| Rank | Model | Brand | Weight | Price | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CTR Carbine Stock | Magpul | 8.4 oz | $55-$70 | Collapsible | Best Overall - The gold standard AR15 stock |
| 2 | Bravo Stock | B5 Systems | 8.25 oz | $55-$70 | Collapsible | Best Cheek Weld - SOPMOD comfort without the bulk |
| 3 | Gunfighter Stock Mod 0 | Bravo Company | 7.0 oz | $55-$65 | Collapsible | Best Lightweight - Snag-free at only 7 oz |
| 4 | MOE Fixed Carbine Stock | Magpul | 13.5 oz | $28-$40 | Fixed | Best Fixed - Simple durability, no moving parts |
| 5 | STR Carbine Stock | Magpul | 12.5 oz | $75-$95 | Collapsible | Best Precision Cheek - Wide top for stable shooting |
| 6 | Enhanced SOPMOD Stock | B5 Systems | 11.2 oz | $90-$110 | Collapsible | Best Storage - Water-resistant compartments + SOPMOD cheek |
| 7 | SL Carbine Stock | Magpul | 9.6 oz | $55-$70 | Collapsible | Best for Scopes - Better weight balance for magnified optics |
| 8 | ACS-L Carbine Stock | Magpul | 10.8 oz | $75-$90 | Collapsible | Best Feature Set - Storage + friction lock + cheek weld |
| 9 | Battlelink Minimalist Stock | Mission First Tactical | 5.8 oz | $35-$50 | Collapsible | Best Ultralight - Under 6 oz with real cheek weld |
| 10 | PRS Lite Stock | Magpul | 18.2 oz | $100-$120 | Precision | Best Budget Precision - Adjustable at half PRS Gen 3 price |
Looking for the best stock for your AR15? After testing every major stock from Magpul, B5 Systems, BCM, and MFT, we've ranked the top performers. From the CTR's legendary friction lock to the B5 Bravo's perfect cheek weld, this guide covers everything. We break down collapsible vs fixed, SOPMOD vs slim, storage options, and why you should never buy the MOE or UBR. Whether you want the lightest stock or the best cheek weld, we'll help you choose right.
Best Overall: Magpul CTR ($55-$70) - Friction lock prevents wobble, QD sling mount included, perfect balance of features and weight. The gold standard.
Best Cheek Weld: B5 Systems Bravo ($55-$70) - SOPMOD-style cheek without the storage weight. Zero rattle, perfect face angle.
Best Lightweight: BCM Gunfighter Mod 0 ($55-$65) - Only 7 oz, snag-free, beard-friendly. Lightest quality stock.
Best Fixed: Magpul MOE Fixed ($28-$40) - Simple, rigid, no moving parts. Under $40.
Avoid: Magpul MOE (rattles, CTR is $15 more), UBR Gen 2 (21 oz, expensive, uncomfortable gap), PRS Gen 3 (28 oz, $250+, overkill), ACS (heavy battery tubes).
This guide was inspired by Hop's excellent breakdown of Magpul stocks. Watch his full tier list below.
Video by Hop on YouTube. We are not affiliated with Hop or his channel — we just love his content and think this is the best stock breakdown on the internet.
Ranked by cheek weld quality, lockup, weight, features, and value. Each has been tested on AR15 platforms across multiple use cases.
Best Overall - The gold standard AR15 stock
Best Cheek Weld - SOPMOD comfort without the bulk
Best Lightweight - Snag-free at only 7 oz
Best Fixed - Simple durability, no moving parts
Best Precision Cheek - Wide top for stable shooting
Best Storage - Water-resistant compartments + SOPMOD cheek
Best for Scopes - Better weight balance for magnified optics
Best Feature Set - Storage + friction lock + cheek weld
Best Ultralight - Under 6 oz with real cheek weld
Best Budget Precision - Adjustable at half PRS Gen 3 price
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Choosing the right stock type depends on your use case. Here's how they compare:
Best picks: CTR, B5 Bravo, BCM Gunfighter
Best pick: MOE Fixed Carbine
Best pick: PRS Lite (not PRS Gen 3)
Friction lock is the single most important feature that separates quality stocks from cheap ones. Without it, your stock wobbles on the buffer tube. The wobble isn't dangerous, but it's annoying and makes your rifle feel cheap.
The catch: Not all stocks without friction lock wobble. The B5 Bravo has such tight tolerances that it locks up solid anyway. The BCM Gunfighter is also tight for most users. But the Magpul MOE? It rattles. Always get the CTR instead.
| Rank | Model | Price | Weight | Friction Lock | QD Mount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magpul CTR Carbine Stock | $55-$70 | 8.4 oz | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | B5 Systems Bravo Stock | $55-$70 | 8.25 oz | No | Yes |
| 3 | Bravo Company Gunfighter Stock Mod 0 | $55-$65 | 7.0 oz | No | Yes |
| 4 | Magpul MOE Fixed Carbine Stock | $28-$40 | 13.5 oz | No | Kit req. |
| 5 | Magpul STR Carbine Stock | $75-$95 | 12.5 oz | Yes | Yes |
Common questions about choosing the best stock for AR15 in 2026.
The Magpul CTR is the best overall stock for AR15. It has a friction lock that eliminates wobble, includes a QD sling mount, weighs only 8.4 oz, and costs just $55-70. It's the gold standard that all other stocks are compared against. The B5 Bravo is a close second if you prioritize cheek weld over friction lock.
No. The Magpul MOE stock is not worth it when the CTR exists. The MOE lacks a friction lock (so it wobbles), lacks a QD sling mount, and costs only $10-15 less than the CTR. There is literally no reason to buy the MOE unless you find one for under $25. Just get the CTR.
The STR has a wider top surface for a better cheek weld and includes battery storage tubes on the sides. It weighs 12.5 oz vs 8.4 oz for the CTR. Both have friction locks. Get the STR if you run magnified optics and want the best cheek weld. Get the CTR for everything else.
No. The UBR Gen 2 is a hype beast stock. It weighs 21 oz, costs $200+, has an uncomfortable gap when extended, and the storage door is useless. The only real benefit is rock-solid lockup, but the STR gives you that with a friction lock at half the weight and price. The UBR is for Instagram, not practical use.
The MFT Battlelink Minimalist at 5.8 oz is the lightest quality AR15 stock. The BCM Gunfighter Mod 0 at 7 oz is a close second with more features. If you need the absolute minimum weight for a lightweight build, go MFT. If you want the best balance of light weight and features, go BCM.
Ready to continue? Here's the recommended next guide:
AR-15 lower receiver parts quality guide. Review triggers, springs, buffers, and LPK components by tier with upgrade priorities, reliability considerations, and replacement schedules.
Or explore a related topic:
AR-15 Trigger Guide->Was this helpful?
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