One day, a couple in Citrus County, Florida was at home when a man knocked on their door carrying an AR-15-style rifle.
The man said he was a Citrus County Sheriff’s Deputy, but the couple was suspicious of the man.
He then forced his way inside and held the couple at gunpoint.
The male victim ran from the house and ran to a neighbor for help.
The gunman chased the male victim and kicked in the neighbor’s door that he had fled to.
Once inside the second house, a fight ensued between the homeowner, the victim, and the intruder.
The homeowner was able to disarm the intruder and take control of the rifle, then he started hitting the intruder in the head with the buttstock of the rifle.
The intruder was able to get away and ran from the residence and ran to a waiting car nearby and sped off from the scene.
Police were able to identify the vehicle and traced it to the owner’s address.
The owner of the vehicle was arrested for being the getaway driver.
And police also located the intruder who was hiding in a nearby shed.
He refused to comply with police, and he was taken into custody with the help of a K9.
The intruder was charged with multiple felonies including home invasion.
I’m guessing that this incident could have had a different outcome had the homeowner not hit the intruder with the buttstock and made him think twice.
It also shows that even if you don’t fire a gun, you can use it to strike with if you have to.
As you know, I love the AR-15 rifle. It’s a “do it all” type of weapon and there are tons of aftermarket parts available.
This is especially true when it comes to AR-15 buttstocks.
Since many AR-15 owners want to customize their rifles, here are a few things to know when looking for a new buttstock.
Collapsible stocks:
Collapsible stocks are found on many AR-15 rifles since they are designed for a variety of tasks.
The stocks can be adjusted for the length of pull and can be fully collapsed for storage.
Some collapsible stocks have adjustable cheek risers or butt pads.
Collapsible stocks are versatile and can be useful for many different shooting environments from long distances to close quarters.
One thing to keep in mind is that less expensive collapsible stocks can have a looser fit with a little bit of play.
So, make sure you get a quality stock with a secondary lock to prevent any play.
Fixed stocks:
Fixed stocks are fixed to a specific length and do not move along the buffer tube.
The A2 stock is one of the most common fixed stocks for the AR-15.
These stocks are no-frill designs and usually have a single mounting ring for a sling and a small storage compartment.
Whether you are building an inexpensive rifle or a fancy one with the most expensive parts, a fixed stock can get the job done.
If you want to keep the weight of the rifle down, then a fixed stock is the best choice.
Adjustable stocks:
An adjustable stock is different from a collapsible one because they don’t slide along the buffer tube.
However, an adjustable stock still allows the shooter to adjust the length of the pull or cheek riser height.
An adjustable stock lets you fine-tune the adjustments whereas a collapsible one lets you move it to predetermined positions.
These stocks are geared towards marksmanship and often include things like monopod mounting rails and contoured lower sections to pull the rifle into the shoulder.
They are usually heavier compared to other stock designs but have more features for customization.
The best stock for you will depend on what you do most with your rifle.
If you are building a rifle on a budget, you might prefer a fixed stock.
But if you are using your rifle for competition shooting you might be better off with an adjustable stock.
No matter what stock design you want there are plenty of companies that manufacture aftermarket buttstocks.
The first company I would look at is Magpul.
All of their stocks are made from impact-resistant polymer.
They sell a range of stocks from entry-level to premium options with every feature you could want.
Another company I would look at is Mission First Tactical.
They sell quality stocks with minimalist designs, which means their stocks don’t have a bunch of features, but they are lightweight and get the job done.
Finally, I would look at Bravo Company Manufacturing.
They produce top-of-the-line aftermarket parts.
Their Mod 0 stock has a snag-free design and a slim appearance.
Before putting an aftermarket buttstock on your rifle keep in mind that there could be legal restrictions, especially if you have a short-barreled rifle.
Check your local and state laws before replacing the buttstock to make sure you follow all laws.
But the stock is just one part of your rifle you can customize.
There are many others, but you don’t need to go crazy.
