each other? 45 degrees? 30 degrees?

Thanks!

[ForTehNguyen]

quick way to check for correct stock length with your body type is to hold the pistol grip, palm up, elbow bent 90 degrees, adjust stock so the end of it gets near where your forearm and elbow meet. That’s a good place to start. Some big people make the stock short because they put their eyes real close to the sights. Lot of other factors

[ST911]

@ForTehNguyen

quick way to check for correct stock length with your body type is to hold the pistol grip, palm up, elbow bent 90 degrees, adjust stock so the end of it gets near where your forearm and elbow meet. That’s a good place to start. Some big people make the stock short because they put their eyes real close to the sights. Lot of other factors

This method will result in people with stocks much too long for them, especially for the type of shooting (fighting) the AR is intended to do.

If I used that technique, I’d have a stock on my AR ~3" longer than the A2.

Biophase- Have you had formal instruction (outside BMT)?

[biophase]

@Skintop911

Biophase- Have you had formal instruction (outside BMT)?

No formal instruction. I should probably go ask the people in the store that I bought it from and try out some of the other ARs.

[theJanitor]

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=17556&highlight=stance

you need to tweak this to fit your body type/mechanics. i generally hold my rifle much more in the center of my torso, inward from the pocket of my shoulder. i end up with nearly the same head, torso position when i transition to pistol.

you will probably find that your stock will now be easily adjustable for yourself

[j3hill]

If you are not wearing body armor why do you even want a collapsible stock? other than they look cool of course. You can’t bash anything with them, face, door, ect.

[catatonic]

@j3hill

If you are not wearing body armor why do you even want a collapsible stock? other than they look cool of course. You can’t bash anything with them, face, door, ect.

Uh, because everyone doesn’t have the same body type…
Collapsible stocks aren’t about the “cool guy” factor, they are very much functional and have a great use in the tactical carbine field.
I haven’t used a stock to “bash” anything since basic training.

[j3hill]

I know some people have shorter arms or whatever. But you can get A2 stocks and other shorter versions of the original A1 / SP1 stocks without going the T4/T6 route

[catatonic]

@j3hill

I know some people have shorter arms or whatever. But you can get A2 stocks and other shorter versions of the original A1 / SP1 stocks without going the T4/T6 route

Its personal preference I guess…
On my issued M4 and personal AR I run 1-2 clicks out, with or without body armor depending. I’m not a small guy either (6’ 3"), it all boils down to what works for you.

[William_B]

I must’ve butt-stroked a MILLION doors open in my time! :rolleyes:

[JBecker_72]

Im 6’1" and I would run 1 click out w/ armor and 2 clicks out w/o armor.
Nose approx 1mm from CH.

[Boomer10]

@j3hill

If you are not wearing body armor why do you even want a collapsible stock? other than they look cool of course. You can’t bash anything with them, face, door, ect.

How about being able to hand your rifle to someone else who has a different body type?? When I first got my girlfriend into shooting the A2 stock was too long for her. Once I moved to PA I installed a collapsible stock and her shooting improved greatly. We knew what position to put it in for her and for me.

Also, I like being able to adjust the stock for different shooting positions.

Just because something isn’t for you doesn’t mean you have to crap on it because it fits someone else.

[ST911]

@j3hill

If you are not wearing body armor why do you even want a collapsible stock? other than they look cool of course. You can’t bash anything with them, face, door, ect.

That’s a fairly narrow view.

Perhaps the 4-6 positions offer a point of LOP adjustment that others don’t. Perhaps wardrobes change with the season. Perhaps more than one household member uses the gun. Perhaps cabinet or case space is at a premium. There are lots of reasons.

And yes, you can indeed “bash” things with them.

[Tangotag]

I am one of those 6’ guys with lots of scar tissue on my knuckles from all the draging.
I generally use the shortest 3 positions on a 6 position extension. I also seem to be faster transitioning between targets with the shorter stock positions.
But, when prone with powered optics I tend to use the longer end of the 6positions.

[Dunderway]

@j3hill

I know some people have shorter arms or whatever. But you can get A2 stocks and other shorter versions of the original A1 / SP1 stocks without going the T4/T6 route

I have nothing against fixed stocks, but one might have to purchase 2 - 3+ before they find one that fits them correctly. With a collapsable (adjustable) you can get it done with a singe purchase.

Also, once I started shooting in a proper, squared up stance I found that most fixed stocks were a no-go for me.

[jtb0311]

@j3hill

If you are not wearing body armor why do you even want a collapsible stock? other than they look cool of course. You can’t bash anything with them, face, door, ect.

They’re handy if you have to ride in cars, APCs, IFVs, Helicopters, etc.

[sdacbob]

The Vltor E-Mod is longer and gives you a good cheek weld as well.

[RyanB]

I have long arms. My walnut stocks for Fudd stuff are 14". I use my stocks in the same postition as Pat Rogers, and he’s five inches shorter than me. One click out with a CTR on a Colt tube.

[justin_247]

@j3hill

If you are not wearing body armor why do you even want a collapsible stock? other than they look cool of course. You can’t bash anything with them, face, door, ect.

… this from a guy who has a collapsible stock on his AK and AR.

[rob_s]

@biophase

I wonder if I’m holding my AR15s wrong. I have a DDM4 and a DPMS Sportical and I feel like the stocks are too short. The DDM4 stock expands to 10.5" and the Sportical to 11". I feel like I need another 1". I am 5’11" with long arms. Are the aftermarket stocks longer or am I just holding it wrong somehow. I look at photos of other people will AR15s and it looks like their arms are just squished. What angle should the upper arm and lower arm be will respect to each other? 45 degrees? 30 degrees?

Thanks!

What kind of shooting are you doing with your AR? shooting from a bench, casual plinking, mostly standing or seated or prone? Supported by outside objects (a bench, a rest, the ground) or not? Always shooting a single stationary target from a stationary position? Competition? If so what kind? What kind of sights/optics on the gun?