The AR-15 rifle has a couple of key components that set it apart from nearly every other rifle from its era - its unique approach to the buttstock. Since the AR-15’s design was originally adapted to use the direct gas impingement system, the buffer tube required for this system is an integral part of not only the operation of the rifle but the ability of the AR-15 to adopt nearly any design of the stock. Stocks can range quite wildly and what kind of stock you’ll end up using is probably going to be different based on what you’re trying to accomplish. Whether you’re after comfort, weight, adjustment options, or other features, there is something out there for nearly everyone.
One of my favorite aftermarket stocks comes from the guys over at Magpul. The Magpul CTR stock is great in one specific aspect - it’s kind of a jack of all trades. While the stock doesn’t feature any comb height adjustment options, it does feature a great balance of features. The CTR stock is quite durable and made from glass-reinforced nylon making for a tough buttstock. The stock also includes QD attachment points for QD slings but also features sling slots for those that prefer to run their stock with an integrated sling. Best of all the Magpul CTR stock is super affordable and comes in a wide variety of colors. The biggest downside of the CTR stock is that it’s kind of played out - nearly everyone has one and modern builders are often looking for something that will make their rifle stand out.
Tyrant Designs has its own new offering to the aftermarket stock scene - their new NexGen Buttstock is an aluminum offering that combines a number of durable features like a hybrid material design that incorporates polymer and carbon fiber in addition to the aluminum frame to create a truly durable buttstock that is capable of handling just about anything you throw at it. While the NexGen buttstock doesn’t have any accommodation for a bare sling, it does have ambidextrous QD cups as well as ambidextrous levers for adjusting the length of pull. The biggest downside to the NexGen buttstock is its high upfront asking price but given its use of unique and modern materials, it's not too much of an ask. Obviously, the NexGen Buttstock in its other color configurations can make for some pretty alluring builds and I think the black and silver options fit in just fine with most modern rifle builds as well.
If you’re more of a long-range guy then you might want to abscond with the idea of an adjustable buttstock and instead opt to use a fixed-length stock. There aren’t too many options out here outside of the regular A1 and A2 fixed stocks but Magpul once again makes a great offering that also offers some adjustment capability which is better suited to long-range precision shooting. However, if you’re after aesthetics, and don’t want or need any adjustability in your buttstock, the Hera Arms CQR stock looks pretty futuristic and takes to a variety of DIY coatings very well - the biggest downside here is durability as its a clamshell design and doesn’t really offer a lot in the way of advanced materials. That being said, it can turn any boring or basic AR-15 rifle and turn it into something straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster.
