Going Featureless? - Examining my options

[thegreatcow]

Good afternoon folks!

With the impending changes possibly coming in 2017, I've finally decided to examine the possibility of converting my 3 ARs to a featureless configuration. I realized the switchover would be a bit more straightforward than I realized. All of my ARs already have the proper muzzle devices (a linear compensator), I can remove the vertical grip from my Sig 516 with little issue or just use an Angled Foregrip instead.


So the big remaining thing is to address the pistol grip on each of them. The big issue I'm running into is with my 2 larger rifles. MY JP and my Sig716 both have the upgraded Magpul PRS stock on them, and ideally I'd like to keep it since I enjoy the features of them and the cost I had paid to get them in the first place.


Does anyone have any suggestions for grip replacements that would easily fit with these stocks? I've looked at Monstermans, Kydex wraps and the hammerheads but I haven't been able to find any photos or testimonials on whether any of these grips will work properly with the PRS system.

My next quandary is my 516 with the adjustable stock. Is there any easy way to permanently pin the adjustable ACS stock in place? I always use it at the max settings anyway so I'd like to save on having to swap out the stock if I can avoid it, though I suppose I could use the MOE stock with a spacer if push came to shove. Also I would then have to see what kind of grip replacement would work with it if I end up keeping the acs stock.


So yeah, that's my situation. Any information would be deeply appreciated.

[Bainter1212]

All four of my ARs are featureless.....two with Hammerhead grips and two with Thordsen stocks.

The Hammerhead will work with your 1st and 3rd rifles, but if you put one on the middle rifle it looks like you don't have enough space behind/under your endplate to wrap your thumb around the grip.

It looks like you put some nice pistol grips on your guns, so you MIGHT consider a simple grip wrap. They aren't as uncomfortable as they look, and with some ergonomic mods you can be as fast and effective (maybe even more so with a standard mag release) as a standard rifle setup.

I have found some ambi mods to be necessary for a featureless gun. I run a nice ambi short throw selector as well as a B.A.D. lever. I also run Odin mag release extenders on all of mine, I don't know how anybody goes without one of those.

As far as your adjustable stocks.....I just went ahead and drove a small screw through the adjustment paddle, so that I couldn't adjust it by hand. It is easily removeable with a screw driver if you go to train in a free state.
Lots of folks will tell you that you have to use a welder, multiple pins, epoxy etc to make it "permanent", but there is really no legal definition of "permanent" so really that is a stupid argument. If a cop can't adjust your stock without resorting to a tool, he ain't gonna arrest you for an adjustable stock.

[Junkie]

I'd be afraid of PRS counting as telescoping.

Yes, you can pin that stock.

[thegreatcow]

All four of my ARs are featureless.....two with Hammerhead grips and two with Thordsen stocks.

The Hammerhead will work with your 1st and 3rd rifles, but if you put one on the middle rifle it looks like you don't have enough space behind/under your endplate to wrap your thumb around the grip.

It looks like you put some nice pistol grips on your guns, so you MIGHT consider a simple grip wrap. They aren't as uncomfortable as they look, and with some ergonomic mods you can be as fast and effective (maybe even more so with a standard mag release) as a standard rifle setup.

I have found some ambi mods to be necessary for a featureless gun. I run a nice ambi short throw selector as well as a B.A.D. lever. I also run Odin mag release extenders on all of mine, I don't know how anybody goes without one of those.

As far as your adjustable stocks.....I just went ahead and drove a small screw through the adjustment paddle, so that I couldn't adjust it by hand. It is easily removeable with a screw driver if you go to train in a free state.
Lots of folks will tell you that you have to use a welder, multiple pins, epoxy etc to make it "permanent", but there is really no legal definition of "permanent" so really that is a stupid argument. If a cop can't adjust your stock without resorting to a tool, he ain't gonna arrest you for an adjustable stock.

Aye I have been leaning towards the kydex wraps as the simplest option given that it would allow me to preserve all of the original hardware I have on there. Do you have any recommendations? I've heard of Solar Tactical, but are there any other grip wrap companies you can recommend?

[Bainter1212]

Aye I have been leaning towards the kydex wraps as the simplest option given that it would allow me to preserve all of the original hardware I have on there. Do you have any recommendations? I've heard of Solar Tactical, but are there any other grip wrap companies you can recommend?

Afraid I cant help you there.

I took a carbine course awhile back with one of my Hammerhead grip ARs. Myself and another gentleman were the only ones with featureless rifles. He had a grip wrap.
We were both WAY faster at reloading and getting back on target than everyone else running bullet buttons. It felt like ages before the rest of the class had completed their reloads and were back in position. We also had to reload less often because we could both run our 30s...although that won't last too much longer.
While I prefer to wrap my thumb around something (I have small Trump hands), the gentleman with the grip wrap let me handle his rifle during a break and it was eminently useable. I felt like I had a decent handle on the weapon and was able to reach his (ambi) selector and mag release.

You will have better luck asking your questions in the semi-auto centerfire section of the forum.....this section is usually dead.

There are a lot of featureless haters in that section though, so be aware. Most of them just hate the way featureless rifles look. I, for one, prefer functionality in my battle rifles.
ARs are ugly as it is.....who cares what it looks like haha.

[NATEWA]

There are calgunners that make them. I like the thordsen stocks.

[NATEWA]

Click boom did a wrap for me a while back.

[@miller]

My opinion - make a few featureless, but register a few as RAWs. When the CA gun grabbers make you register the featureless stuff in a few years - you may wish you had registered some as real rifles because they all will be treated the same at that point.

I hope I am wrong - but it has never ended since the 1989 ban...I don't think it will end here.

[tonelar]

on the adjustable stocks, doesnt removing the paddle and cross pin work? if you can't make it slide without a tool, I think it'd be sufficient.

doesn't solar tactical make kydex wraps anymore?

[claylakers]

I've heard lots of good things about both Exile Machine and munkeeboi. May want to see if either of them have something to fit your need. Good luck

[kalibeltfeeder]

Correct me guys, but I thought the collapsible stocks only need to be pinned if when collapsed the rifle is less than 30" ?

Therefore you can still have a collapsible stock on a featureless rifle? Or am I missing something?

[Junkie]

Correct me guys, but I thought the collapsible stocks only need to be pinned if when collapsed the rifle is less than 30" ?

Therefore you can still have a collapsible stock on a featureless rifle? Or am I missing something?

A telescoping stock is an evil feature.

A centerfire rifle that's fireable at <30" is an AW even with a fixed magazine, so that's probably what you're thinking of.

[Fern]

Correct me guys, but I thought the collapsible stocks only need to be pinned if when collapsed the rifle is less than 30" ?

Therefore you can still have a collapsible stock on a featureless rifle? Or am I missing something?

No evil features on a featureless. Collapsible stock is an evil feature.

[kalibeltfeeder]

Thanks junkie thanks Fern, got it now, forgot about the little green 'evil features' box on the AW flow chart, always been a maglock kinda guy, just thinking about options.

What's the consensus on completely stripped frames? Or will owning the other parts count as constructive possession?

[Full Clip]

My opinion - make a few featureless, but register a few as RAWs.

Exactly my approach.