I chose the standard Mil-spec M4 stock mainly because it was available, and cheaper than the other light stocks like the Colt Super-Stoc of Magpul CTR. In terms of looks, it doesn't look too bad either. I got the "ribbed" version (as opposed to the "dotted" or "ultra-thin" version. Oh, wait, those are for other things, sorry), which I assume to be the more modern one as it allows various accessories to be fitted to the stock if you so desire.
I wasn't able to measure the weight of the stock, but information from the forum threads say they are around 6 ounces, or less than half a pound. Material is reportedly some sort of ABS Plastic, and the workmanship was fantastico! No flashes or other imperfections to be found anywhere on the stock. The finish was quite good, best seen in actual because it doesn't translate very well into digital pictures.
Attachment to the TSA-G was straightforward and without incident, and I have to say after feeling the stock out I would say it is a PERFECT match to the TSA-G. It is definitely much lighter than the UBR, and therefore no more of the handling issues like the rear-heaviness, or difficulty in swinging the unit about. I removed the sling loop at the bottom of the stock and its screw to save a bit of weight and bulk, I have no use for it anyway.
Also almost none of the separation of the top part of the TSA-G from the Glock frame due to the weight of the stock, unlike with the UBR stock. Overall balance of the whole Machine Pistol assembly also improved a lot. It just feels great overall.
There is a minor wobble when the stock is full retracted and partially/fully extended, but not so much to bother me too much. It is definitely within tolerable levels.
'Stokblok'
My biggest issue about this stock, though, is its lack of a indexable preset location. It is a six-position stock, meaning you can lock it thru six different lengths. However, you have to manually set it each time you retract it, slowing down somewhat its deployment. I would've preferred a programmable location where you can easily retract to everytime you pull back the stock, but that feature is found on more advanced and oftentimes heavier retractable stocks.
However, there is a solution to this, and it comes in the form of the "Stokblok". It is basically a simple, plastic "stopper" that you put on the index locations on your Buffer Tube. What this does, is allow you to limit up to where you can extend the stock, allowing for fast deployment of the stock. Here is a video showing more information about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIj17B39ido
I have two minor issues and one big issue about this item. The first minor issue, is that it tends to be too loose when you install it into the index locations so that they fall off when you turn the buffer downwards. The best thing to do is to install both the Stokblok and the stock while the index locations on the Buffer Tube is facing upwards. That way, the Stokblok will not fall off as the stock will help keep it place.
Another minor issue is that the stock won't exactly stop at the location you set, it sorts of drifts rearwards by a couple of millimeters, and a simple slap or push on the stock inwards will snap the Lock Pin in place. It does sort of corrects itself when you shoulder the weapon. Nothing serious, but a minor irritant. These two minor issues don't affect the item seriously, though. It still functions as well for its intended purpose.
The main problem is the availability in the Philippines, as the manufacturer only sells these in the US. I was able to get one thru Brownells and using a My US Mail address, but at great cost for such a small item. I do hope that sellers and gunstores in the Philippines will start stocking up on this item so we can get them at lower costs. Here is the item at the Brownells website:
- http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=42371/Product/AR-15-M16-STOKBLOK
'CAA Tactical Cheek Riser'
Another issue with this stock, it is the fact that it is a bit too low for me to rest my cheek on when sighting using the Burris Fast Fire 3 (FF3) Reflex Sight. There is a 2 1/2 inch height difference between the top of the M4 stock's cheekpiece and the centerline of the FF3's reticle, so my cheek ends up sort of barely touching the M4 stock's cheekpiece when sighting in on the FF3.
Fortunately, CAA Tactical is offering a cheek riser for these factory M4 stocks. It is made of Polymer, and very light, only a couple of ounces in weight, and doesn't add up a lot to the weight on the stock. It snaps securely into place on my M4 stock, and its just great, allowing faster aquisition of the dot as soon as my cheek touches it.
I bought one from ebay.ph, and it is a bit pricey, but so far I found it to be worth its price. There are two types to choose from, a "Low" or 1/2" version, and a "High" or 1" version. In my case, the Low 1/2" version was enough for me. Both are priced just the same, though.
'Rubber Butt Pad Too Heavy'
Another complaint is that the M4 Stock's bare checkered Butt Plate. The plastic surface is a bit slippery and doesn't offer that solid a contact with your shoulder. The hard material and sharp edges of the checkering makes it feel like a large, rough sandpaper, and this becomes evident when you are firing the weapon as those sharp edges tend to dig into your shoulder thru your shirt, causing some minor discomfort.
I bought a Tapco M4 Recoil Pad for it, but I found it to be a bit too heavy for my setup. It weighed down on the stock too much that I had the same problems again as I had with the Magpul UBR Stock. In the end, I decided to just use this for my M4 SBR build instead, as it is more apt for the fixed stock of that rifle.
'Summary'
The light M4 Stock is ideal for use with the Endotactical TSA-G setup because of its light weight. You can use accessories to compliment it to improve its functionality like with the Stokblok and CAA Tactical Cheek Riser, but it will work just as well without them. A Rubber Butt Pad is too heavy to work well with the TSA-G, so no need to use it IMHO.
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| My current M4 Stock setup with the TSA-G and Cheek Riser |
SOURCES:
- What is the shortest & lightest stock out?, http://www.m4carbine.net/archive/index.php/t-33552.html
- Choosing the best collapsible stock for "you", http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_12/188153_Choosing_the_best_collapsible_stock_for_and_34_youand_34__.html&page=1
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