I've got a M4 style carbine and I'm thinking of replacing the collapsible buttstock with a solid A2 style.  If I do this, do I need to get a "complete" A2 buttstock, or can I use the internals (spring, etc) from the collapsible one, and get just the A2 stock itself?  Del-Ton, DPMS, etc, sell both things and I need to know which one to get.

-- Sam

You'll want the complete setup.  The buffertube, and buffer itself are different than the ones in the collapsible.

You will need a rifle length receiver extension (buffer tube), the 5/8" tube extension, an A2 length stock screw and the A2 stock body along with a rifle length spring and buffer.

Quoted: You will need a rifle length receiver extension (buffer tube), the 5/8" tube extension, an A2 length stock screw and the A2 stock body along with a rifle length spring and buffer.

also the lower screw and sling loop

Have you tried such a setup yet?  What's motivating you to swap out for an A2?  Just curious........

I had an A2 on my 16" for years (came with it during the Klinton years).  I recently switched that gun out to an A1 stock with an A2 buttplate.  I like it much better.  You might want to try that.

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Quoted: I had an A2 on my 16" for years (came with it during the Klinton years).  I recently switched that gun out to an A1 stock with an A2 buttplate.  I like it much better.  You might want to try that.

Well, that raises the question:  What's the difference between an A1 and an A2?  I was assuming A2 was the standard designation for the solid stock as opposed to collapsible.

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Quoted: Have you tried such a setup yet? What's motivating you to swap out for an A2? Just curious........

Based on my above assumption, what I'm interested in is a solid, rifle length stock.  I do mostly target shooting from a rest, and the solid stock would allow the gun to sit in a rear rest.

Then again, since posting this I'm leaning more toward a bipod setup, and am not sure I need the rear stock with that, but would like to know my options, anyway.

Thanks for the replies so far.  

[Edit:] OK, so the difference between an A1 and an A2 is 5/8"? The A2 is considered a "rifle" buttstock as opposed to a "carbine" one?

-- Sam

A2 stock on the bottom, A1 in the middle:


I believe the difference in length is 5/8". Personally I prefer the A1.

ETA - There are other difference - original A1s didn't have trapdoors and when they did get them the buttplates were smooth while the A2's is checkered. The original A1 stock sling swivel was attached with a roll pin and there was no bottom screw as the buttplate was permanently affixed.

Quoted: Well, that raises the question:  What's the difference between an A1 and an A2?  I was assuming A2 was the standard designation for the solid stock as opposed to collapsible. [Edit:] OK, so the difference between an A1 and an A2 is 5/8"?  The A2 is considered a "rifle" buttstock as opposed to a "carbine" one? -- Sam

Here is a link to FALARAK's thread in the Build it yourself forum. About 2/3s down is a photo essay I did illustrating the differences between the A1 and A2 buttstocks.

Quoted: I've got a M4 style carbine and I'm thinking of replacing the collapsible buttstock with a solid A2 style.  If I do this, do I need to get a "complete" A2 buttstock, or can I use the internals (spring, etc) from the collapsible one, and get just the A2 stock itself?  Del-Ton, DPMS, etc, sell both things and I need to know which one to get. -- Sam

Got a RRA I would like to trade if you are interested.  Your complete setup for mine?

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Quoted: Got a RRA I would like to trade if you are interested.  Your complete setup for mine?

Thanks for the offer.  Let me think about it a bit;  I may do it, but as I said, I want to see what I can do with a bipod, too.

-- Sam