Breaking Down AR 15 Folding Stock Options

m4 folding stock
April 4, 2014  
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Categories: Guns

The Law Tactical folder is one of the most popular ways of creating a folding stock AR15 – and was one of the first accessories to do so.

LAW TACTICAL Folder

AR15 Folding Stock Adapter

Nate Murr

The M16-M4-AR-15 is one of the most common family of weapons in the entire world, and definitely America’s go-to rifle. It’s been in continuous production since the 1950s, with no end in sight. Cursed with the stigma of early failures in Vietnam, it took nearly 40 years for the weapon system to truly be trusted and accepted by most Gunfighters. The M4 program and work of USSOCOM have pushed the platform forward into the modern era, and with the expiration of the assault weapons ban in 2004, there is now a great niche sub-industry build entirely around the whole family

With nearly limitless options now available, there is little you can’t do to tailor it to your own specific needs.  Carried by the armed forces, the M16, M4 carbine, Mk-12 sniper rifle, and MK-18 short barrel continue to serve justice and deliver ballistic freedom all over the world. DRMO’d service rifles have been donated to state and local police departments, and more and more cops are being authorized to bring personal AR-15s along on the job. Military and LE users aside, for many people in the vast open countryside an AR-15 is a common “truck gun”; it rests in rear window rifle racks and more discretely under rear seats.

Law-Tactical-folder_Nate-Murr

This Law Tactical folder is currently locked out so the rifle can stand up. It’s easy to see, though, how a folding AR would be easier to manipulate in the tight confines of a vehicle (in fact, many different kinds of vehicles).

For years, companies tried to shorten the weapon and make it more compact. This usually resulted in heavy modifications to the bolt carrier, buffer, buffer tube, and spring. Often, you ended up with a compact but terribly unreliable jamo-matic. After many attempts, you are hard-pressed to find any of these kits for sale today. People just accepted that it could not be done, that you are stuck with the added  7” to 11” inches of the buttstock.

In 2011, the team at LAW Tactical thought differently. The Mod 1 AR-15 folding buttstock adapter was released in 2011, with only a small number being produced. LAW Tactical received positive feedback from the Mod 1 (including some input from the Mad Duo), and immediately listened to their customers, and made a series of improvements.

Law Tactical Folder from F3 Tactical

By November of 2012, they released the MOD 2. Build out of strong, lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum, this hinge mechanism mates with your lower receiver and allows the weapon to be carried condition 1, with a round in the chamber. Because of the design of the AR-15, the weapon cannot function without the buffer assembly in place. If forced to do so, you can fire the chambered round with the stock folded, but it will damage the rear components of the weapon.

The Mod 2 has been used in a series of tests and evaluations by various elite military units and law enforcement entities. A Carbine with a short, 10.5” barrel (or less) and the Law Tactical unit installed will fit a wide array of modern “sneaky” bags currently in production.

Law Tactical Folder on a motor officer's carbine

“In these times motor officers are being more flexibly used. If there is an active shooter call you can almost bet a motorcycle officer will be there first. The ability to have a carbine with us makes the motor officer a force multiplier. A Harley Davidson bag allows for a 10.5 to 11.5 SBR or a larger barrel when fitted with a Law Tactical folder. BMWs have to use an external mount or switch their weapons platform to something like a Heckler & Koch MP7.” Havoc Shooting Solutions

Previously to make use of this low-profile carriage system you needed to separate the upper receiver and lower to store the gun. This obviously makes carrying the weapon in a ready status impossible.  Other advantages include (but are certainly not limited to):

For a sniper team moving into an urban hide, the unit can be installed on an AR-10 .308 to reduce its profile.

For those that work out of vehicles and various airframes, the compact nature is also a big advantage in tight quarters.

For PSD details, undercover law enforcement, and generally non-permissive environments (Travis Haley royalty check goes out tomorrow) the ability to hide a full-size gunfighter’s tool in plain sight is paramount.

For those of us that live in urban areas (or ride a motorcycle) with lots of nosey neighbors, the ability to come and go without a giant range case is important to reduce suspicion or even prevent burglary.

Law Tactical's folding stock adapter

In 2013 the LAW Tactical folding adapter made the list of Brownells best products for the year. Many more awards and accolades (and NSNs and agency contracts) have since followed.

The simple assembly and solid lock-up of the adapter creates a rock-solid stock with standard OEM parts, in the deployed position. Aside from actually shooting the firearm, and potentially adjusting the way you charge the weapon (to avoid busting your knuckle on the hinge), there is little training required to use the system to its full advantage.

This reads as no significant change to how you deploy your weapon or train others to use theirs. 

Since the Mod 2 release in 2012, LAW Tactical has continued to refine the design and will be releasing its Mod 3 variant in the near future. Having improved the overall design, the Mod 3 will feature an improved hinge design, eliminating the potential of injuring your knuckles regardless of how you charge the weapon. Packed full of streamlined features, the Mod 3 will be a welcome to all the users and fans of the Mod 2, as well as those who held off from installing the original due to their ingrained muscle memory.

If you require a smaller profile for your M4, AR-10 or Ar-15, give LAW Tactical a look. You will be impressed with their innovation, quality, and determination to produce hard use, American-made weapon enhancements.

Deploying a rifle equipped with the adapter from an SBR backpack.

Deploying a Law Tactical folder from a concealed carry pack.

The following transcription was is a collation from NSA surveillance transcripts sourced from Nancy’s Squat & Gobble, an exotic dance club and breakfast diner located in a trailer park down on I-44 outside Oklahoma City. ISR assets report an argument first over one-dollar bills, then the need for a folding stock on an AR15, then whether or not there were gym bags at Sochi.

“It’s fucking stupid.” Slim [Subject Jake “Slim” Call]. Words are forcefully stated. Subject opens another beer taken from the Breach-Bang-Clear Team Room apparently to save money for lap dances and an omelette.

“No, it’s not, its fucking cool. You are an idiot.” Swingin’ Dick [Subject Richard “Swingin’ Dick” Kilgore], also opening another beer for himself. He sits at the table with Slim.

“Fuck that noise, folding stocks are pointless. It’s all mall ninja commie bullshit. Why the actual fuck would ANYONE put a folding stock on a M4?” [Slim]

“Because not everyone uses their carbine like YOU Slim. Some people have different missions, requirements and loadouts, and this is for them.” [Swingin’ Dick]

Dick’s explanation seems like it should have been enough, but Slim pushes the issue.

“Yeah? Like what?”  [Slim]

“Ok…if the bad guys are gonna hit a dignitary in broad daylight, on Main Street, and are armed with machine guns, would you want to have a pistol, or a rifle to fight back with?”  [Swingin’ Dick]

Long-distance lenses show Slim giving a blank stare. “They would never do that…”

Shut the fuck up! You know that they have, and will again! What’s your answer?” Swingin’ Dick appears to be losing his temper, is drunk, or both.

“You know my answer, a rifle. They might be wearing armor, and a pistol isn’t enough for that job.”  [Slim]

“Damn right Slim. So you gotta guard the principal in plain clothes. How are you gonna hide your blaster? Even an MK-18 slung under a sports coat is obvious as shit.”  [Swingin’ Dick]

Subject Slim takes a sip of his lager and responds.

“ I don’t know, I guess I’ll just down- gun and go old-school with an MP5K?”

Subject Swingin’ Dick slams his fist on the table. “You just said the dirtbags might be wearing armor? 9mm is only gonna bust some ribs! ”

Subject Slim pushes back.“Well, I guess I’ll  go the PDW route with an MP7 or FN P90!”

Dick grows more frustrated. “You can’t, the armory is out of ammo for those.  The Job is in two days, and the ammo won’t be delivered for another two weeks!  It’s gotta be a 5.56 gun!”

Slim calmly sips his beer, possibly playing the scenario in his mind, possibly attempting to provoke Swingin’ Dick or both. “Ok. Then an SBR M4 in a gym bag.”

Swingin’ Dick jumps out of his chair. Long-distance lenses show his face is livid. “A fucking gym bag? Are you serious? Because a GYM BAG isn’t going to stick out like a sore thumb!”  

Interject – a topless waitress with needle tracks on her arms arrives, places 2 eggs over medium and what is arguably a pork chop in front of Subject Slim. Swingin’ Dick receives chocolate chip pancakes and a shot of tequila.

Dude… it worked on the Sochi PSD mission. Why not?”  [Subject Slim]

A long pause.“ Sochi? You’ve got to be shitting me. It was the FUCKING OLYMPICS! EVERYONE HAD GYM BAGS, YOU IDIOT! [all caps for emphasis]

“Calm down bro, I see where you are going with this, alright? Just cut to the point, and tell me what you think is the right way.”

Telescoping video camera shows a shit-eating grin sweep over Swingin’ Dick’s face as he dunks bacon in his tequila. “Why, I thought you’d never ask.”

September 2015

 

The Law Tactical folder is one of the most popular ways of creating a folding stock AR15 – and was one of the first accessories to do so.

LAW TACTICAL Folder

AR15 Folding Stock Adapter

Nate Murr

The M16-M4-AR-15 is one of the most common family of weapons in the entire world, and definitely America’s go-to rifle. It’s been in continuous production since the 1950s, with no end in sight. Cursed with the stigma of early failures in Vietnam, it took nearly 40 years for the weapon system to truly be trusted and accepted by most Gunfighters. The M4 program and work of USSOCOM have pushed the platform forward into the modern era, and with the expiration of the assault weapons ban in 2004, there is now a great niche sub-industry build entirely around the whole family

With nearly limitless options now available, there is little you can’t do to tailor it to your own specific needs.  Carried by the armed forces, the M16, M4 carbine, Mk-12 sniper rifle, and MK-18 short barrel continue to serve justice and deliver ballistic freedom all over the world. DRMO’d service rifles have been donated to state and local police departments, and more and more cops are being authorized to bring personal AR-15s along on the job. Military and LE users aside, for many people in the vast open countryside an AR-15 is a common “truck gun”; it rests in rear window rifle racks and more discretely under rear seats.

Law-Tactical-folder_Nate-Murr

This Law Tactical folder is currently locked out so the rifle can stand up. It’s easy to see, though, how a folding AR would be easier to manipulate in the tight confines of a vehicle (in fact, many different kinds of vehicles).

For years, companies tried to shorten the weapon and make it more compact. This usually resulted in heavy modifications to the bolt carrier, buffer, buffer tube, and spring. Often, you ended up with a compact but terribly unreliable jamo-matic. After many attempts, you are hard-pressed to find any of these kits for sale today. People just accepted that it could not be done, that you are stuck with the added  7” to 11” inches of the buttstock.

In 2011, the team at LAW Tactical thought differently. The Mod 1 AR-15 folding buttstock adapter was released in 2011, with only a small number being produced. LAW Tactical received positive feedback from the Mod 1 (including some input from the Mad Duo), and immediately listened to their customers, and made a series of improvements.

Law Tactical Folder from F3 Tactical

By November of 2012, they released the MOD 2. Build out of strong, lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum, this hinge mechanism mates with your lower receiver and allows the weapon to be carried condition 1, with a round in the chamber. Because of the design of the AR-15, the weapon cannot function without the buffer assembly in place. If forced to do so, you can fire the chambered round with the stock folded, but it will damage the rear components of the weapon.

The Mod 2 has been used in a series of tests and evaluations by various elite military units and law enforcement entities. A Carbine with a short, 10.5” barrel (or less) and the Law Tactical unit installed will fit a wide array of modern “sneaky” bags currently in production.

Law Tactical Folder on a motor officer's carbine

“In these times motor officers are being more flexibly used. If there is an active shooter call you can almost bet a motorcycle officer will be there first. The ability to have a carbine with us makes the motor officer a force multiplier. A Harley Davidson bag allows for a 10.5 to 11.5 SBR or a larger barrel when fitted with a Law Tactical folder. BMWs have to use an external mount or switch their weapons platform to something like a Heckler & Koch MP7.” Havoc Shooting Solutions

Previously to make use of this low-profile carriage system you needed to separate the upper receiver and lower to store the gun. This obviously makes carrying the weapon in a ready status impossible.  Other advantages include (but are certainly not limited to):

For a sniper team moving into an urban hide, the unit can be installed on an AR-10 .308 to reduce its profile.

For those that work out of vehicles and various airframes, the compact nature is also a big advantage in tight quarters.

For PSD details, undercover law enforcement, and generally non-permissive environments (Travis Haley royalty check goes out tomorrow) the ability to hide a full-size gunfighter’s tool in plain sight is paramount.

For those of us that live in urban areas (or ride a motorcycle) with lots of nosey neighbors, the ability to come and go without a giant range case is important to reduce suspicion or even prevent burglary.

Law Tactical's folding stock adapter

In 2013 the LAW Tactical folding adapter made the list of Brownells best products for the year. Many more awards and accolades (and NSNs and agency contracts) have since followed.

The simple assembly and solid lock-up of the adapter creates a rock-solid stock with standard OEM parts, in the deployed position. Aside from actually shooting the firearm, and potentially adjusting the way you charge the weapon (to avoid busting your knuckle on the hinge), there is little training required to use the system to its full advantage.

This reads as no significant change to how you deploy your weapon or train others to use theirs. 

Since the Mod 2 release in 2012, LAW Tactical has continued to refine the design and will be releasing its Mod 3 variant in the near future. Having improved the overall design, the Mod 3 will feature an improved hinge design, eliminating the potential of injuring your knuckles regardless of how you charge the weapon. Packed full of streamlined features, the Mod 3 will be a welcome to all the users and fans of the Mod 2, as well as those who held off from installing the original due to their ingrained muscle memory.

If you require a smaller profile for your M4, AR-10 or Ar-15, give LAW Tactical a look. You will be impressed with their innovation, quality, and determination to produce hard use, American-made weapon enhancements.

Deploying a rifle equipped with the adapter from an SBR backpack.

Deploying a Law Tactical folder from a concealed carry pack.

The following transcription was is a collation from NSA surveillance transcripts sourced from Nancy’s Squat & Gobble, an exotic dance club and breakfast diner located in a trailer park down on I-44 outside Oklahoma City. ISR assets report an argument first over one-dollar bills, then the need for a folding stock on an AR15, then whether or not there were gym bags at Sochi.

“It’s fucking stupid.” Slim [Subject Jake “Slim” Call]. Words are forcefully stated. Subject opens another beer taken from the Breach-Bang-Clear Team Room apparently to save money for lap dances and an omelette.

“No, it’s not, its fucking cool. You are an idiot.” Swingin’ Dick [Subject Richard “Swingin’ Dick” Kilgore], also opening another beer for himself. He sits at the table with Slim.

“Fuck that noise, folding stocks are pointless. It’s all mall ninja commie bullshit. Why the actual fuck would ANYONE put a folding stock on a M4?” [Slim]

“Because not everyone uses their carbine like YOU Slim. Some people have different missions, requirements and loadouts, and this is for them.” [Swingin’ Dick]

Dick’s explanation seems like it should have been enough, but Slim pushes the issue.

“Yeah? Like what?”  [Slim]

“Ok…if the bad guys are gonna hit a dignitary in broad daylight, on Main Street, and are armed with machine guns, would you want to have a pistol, or a rifle to fight back with?”  [Swingin’ Dick]

Long-distance lenses show Slim giving a blank stare. “They would never do that…”

Shut the fuck up! You know that they have, and will again! What’s your answer?” Swingin’ Dick appears to be losing his temper, is drunk, or both.

“You know my answer, a rifle. They might be wearing armor, and a pistol isn’t enough for that job.”  [Slim]

“Damn right Slim. So you gotta guard the principal in plain clothes. How are you gonna hide your blaster? Even an MK-18 slung under a sports coat is obvious as shit.”  [Swingin’ Dick]

Subject Slim takes a sip of his lager and responds.

“ I don’t know, I guess I’ll just down- gun and go old-school with an MP5K?”

Subject Swingin’ Dick slams his fist on the table. “You just said the dirtbags might be wearing armor? 9mm is only gonna bust some ribs! ”

Subject Slim pushes back.“Well, I guess I’ll  go the PDW route with an MP7 or FN P90!”

Dick grows more frustrated. “You can’t, the armory is out of ammo for those.  The Job is in two days, and the ammo won’t be delivered for another two weeks!  It’s gotta be a 5.56 gun!”

Slim calmly sips his beer, possibly playing the scenario in his mind, possibly attempting to provoke Swingin’ Dick or both. “Ok. Then an SBR M4 in a gym bag.”

Swingin’ Dick jumps out of his chair. Long-distance lenses show his face is livid. “A fucking gym bag? Are you serious? Because a GYM BAG isn’t going to stick out like a sore thumb!”  

Interject – a topless waitress with needle tracks on her arms arrives, places 2 eggs over medium and what is arguably a pork chop in front of Subject Slim. Swingin’ Dick receives chocolate chip pancakes and a shot of tequila.

Dude… it worked on the Sochi PSD mission. Why not?”  [Subject Slim]

A long pause.“ Sochi? You’ve got to be shitting me. It was the FUCKING OLYMPICS! EVERYONE HAD GYM BAGS, YOU IDIOT! [all caps for emphasis]

“Calm down bro, I see where you are going with this, alright? Just cut to the point, and tell me what you think is the right way.”

Telescoping video camera shows a shit-eating grin sweep over Swingin’ Dick’s face as he dunks bacon in his tequila. “Why, I thought you’d never ask.”

 

 

Previous efforts to turn an AR15 into a folding weapon have, for a number of reasons, failed to succeed or catch on. Law Tactical solved that problem with an excellent (and increasingly popular) AR folding stock adapter; now we hear they’ve even improved it.*

*Our review to follow when we’ve had time to do some work with it.

AR folding stock adapter: Law Tactical Mod3

We’re happy to share some news about the newest Law Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter: the Mod 3 has arrived.

The popular LTARFSA (to use the convenient acronym we just made up) has been out for a few years now, and you might recall reading about it here on Breach-Bang-Clear. The adapter has gone through a series of improvements over the years and has remained a high-demand, hard-to-get accessory for the popular AR-15 type rifle. Luckily, we were able to get our hands on a couple of the Mod2s.

Luckier still, we have some good news for you about the upcoming Gen3. 

Law Tactical has squared away some logistic issues as it rapidly grew, and is poised to start cranking out adapters to fill the demand. Fans will be excited to see that the proven adapter will also be an OEM option on several popular production guns, but we aren’t allowed to talk about that just yet! We recently caught up with the company to get the low down on the new, improved Mod 3 Adapter that has started to ship. There are seemingly only small changes, but worth noting. 

Law Tactical's Mod3 AR folding stock adapter

Law Tactical AR folding stock adapter Gen 3-M specs and rundown.

The first change is that the adapter will no longer be coated in the Ceracoat type finish in which it previously was offered. The new finish is a black IonBond DLC coating, which sounds super cool. We have no idea what it was, so we inquired what the new coating is all about. We were informed that IonBonded DLC is a Diamond-Like-Coating at the micron level that’s extremely tough, slick, and corrosion-resistant.

It’s a good choice for the 4140 steel used in the AR folding stock adapter construction, and a hard one to beat for this application. 

The next change is to the Bolt Carrier Extension, which is now slightly longer than the previous one. The Extension is reverse compatible with the older unit, but not vice versa. The benefit to this small change is to take out any play with how the BCG rests on the buffer assembly. Although minor, it’s still an example of how Law Tactical is constantly improving its products. [Note: in the interests of full disclosure, we’re friends with some of those folks. That won’t change our opinion of their products, but you prob’ly ought to know.]

We’d lie to you, but not about gear you might have to fight with.

Law Tactical folder Mod3 on 2 different rifles

The last change of note is to the buffer retaining pin. In the earlier models, the user needed to use the proprietary buffer retaining pin included in the kit. This pin was slightly longer than the standard one inside the unmodified firearm and presented a few issues. If lost or damaged, the user would need to order a replacement from Law Tactical as no other types would work properly with the adapter.

However, Law Tactical has changed the internal dimensions to allow any GI or aftermarket buffer retaining pin to be used. This is great news if you happen to shear the tip off (just the tip) or otherwise damage the part where standard replacement parts are available.

For those currently running the older Gen adapters, don’t worry. Law Tactical will continue to make their proprietary Buffer Retaining Pin available on their website and for unit armorers to keep handy. 

Seemingly minor but actually significant changes have been made to Law's AR folding stock adapter.

We like to see smaller companies grow, and have been tracking Law Tactical’s progress over the years. We are excited about these small but changes, and the increased availability of their products. Stay tuned to Breach-Bang-Clear, we think you’ll want to hear about some future announcements coming later in the year. 

AR folding stock adapter: Law Tactical folder generation M3

Bottom line, this AR folding stock adapter is an outstanding add-on for those who need it — and those who do need it rarely need its benefits explained to them

If you are looking for a way to tuck away a long gun discreetly, in a compact and easily transportable “container” that doesn’t betray what’s inside, this is exactly what you’re looking for. From our experience, this adapter doesn’t create any of the problems that so often come with adding a new moving part to the weapon (which is usually our first hesitation).

We’ve shot the hell out of it and found it to be both rugged and reliable.

Sure, you could eventually bend the steel retaining finger if you keep firing it repeatedly from the folded position (which it will but is not designed to do) but you could also make it rust if you left it for a year in your fish tank, so what the fuck does that prove?

Anyway, several of our minions now have Law’s AR folding stock adapter on their blasters — you should consider joining them.

This Has been SWINGING DICK APPROVED.

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