How does an AR work with a folding stock?

[Mugwump]

I've seen a couple of examples of AR rifles with folding stocks. How does this work without the function of the buffer tube?

[stevie]

folding stock or collapasible, never seen a AR-15 type rifle with a folding stock. The Armalite AR-180 used a true folding stock. The AR-15 as you stated requires the buffer tube for the bolt and spring for cycling the action. Tech. Ted has a much better explanation!!!

[BigAL]

The only one I'm aware of is by ZM weapons and does not use a buffer tube. I forget exactly how it operates but it's not a standard gas tube. Instead it has the operating spring around the rod that attaches to the bolt carrier and runs above the bore. It's not a piston design either.

ETA: It basically still uses the gas tube system but it is directly connected to the carrier key and the pring goes around the tube. So it isn't a true piston but should run a bit cleaner than the standard design since the carrier key never detaches from the tube. Also, the carrier key is like half the length of a standard one since it has no buffer tube to go into during recoil.

[fun2none]

gas piston uppers

Patriot Ordnance makes a gas piston upper. It is not cheap. I would also be concerned about the ergonomics of a side-folding stock on an AR. If you ever had to fire the weapon with the stock folded, could you still reach the bolt release or magazine release, will it interfere with ejection ?

[BigAL]

I've always been fascinated by the coolness of folding stocks and how compact they make the rifle. However, I have yet to find one that is as comfy as a fixed or collapsable stock.

[Stanze]

Another twist on the topic is the Daewoo K2 although not a AR, accepts AR mags is gas piston operated and incorporates a folding stock.

http://world.guns.ru/assault/as32-e.htm

[Richard]

hayes research

I think this may be another choice

http://www.hayesresearch.com/

[shopkeep]

OK, I'm going to let the cat out of the bag here. I've been planning a build with a folding stock for a while now and will be using ZM Weapons. To go for maximum evil factor I'll be using a single point tactical sling and a vertical forward pistol grip (just imagine how evil it will look with the stock folded heh).

[Hitman]

My old ZM.

Imagine it with the stock folded

[elmo]

The receiver extension (AKA "Buffer Tube") contains the recoil buffer and recoil buffer spring which absorb recoil during compression and drive the loading cycle on decompression of the spring. On the folding stock versions you've seen, the standard AR15 recoil buffer system and gas system are replaced by a gas piston and spring placed over the barrel.

sounds like the SU16 design?