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This is going to be a looooong post with lots of photos. It's going to be spread out over several posts because the forum only allows five photo uploads per post. I’ll try to offer as much useful information and opinion as I can, but feel free to ask questions. Other than that, I hope everyone enjoys the reviews and I hope my opinions help a few people looking at converting to featureless. As with any of my opinions, your satisfaction is guaranteed or your money back.
For a really comprehensive list of featureless products, check out MudCamper's compilation thread.
Flavors of Featureless: A Taste Test
The featureless bug bit me at the beginning of the year and I’ve collected and tried numerous featureless setups in just three short months. I thought I’d offer my opinions and photos of three of my favorite setups to help others who might be on the fence about their featureless configuration.
We’re going to take a look at three featureless grip/stock/safety setups today:
GENERAL THOUGHTS
I’ve also tried multiple kydex-wrapped grips, the Strike Industries Simple Grip, and the Monsterman grip, among others. The three configurations above were my favorite, but I’m still tinkering with the combos.
Out of all the different parts I’ve tried, I wanted to specifically call out the Sparrow Dynamics ambi safety for exceptional design. The idea is so simple that I’m really surprised no one has made such a versatile and configurable safety before. In my opinion, it’s an evolutionary step forward from the 45- and 60-degree short throw safeties currently on the market. I was really, really impressed with how simple it made my manual of arms.
I prefer a configuration where my trigger finger has access to as many operational controls as possible so that my off hand is free to manipulate everything else in my workspace and environment. I run Magpul B.A.D. levers on all my ARs for that reason. The Sparrow safety takes that one step further by making it much easier to manipulate the safety as well.
I have big hands. I wear a size “L” glove when I buy nitrile work gloves at Harbor Freight. Here is a photo of my hand next to a Sharpie and a can of beans for reference:
DSC_6509.jpg
Thordsen Customs Gen II stock with Seekins Precision ambi safety:
DSC_6482.jpg
DSC_6488.jpg
I really like the hand ergonomics of this setup. As you can see from the pics, it puts my trigger finger in an optimal position relative to the trigger. My thumb can still easily operate the left side safety lever, so an ambi safety isn’t a necessity like other featureless setups. I will eventually replace the bullet button with an extended mag release on this gun. My finger juuuuuust gets on the mag release right now. Thordsen Customs even includes a dehorned end plate to improve comfort as you choke up on your grip. This is a company that’s really paying attention to the little details.
DSC_6501.jpg
I’ve seen some complaints about how thin the grip area is, but I don’t think it’s any thinner than your standard A2 grip. You can always build up the grip with tennis racquet wrap or put on Talon grip tape. For guys shooting 3-Gun, or for anyone using this for home defense, weapon retention and control is going to be a really big consideration when selecting a featureless grip. The Thordsen stock provides the highest level of retention and control, in my opinion.
DSC_6502.jpg
The narrow cheek weld and lack of adjustability in the stock was a drawback, but not a dealbreaker. I think cheek weld will really come down to user preference, but I prefer wider stocks like the Magpul STR and ACS. The length of pull is the same as an A2 stock, which isn’t optimal for guys who like their nose to the charging handle. Look to the Gen III Thordsen if you want more LOP adjustability.
It is the most expensive configuration in this review, at $144 for the enhanced Thordsen stock kit and $40 for the Seekins safety when buying from the manufacturers. Cost will be a major factor for folks with multiple rifles to convert.
See next post for the Sparrow Dynamics Grip with Sparrow Dynamics ambi safety and Magpul ACS/Strike Industries Stock Stop.
For a really comprehensive list of featureless products, check out MudCamper's compilation thread.
Flavors of Featureless: A Taste Test
The featureless bug bit me at the beginning of the year and I’ve collected and tried numerous featureless setups in just three short months. I thought I’d offer my opinions and photos of three of my favorite setups to help others who might be on the fence about their featureless configuration.
We’re going to take a look at three featureless grip/stock/safety setups today:
- The Thordsen Customs Gen II stock with Seekins Precision ambi safety
- The Sparrow Dynamics Grip with Sparrow Dynamics ambi safety and Magpul ACS/Strike Industries Stock Stop
- Strike Industries Megafin grip with Strike Industries Strike Switch
GENERAL THOUGHTS
I’ve also tried multiple kydex-wrapped grips, the Strike Industries Simple Grip, and the Monsterman grip, among others. The three configurations above were my favorite, but I’m still tinkering with the combos.
Out of all the different parts I’ve tried, I wanted to specifically call out the Sparrow Dynamics ambi safety for exceptional design. The idea is so simple that I’m really surprised no one has made such a versatile and configurable safety before. In my opinion, it’s an evolutionary step forward from the 45- and 60-degree short throw safeties currently on the market. I was really, really impressed with how simple it made my manual of arms.
I prefer a configuration where my trigger finger has access to as many operational controls as possible so that my off hand is free to manipulate everything else in my workspace and environment. I run Magpul B.A.D. levers on all my ARs for that reason. The Sparrow safety takes that one step further by making it much easier to manipulate the safety as well.
I have big hands. I wear a size “L” glove when I buy nitrile work gloves at Harbor Freight. Here is a photo of my hand next to a Sharpie and a can of beans for reference:
DSC_6509.jpg
Thordsen Customs Gen II stock with Seekins Precision ambi safety:
DSC_6482.jpg
DSC_6488.jpg
I really like the hand ergonomics of this setup. As you can see from the pics, it puts my trigger finger in an optimal position relative to the trigger. My thumb can still easily operate the left side safety lever, so an ambi safety isn’t a necessity like other featureless setups. I will eventually replace the bullet button with an extended mag release on this gun. My finger juuuuuust gets on the mag release right now. Thordsen Customs even includes a dehorned end plate to improve comfort as you choke up on your grip. This is a company that’s really paying attention to the little details.
DSC_6501.jpg
I’ve seen some complaints about how thin the grip area is, but I don’t think it’s any thinner than your standard A2 grip. You can always build up the grip with tennis racquet wrap or put on Talon grip tape. For guys shooting 3-Gun, or for anyone using this for home defense, weapon retention and control is going to be a really big consideration when selecting a featureless grip. The Thordsen stock provides the highest level of retention and control, in my opinion.
DSC_6502.jpg
The narrow cheek weld and lack of adjustability in the stock was a drawback, but not a dealbreaker. I think cheek weld will really come down to user preference, but I prefer wider stocks like the Magpul STR and ACS. The length of pull is the same as an A2 stock, which isn’t optimal for guys who like their nose to the charging handle. Look to the Gen III Thordsen if you want more LOP adjustability.
It is the most expensive configuration in this review, at $144 for the enhanced Thordsen stock kit and $40 for the Seekins safety when buying from the manufacturers. Cost will be a major factor for folks with multiple rifles to convert.
See next post for the Sparrow Dynamics Grip with Sparrow Dynamics ambi safety and Magpul ACS/Strike Industries Stock Stop.
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