We tested dozens of stocks and found the Magpul CTR and the BCM SOPMOD Mod 0 to be some of the Best AR-15 Stocks.
After updating the grip, the stock is one of the most important upgrades to an AR-15. It is one of the three touch points (grip, stock, support hand), and I find that it affects the consistency of my shots.
Some stocks are made for a particular purpose, and it is easy to confuse which stock is best for a particular situation.
We have built dozens of AR-15s and used them both in the military and at competitions. We know that the standard Mil-spec stock is not our favorite. It is too loose on the buffer tube, and the ergonomics are terrible.
Keep reading to find our favorite AR-15 stocks and how to pick the best one for your rifle.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary of Our Favorites
Others we like:
Best AR-15 Stocks
Magpul CTR – Best General Purpose
- Weight: 8.9 oz
- Type: General Purpose
- Sling Attachments: Sling Slot and QD
- MSRP: $64.95
The Magpul CTR is our favorite general purpose AR-15 Stock. If you want something that is good for the range, home defense, and long-range shooting, this is the one you want.
This stock has a slim, “A Frame” type design that feels lightweight, allowing me to move between shots quickly.
I really like how snug it is on my AR buffer tube. It has a secondary friction lock system that eliminates any play that I feel on most other stocks.
The adjustment lever is tucked underneath the stock, so it prevents it from snagging or getting depressed unintentionally. The locking system lever is on the front side of the bottom part of the stock. When the lever is pressed, it automatically releases the locking system lever. After adjusting the stock, I simply press the locking lever, and the stock is secure.
The butt pad is angled and tapered at the bottom. This allows me to mount it quickly to my shoulder from low ready. The pad is firm yet comfortable.
The top of the stock has a slimmer profile. I wish it were a little larger so I could get a better check weld. But it is only a minor issue.
While this stock isn’t the best at one thing, it is a great option if you only have one AR-15.
Magpul SL-K – Best Compact
- Weight: 7.8 oz
- Type: Compact/Close Quarters
- Sling Attachments: Sling Slot
- MSRP: $44.95
The Magpul SL-K is our favorite small, compact stock.
This stock has a slim profile and works well in lightweight and CQB-type setups. The butt pad is smaller than other stocks and has a tapered toe that allows me to mount it quickly. Even though it is small, I found it still has decent cushioning.
While not really a “lightweight” stock, it is slightly lighter than most others.
I like the adjustment lever on this stock. It is recessed in the center, so it doesn’t snag on anything and get inadvertently pulled. It is also ambidextrous with a lever on both sides.
I did find that there is a slight amount of play between the stock and the buffer tube. It is not enough to be distracting, though. It is unnoticeable when doing drills at the range.
The top of the stock has what I would call a medium-sized area for a check weld. It is not as big as some of the others, but this is a compact stock, so it is a good compromise. I would call it good enough for close-range shots.
This stock only has slots for a sling and no QD attachment. Magpul does sell a M-LOK QD sling mount, though, so if you like a QD sling, it is still possible.
BCM SOPMOD Mod 0 – Best CQB
- Weight: 9.2 oz
- Type: Compact/Close Quarters
- Sling Attachments: Sling Slot and QD
- MSRP: $57.95
The BCM SOPMOD Mod 0 stock is one of my favorite close quarters stocks.
I like how this stock has no protrusions or levers sticking out. I found it impossible to snag it on anything. The nice angle at the rear of the stock simply deflects everything away from it.
I also like that it is snug on my rifle, and there is no noticeable play on the buffer tube.
I really like the adjustment lever. Actually, it doesn’t even have a traditional lever. To adjust it, I press the center part of the stock on the bottom. This part of the stock compresses like a lever but remains flush with the rest of the stock during use.
The top of the stock has a wide-angle surface that allows me to quickly get a good check weld. The wider area is notched towards the rear of the stock, which is nice when I am wearing a plate carrier.
The butt pad has a slight angle to it and is tapered at the bottom. I found this helps me to be more consistent and quicker when bringing my rifle up on target.
Overall, this is a great stock for home defense and general use. It is much better than the standard Mil-spec stock.
Magpul DT-PR – Best Precision/Tactical
- Weight: 10.7 oz
- Type: Precision/Hunting
- Sling Attachments: Sling Slot and QD
- MSRP: $64.95
The Magpul DT-PR is one of the newest stocks from Magpul that includes their Dual-Tension (DT) system.
This stock takes features from long-range precision stocks and combines them with general-purpose tactical stocks.
I found the result to be a sturdy tactical stock with features that assist with precision shooting.
I really like how this stock is easy to adjust, but tight on the buffer tube at the same time. There is no wobble or movement whatsoever.
For precision shots, the lower front strap of the stock has a support hand rest which allows me to hold my rifle against my shoulder when shooting with a bipod or other type of rest. The bottom of the stock at the butt pad has a flat section for resting on a bag or shooting rest.
The butt pad is thick and has a nice cushion. The stock is fairly heavy, too. I find these two features help to reduce felt recoil, allowing me to take follow-up shots at distance quicker.
At short ranges and CQB-type work, this stock is not the best choice. The weight works against me here. But it is not terrible either, and much better than other precision stocks I have used.
The top of the stock doesn’t have much surface area for establishing a good cheek weld. I find this is not a huge issue for precision shots, but for quick close-range shots, it does slow me down a bit.
B5 Systems Bravo
- Weight: 9.3 oz
- Type: General Purpose
- Sling Attachments: Sling Slot and QD
- MSRP: $61.00
The B5 Systems Bravo stock is a smaller, compact stock with a few features that I really like.
The upper part of the stock is wide and angled, and I can quickly find a good check weld. This helps with being consistent and indexing my rifle in the same place every time.
The butt pad has a slight angle to it, and I find this makes it more comfortable which, again, helps with consistency. It has a nice thick pad on it as well. It is firm but provides some cushioning at the same time.
The adjustment lever is not my favorite. It hangs down some below the bottom of the stock. I have not had any issues with it hanging on anything, but it is a possibility with the way it is designed.
This stock does have some play on the buffer tube. It is not as bad as a Mil-Spec stock, but it is noticeable.
I do like that it is compact, especially for home defense or short-range drills. It feels sturdy and very durable. However, this is not a “lightweight” stock. It is not heavy, just I expected since it was compact to be a little lighter.
It comes in all the standard colors, and as a nice touch, the steel hardware color matches the polymer, instead of just black across the board.
MFT Battlelink Minimalist Stock
- Weight: 5.8 oz
- Type: Lightweight/Close quarters
- Sling Attachments: Sling Slot and QD
- MSRP: $64.99
The Mission First Tactical Battlelink Minimalist Stock is one of the best lightweight stocks we have used.
The minimal design, while lean, still includes features to make this stock fully functional.
I like how the butt pad is angled and tapered at the bottom. I can quickly mount my rifle, even when wearing body armor. I also like the rubber pad; it is thick and comfortable, but still firm enough not to feel squishy.
I really like the adjustment lever. It is recessed into the bottom of the stock and doesn’t look like a traditional lever at all. This keeps it from snagging on my gear and inadvertently causing it to release.
I did notice this stock has a little bit of play on the buffer tube. It is not a lot and is barely noticeable. I also noticed that it is tighter on my buffer tube when it is fully collapsed. It wasn’t a huge issue; it just takes a little more force to adjust it.
The back of the stock does form a “hook” shape, so it can snag on some items depending on my setup. I found that the stock has a couple of holes that allowed me to use paracord to essentially get rid of the hook while adding minimal weight.
The top of the stock has a smaller area to index my cheek against. It is just OK, not my favorite, but not super detrimental either.
I also like how this stock has multiple sling attachment points, more than most other stocks.
How We Tested the Best AR-15 Stocks
Over the past 10 years, we have built various AR-15s and tested them at the range and in competitions. We looked at each stock’s overall design, ergonomics, weight, durability, availability, price/value, and overall ease of using them in our builds.
We then tried them with various lowers, both Mil-spec and higher-end Mil-spec + lowers. We have fired at least 250 rounds with each, with our top picks seeing well over 1,500 rounds over the years.
Our top picks included input not only from our team but also from many others in our community, both in person and online. We considered everyone’s experiences and opinions over the past 10 years to achieve what we think is the most balanced and comprehensive review available.
Tips for Choosing the Best AR-15 Stock
There are a few critical aspects we have found to be critical to selecting the best stock for our AR-15s.
With all the AR-15 stocks out there, it is tempting to just buy the one that looks cool. This is usually not the best way to go. While some are good just for general purposes, some have a very specific intent.
Here are our tips on what to look for based on our experience.
1. Determine the Purpose
The first consideration before choosing a stock is to decide on a purpose for your AR-15. If you don’t have a specific purpose, that’s OK too, just make sure you go with a general-purpose stock. There are three main categories to consider.
Lightweight
Lighter, compact stocks are best for home defense, close quarters, or competitions where maneuverability is a priority. A big, chunky stock is not helpful in these situations.
Precision
A stable stock that is a little on the heavy side is best for long-range shooting. The weight will reduce the felt recoil and will help stabilize the rifle in a supported position. Most precision stocks will also include extra features to help me push the rifle into my shoulder with my support hand.
General Purpose
If you plan to use your AR-15 for just about anything, stocks that are in between a heavier, precision stock and a lightweight, minimalist stock are the best choice. There are different styles of these, and typically they look similar to a mil spec standard stock.
2. Design
There are a few design elements to look for in an AR-15 stock.
Stocks that are loose on the buffer tube are not just annoying; they cause inconsistencies in my shooting. A stable stock is important for all scenarios, not just precision ones.
Look for stocks that have some type of secondary locking mechanism that locks the stock down after adjusting it. This is usually evident by a secondary lever that puts pressure on the tube, taking up slack in the adjustment mechanism. However, some have a locking system included with the main lever.
Being able to consistently set a proper check weld when mounting (bringing it up to aim) my rifle is also important. Different stocks affect my check weld differently.
A consistent check weld gets my eye in the correct position for the optics that I am using. In home defense scenarios, this is important since I will likely be under duress and need to act quickly.
But it is also important in precision shooting with a scope.
I look for a stock that has a generous pad to index my check against. There is a bit of a tradeoff here between size and weight. Obviously, lighter stocks will not have a huge top surface.
3. Legal Considerations
While we can’t give legal advice, it is up to you to know the laws in your area.
Keep in mind that federal law defines a rifle as any firearm with a barrel length over 16”. It also says that only rifles can have stocks unless the owner gets an SBR (Short Barrel Rifle) tax stamp through the ATF.
So, unless you want to go through with the paperwork and $200 tax stamp, it’s not a great idea to put one of these stocks on an AR-15 with a barrel shorter than 16”. Instead, consider an arm brace, which we will cover soon!
4. Sling Attachment Points
On my AR-15 stocks, I like to make sure there is at least one attachment point for a sling. A sling is essential for mobility and self-defense.
There are two main attachment types: sling slots or QD swivel attachment points.
I personally prefer the QD swivels, just make sure your preferred type is available on the stock you pick.
5. Fixed vs Adjustable
While traditional fixed stocks are available for AR-15s, we like adjustable ones better.
Adjustable stocks collapse and take up less room for storage. Plus, since they are adjustable, they can be fitted to the shooter.
They are the best way to go for all possible scenarios, we think.
Stay Updated and Learn More
After you choose the best AR15 stock for you, be sure to stay up to date on all of our content by joining our Newsletter. Each week, we include tips on how to stay mentally prepared with actionable ideas and strategies. We also include any good deals we have found, plus updates on our content.
We would like to thank AmmunitionToGo.com for providing the ammo that we used to test these AR-15 stocks at the range. We used Fiocchi M193 5.56 ammo for most of our testing since it is a standard NATO round.
Now, check out our other Self-Defense guides for more, from AR-15 Basics to our favorite parts and upgrades. Also, be sure to check out our favorite AR-15 stripped lowers, the Best AR-15 Grips, the Best AR-15 Triggers, and the Best AR-15 Charging Handles for your next build!
Also check out our review of TacPack, a cool tactical gear subscription box that includes a lot of different AR-15 parts each month!
