In the beginning, collapsible AR-15 carbine stocks were essentially nothing more than basic-shaped pieces of plastic or aluminum that covered a carbine’s receiver extension and provided the shooter with an angled surface to place their shoulder. As duty-oriented long guns started evolving from fixed-stock, M16-style rifles toward carbines with collapsible stocks, so did the design of those stocks. Now, AR-15 carbine stocks offer far more functionality than simply covering receiver extensions and providing bracing surfaces. Today’s AR-15 carbine stocks include different slots for QD (quick-detach) hardware, storage compartments, the ability to accept cheek-risers and anti-wobble locking mechanisms that clamp down more firmly against the extension itself. Much of this development has been pushed forward from lessons learned in fighting with these carbines during the GWOT (Global War On Terror).
Magpul DT-Carbine Stock: MSRP $64.95
Magpul’s influence over the modern firearms industry is undeniable. Since shortly after its founding, this company has been well-known for its different AR-15 carbine stock designs. Magpul has now launched a new crop of carbine stocks that codified what the company deemed to be essential on the fighting-carbine of the mid-2020s. Among these products is the new Magpul DT Carbine stock, an A-frame style stock that compiles the best features of Magpul’s best-selling CTR and SL series stocks. The DT Carbine stock uses Magpul’s advanced no-wobble friction lock, can accommodate a variety of rear sling swivel mounting options and has a curved toe that makes it easier to bring up to the shoulder. The bottom portion of the toe is also a little flatter to allow the stock to ride on rear bags more easily.
Reptilia RECC-E: MSRP $159.95
Though Reptilia is best-known for its optics mounts, the company was tasked with designing a lightweight, low profile general-purpose AR-15 carbine stock for one of its military clients. Afterward, Reptilia decided to bring the RECC-E to market and offer it to all customers as well. The Reptilia RECC-E stock’s design is a multi-piece setup that relies on a fixed top portion to keep the cheek weld constant. This means that the RECC-E always keeps the receiver extension covered, and the length-of-pull is adjusted from the rear, and it is the butt of the stock that shifts. Reptilia Corp sells the RECC-E as a kit which includes its own proprietary receiver extension and hardware.
B5 Systems SOPMOD: MSRP $100
Of all the products listed in this round up, the B5 Systems SOPMOD stock rates as a “classic” status. While it is the oldest item listed here, its influence over the AR-15 as a modern fighting system is undeniable. This stock originates from the Crane, IN, Naval Special Warfare Center SOPMOD carbine stock that was found on the carbines of many American Special Operations troops, including Navy SEALs. The SOPMOD’s sloped, symmetrical comb provides a very comfortable cheek-welding surface. It was also one of the first carbine stocks to include a QD socket, which the B5 version maintains.
Wilson Combat AR-15 Buttstock: MSRP $56.96
Wilson Combat’s aptly named AR-15 Buttstock is built from high-quality, fiber-reinforced polymer materials, while meeting the level of utility expected from a modern collapsing AR-15 buttstock. Like the Magpul DT Carbine stock listed above, the Wilson Combat AR-15 Buttstock also includes a curved toe that facilitates rolling the carbine onto the shoulder from the low ready. Similarly, the Wilson Combat AR-15 Buttstock includes QD sockets for rear sling mounting points. Finally, as a nod to the classics, the upper portion of the stock has the same type of pattern found on classic polymer Colt M4 Carbine stocks.
Bravo Company Mod 3: MSRP $49.95
Bravo Company USA recently launched its Mod 3 AR-15 carbine stock. The Mod 3 takes after the original Bravo Company USA Mod 0 profile but with a slimmer profile and lighter weight. Aside from offering a patented latching mechanism that securely locks the stock over the receiver extension, the Mop 3 stock accepts friction-fit stock risers to accommodate the shooter when using modern red-dot, holographic or magnified optics on their carbine.
