Folding stocks. Why?

[Tim_WNC]

My Tikka Tac A1 came with a folding stock.

When folded, to me, it seems too thick and bulky to sling comfortably. Also seems kinda awkward in the pelican case.

What’s the point? Do any of y’all actually find benefit to a folder?

 

[bourbonbent]

Yes. Makes cleaning easier, transport out of a case more compact/easy, and it fits on a pack better folded. I don’t sling it folded or put it in a case folded.

 

[Basher]

See above. For AIs at least, it makes cleaning easier. No need to remove the cheek riser to get the bolt out. For me, that was the primary reason.

 

[gnochi]

My rifle is 52” long and the inside of my case is 50” long. I don’t actually have a folder - I unbolt the buttstock from chassis instead - but I imagine it’d make transportation and storage easier.

 

[Sogan]

See above. For AIs at least, it makes cleaning easier. No need to remove the cheek riser to get the bolt out. For me, that was the primary reason.

Main reason for me

 

[Baer45]

I bought a new custom MBA Chasis through SAC to see what all the excitement was about. It has a 26” barrel in 6XC. But it is a pain putting it in the car or walking around the range. Next time, I’m back to a folder. O yea, add an Ultra 9 suppressor to it and we are talking bulky.../

 

[W54/XM-388]

On the AI platform the primary reason is so you can pull the bolt quickly.
It makes a huge difference.

The other advantage is being able to put it in the trunk of a car.
If you have a full length AI with a barrel going on 26" to 30", having the folder becomes a big deal to make transport easier.

When folded, to me, it seems too thick and bulky to sling comfortably. Also seems kinda awkward in the pelican case.

That is where the newer AX / AXMC and similar rifles like the Cadex and such shine.
The folder folds towards the bolt so that you have a nice smooth line to sling it in on your back and then you can carry a long rifle without it going too far below your waist. The older design where the stock folds away from the bolt does make carrying it on your back folded a bit of a pain.

 

[GIXXER2000]

4 of the 6 precision rifles I have are folding stocks. I find them much easier to clean as already mentioned. When storing in the safe with some of the barrels being 32 in they are to long and hit the shelf above so a fold stock is a must.

 

[bourbonbent]

@W54/XM-388 touched on a point I forgot.

The right folding part is awesome.

 

[atepointer]

My Tikka Tac A1 came with a folding stock.

When folded, to me, it seems too thick and bulky to sling comfortably. Also seems kinda awkward in the pelican case.

What’s the point? Do any of y’all actually find benefit to a folder?

I love it b/c I can leave the can on my 24" barrel and put it in a soft case folded easy peezey. No waiting around with hot can to remove just leave an oven mitt in end of Cabelas case, remove bolt and zoom I'm on the road. I do not like big bulky hard cases

 

[Tim_WNC]

Thanks all

 

[Fishin6061]

Cleaning and transport with a can.

 

[Geno C.]

@W54/XM-388 touched on a point I forgot.

The right folding part is awesome.

View attachment 7104142

Mini vortex bolt handle?

 

[bourbonbent]

Mini vortex bolt handle?

ZAI/Bighorn’s “Spiral” bolt knob. I like it a LOT better than the one that shipped with the TL3.

 

[BurnOut]

When I first got a setup with a folding stock, I had mental images of using it to make storage and transportation easier.

In actuality, the most useful function, for me (by FAR), has been (as others have mentioned) cleaning. I don't have to dick around with trying to recreate my cheek rest height.

 

[Steel head]

Easy cleaning and being able to use short AR bags is nice.

 

[sako17]

You can take off the Folding stock if you don't like it. you can also put it back whenever...

 

[missed]

Manuvering in cab of vehicle or Side by side is much easier also.

 

[Laseredge]

 

[Steel head]

View attachment 7105063View attachment 7105064

What pack is that.
I like it!

 

[Laseredge]

What pack is that.
I like it!

It is an Arcteryx Khard 60. Not made anymore, but you can still find them for sale.

 

[1moaoff]

Cleaning and transporting are the biggest advantages

 

[Tim_WNC]

What's this "cleaning" y'all keep going on about?

 

[bschneiderheinze]

30” barrel

 

[Matthew488]

My rifle is 65" long, 54" with stock folded. To find a case long enough to fit it without a folder would be really expensive and more difficult to transport. Also to fit in the safe.

 

[Novak77]

From a civilian standpoint trunk space and ease of cleaning. From a Mil standpoint it makes jumping in and out of humvees, tracks, mraps, helicopters, 130s etc a hell of a lot easier. Realestate in a humvee or track starts to run out real quick.

 

[CATM15]

I bought a KRG W3 Folder for the portability and cleaning aspect. I hate moving the cheek piece down and out of place to remove the bolt. Also I have a 24” barrel with a 7.5” suppressor. It’s long to say the least.

 

[HogsLife]

Because folding barrels don’t work very good...

 

[Racer88]

With the Ruger Precision Rifle, you HAVE to fold the stock to remove the bolt.

 

[65shootmoor]

I added a folding stock specifically for transport. Had a canvas case I really like that was too short until adding it. Also makes removing bolt and cleaning a snap.

 

[Johnny Crash]

I see all the reasons and agree but there’s just something I don’t like about a traditional style stock that folds. The chassis systems that are all the rage now, I don’t mind.

I typically leave my rifles in manners stocks sit on the bipod and stock when I’m cleaning them. I don’t mind the 10 seconds and one allen bolt required to remove the cheek rest.

At some point in the near future I’ll have One of the AI multi-cal systems, maybe then I’ll understand.

 

[Johnny Crash]

Because folding barrels don’t work very good...

Have you tried......

 

[65shootmoor]

I agree with you, don't care for the looks either. I only got one so an expensive bag I have wasn't useless.

 

[HogsLife]

Have you tried......

Lol of course bro. And I’ll tell you this much, if you think a hinge on traditional stocks look like shit, wait til you see a barrel with a hinge on it.....

 

[Johnny Crash]

Lol of course bro. And I’ll tell you this much, if you think a hinge on traditional stocks look like shit, wait til you see a barrel with a hinge on it.....

???

yeah. Didn’t think about that. I’d say you’re right.

 

[Taylor4862]

Another advantage is that you can have it in line with the barrel and action (think Ruger Precision Rifles), keeping recoil in line with the shooter, along with some secondary benefits like not having to worry about smacking yourself in the face with your bolt and breaking cheek weld as cycles inside the stock, and being able to mount your scope lower and keep the whole system slightly lower profile.