I have owned Vltors, both original and Emod, Magpul M93B, CTR, and MOE, and the stock.... stocks (A2 and M4). I have shot with an ACE (no idea as to model) and the LMT SOPMOD.
ALL of the stocks but the ACE have pulled the beard, but frankly the ACE was so ungodly uncomfortable, and offered NO improvement over the M4 stock, that I'd rather have the beard pulled. The LMT was probably the least pully of the remaining bunch.
FWIW, if dealing with a complete factory gun, I think the stock is one of the LAST pieces that should be changed out. I see a lot of people running out and buying wonder-this and fantasto-that with no appreciable benefit and without ever really trying the original. 'Bout the only legit complaint with the M4 stock is that it benefits from the addition of a non-slip surface at the butt. Most people that think they need to eliminate the rattle (outside of a perceived need for stealth) would be better served focusing on the shooting and not the stock. I equate worrying about stock rattle to the same mindset that leads to worrying about the front sight post getting in the way when using a red dot sight.
That said, I can be as much of a gear whore as the next guy (as evidenced by my safe), and I do think that if you're building a gun from scratch there may be some merit in a stock like the MOE which doesn't cost much more than the M4. I'm anxious to get my hands on a UBR for my in-progress 6.8 but honestly even I am having a hard time justifying a $250+ stock.
Rob,
I am certain that you know me as one of those people that
really needs stealth. However, as it regards others, I believe that one's shooting involves confidence, and if you are constantly adjusting an uncomfortable stock, gaining a bad cheek weld, or wincing because the rattle just spooked that hog that was 39 yards away on a windless night....well, then your shooting suffers, doesn't it? the stock is what touches your face, your shoulder, and mates your body with the gun, more so than any other part of it. Some guys don't feel right with a stock that doesn't disappear when they shoulder the gun. I think you all know what I mean. I don't want to think about it because it is telling my brain that something is not comfortable, etc. So, don't be too quick to denigrate those that dote on their stocks. It is one of the handlebars of the gun.
If you are a paper or dirt shooter, Rob S's advice about stocks is sound. You are far better off worrying about optics and the barrel quality than the way your stock looks or sounds. If you actually use your gun to shoot animals that can harm you, and if you sneak up on them at night, or you really do need to be quiet because you hunt / stalk with them.........then I think the rattle of any part on your gun is going to be a concern.
Some of you cannot imagine the garish CLANG that even a small metal sling loop makes when you are in a river bottom, sneaking up on deer or hogs with 20 sets of ears, 10 X more acute than yours or mine....especially when there is no wind.
This illustrates how divergent uses of the gun dictate the different configurations which may or may not make sense to the individual. Despite the Space age techno gear that I must use for my guide service, I constantly try to strive for a simplicity in all of it. That is why I like handguards that offer removable rails and very simple stock mechanisms, with NO battery compartments, makeup canisters, Ham radio antennae, or floppy fixtures attached to them.
