If you’re looking to get a smoother and more accurate experience out of your AR-10, then a new stock is one way to achieve that. When it comes to shooting performance, the stock might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, it plays a significant role in your firearm. A well-built AR-10 stock may do wonders for an AR-10’s ability to perform at its full potential.

Searching for the best AR-10 stocks in a market flooded with so many options can get overwhelming. Fortunately, we’ve put together everything you need to help you find the best AR-10 stocks for your builds. Now, let’s get started.

The 3 Best AR-10 Stocks for 2022

Best budget pick	Luth AR-15 Modular Stock Assy Fixed Rifle Length	Ambidextrous modular stock Beginner-friendly installation Handles recoil well Does not fit carbine buffer	$132 Shop NowClick to read my review
Top Pick	Magpul AR-15/308 AR PRS Gen 3 Precision Stock	Quick tool-less adjustability Easy installation Anodized aluminum for maximum durability and resistance to surface wear Heavy fro a lightweight build	$242 Shop NowClick to read my review
Best Value	Double Star AR-15 SOCOM Collapsible Stock	Comfortable foam cheek weld Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum billet for maximum durability Ambidextrous sling shot Fixed cheek rest	$235 Shop NowClick to read my review
Special Mention	Mission First Tactical (MFT) Battlelink Minimalist Stock Mil Spec	Affordable Super lightweight minimalist design Easily optimizable to meet any scenario The lack of weight makes your AR feel unbalanaced	$50 Shop NowClick to read my review

Should You Go With A Fixed or Adjustable Stock?

There are two basic kinds of stocks available for the AR platform: fixed stocks and adjustable stocks. The original AR-10 came with fixed stocks that are now considered retro. However, adjustable stocks were later introduced for tactical use and the civilian market.

A fixed stock, as the name would suggest, is a stock that comes exactly as it is. There are no mechanical parts or any other bells and whistles. The advantage to this system is that there’s nothing on the stock that will shift around or suddenly poke out and bother you while you’re shooting.

Theoretically, the lack of mechanical parts should mean that a fixed stock is more dependable and a lot more durable than an adjustable stock. However, you don’t get the same personalization with a fixed stock that you do with an adjustable stock. This means that if the length of pull on your stock is not suitable for you, then you’re pretty much left with no other option than to buy a new stock.

This might not be a problem if you’re using an adjustable stock. Although not as durable as a fixed stock, you have the ability to personalize an adjustable stock that’s ergonomically suitable for your shooting position. It’s also a lot easier to travel with since you can easily shorten an adjustable stock to save space and for better storage.

The Thing About Folding Stocks…

Although you might run into some folding stocks when looking for an AR-10 stock for your build, we won’t talk about it much in this article. Folding stocks are not as popular as fixed or adjustable stocks. Instead, they’re an upcoming new trend in the AR community.

Although great for traveling and storage, there’s not much inherent advantage to a folding AR rifle. Not only will you need a specialized adaptor to work since you have to deal with the buffer tube, but in some instances, it can even negatively affect the performance of your rifle. Also, depending on your State’s law, it might not even be legal to own. However, if you’re still interested in learning more about folding ARs, we have an entire article dedicated to this topic.

Buyer’s Guide for the Best AR-10 Stocks

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the most critical feature to look for in a stock as having poor ergonomics means an uncomfortable shooting experience. Additionally, ergonomics isn’t just about how comfortable or difficult it is for you to pull the trigger. It’s about how the stock conforms to your unique natural body features. It also includes surface texture, cheek position, pull lengths, whether or not your stock helps dampen recoil. They’re all by-products of a well-made ergonomic stock.

Because each person’s body is unique, the only way to tell whether a stock is ergonomically correct is to buy it and try it out. This implies that if you’re purchasing online, you’ll need to look for a company that offers a stock with a wide range of customizable options.

Texturing

Texturing is what gives the stock the friction you need to shoot your firearm comfortably and safely. When shooting your rifle, you should always keep in mind that your firing arm, shoulder, and cheek are the three major points of contact between you and your rifle. You should be able to lay your cheek on a stock and push it into your shoulder without it sliding off.

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Durability

Most AR stocks are composed of aluminum, fiberglass, or a high-grade composite polymer. They all have their pros and cons but these three materials are what manufacturers typically use to make a durable and lightweight stock. Wooden stocks for AR-style rifles are also available if you’re going for a more retro look, but are usually very rare. Wood stocks also require a lot of maintenance, will swell from excessive moisture and are typically have so they may not be a good option for you.

Cheek Positioning

A stock should naturally rest your cheeks on the stock when in a shooting position. To aim and shoot properly, there should be very little drop from the optics of your gun to your cheek rest on the stock. We do this so you don’t have to keep your head high or at an odd angle. Controlling how your cheek rests on the stock will allow you to shoot more comfortably in various shooting positions. Purchase a stock with adjustable cheek risers for improved performance and a more ergonomic feel.

Length of Pull

The length of pull is the distance between the trigger of your AR-10 and the end of the stock pressed against your shoulder. Finding a stock that will provide a comfortable length of pull for you will depend on your size, arm length, and personal preference. Again, experimenting with different options here is key. However, in general, people just opt for an adjustable stock for extra customization.

Weight

Your rifle’s stock should not add a significant amount of weight. At the same time, you want to keep a balanced weight distribution on your AR-10. An AR-10 that weighs about 1.5lbs should do well. However, the best AR-10 stocks for you still depend on your preferred shooting position and personal preference. It’s best to experiment with various rifle stocks to find one that feels good to carry with.

BONUS: Extra Storage Space

You might run into aftermarket stocks that offer little compartment. It’s a good place to tuck in a tiny first aid kit, torch, survival kit, money, anything you can imagine as long as it fits. Just remember that it’s one of those things that’s just nice to have. It doesn’t do anything to improve your shooting performance.

Top 3 Best AR-10 Stocks for 2022 

Luth AR-15 Modular Stock Assy Fixed Rifle Length: Best budget pick.

The Luth AR-15 Modular Stock is a good alternative if you’re looking for a sturdy and ergonomic AR-10 stock that won’t break the bank. The Luth AR-15 Modular stock is made of high-grade glass-filled nylon. It can also fit any standard A1/A2 buffer tube, making it ideal for .308 AR rifle types.

The stock’s large form factor and skeleton design provide a stand-out futuristic look while keeping it lightweight weighing in at only 11 ounces. It also features an ambidextrous design with a decent adjustable cheek rest and an adjustable length of pull. Its rear rubber recoil pad works impressively well at effectively absorbing heavy recoil.

Additionally, the rear footprints are made of a high-quality textured rubber. This helps keep your rifle secured to your shoulder for an over better and more accurate shooting experience.

The Luth Modular Stock will be a good pick for your AR-10 comes in two colors, black and flat dark earth. It also ships with an Allan wrench for quick and beginner-friendly installation.

The modular design will also help you find the most ergonomic stock settings for you. However, just note that this stock will not fit on carbine buffer tubes.

Magpul AR-15/308 AR PRS Gen 3 Precision Stock: Best overall.

If you’re new to the world or ARs, it’s impossible to look for AR parts without running into Magpul. It’s one of the biggest names in the AR world as they’re known to make good quality consistently, reliable aftermarket AR parts. And the Magpul AR-15/308 AR PRS Gen 3 Precision Stock is no exception.

Considered the gold standard for AR stocks, this is a purpose-built high-quality rifle stock with a lightweight, aluminum alloy construction finished with hard coat anodizing. It mounts to any rifle-length receiver extension tube without an A2 spacer. It can accommodate mil-spec-sized M4 Carbine and many A5-length tubes. Make sure to add aftermarket Castle Nuts and End Plates to make them compatible.

The length of pull and cheek rest adjustment are tool-less, so adjustments can be made quickly and easily on the field without the need for special tools. Magpul uses aluminum detent knobs to secure the cheek rest and your length of pull.

You have an adjustable cant and rubber butt plate towards the rear of the stock, which is excellent for finding your perfect shooting position. This Magpul AR stock’s butt-plate alone is also highly durable, able to withstand heavy impact, and rated to handle .50 BMG rounds.

Magpul completes this stock with a front and rear rotation-limited QD swivel mount for sling attachments. There are also M-Lok slots for additional sling mounts of other accessories, and if that’s still not enough, you can add a 1913 Picatinny rail as well.

Of course, with so much going on with this AR stock, you can expect to see a price tag to match. However, I find that it’s still a great bang for your buck option with its quality and function.

Double Star AR-15 SOCOM Collapsible Stock: Best value pick.

The Double Star AR-15 SOCOM Collapsible Stock is as light, durable, and easy to install stock for your AR. Built out of heat-treated, aircraft-grade aluminum and coated with a Mil-Spec hard-anodized finish, the Double Star AR-15 SOCOM is ready to take a beating.

Thanks to the Double Star’s quick-release button, you can easily switch and choose from five different stock length positions. But if that’s not your style, then you can always replace the quick-release buttons with the included machine screws for a more solid, fixed stock.

The stock’s tube is coated with black soft foam for a comfortable cheekweld. The textured rubber pad at the end of the stock helps to absorb recoil while fixing the stock to your shoulder while shooting. It also features three ambidextrous attachment points for HK-style slings and a machined-in hammer at the end of the but for breaching and hand-to-hand combat.

Special Mention: Mission First Tactical (MFT) Battlelink Minimalist Stock Mil Spec

Marketed as the lightest stock on the market, the MFT Battlelink Minimalist Stock is a mil-spec built collapsible stock that promises affordability and ease of carry. If you need a sturdy stock for your AR-10 without the unnecessary weight, Battlelink’s stock won’t disappoint you. 

Weighing in at a measly 6oz. this stock is just about as light as they get. It’s made from a super-strong, military-grade, reinforced polyamide material, giving it the durability required to handle the recoil from large AR-10 rounds. The stock is also designed to fit with any mil-spec buffer tube, so compatibility should not be an issue.

Battlelink features this as a bare modular stock that can adapt to specific scenarios as you see fit. The versatility of the stock’s design isn’t on what comes in the box, but all the accessories that can be added to it to fit situational needs.

So, depending on your field scenario, you’ll have to buy compatible aftermarket accessories to make this stock more ergonomic and work for your mission.

Our Pick

Magpul is one of the big names in the AR world for a reason and is an obvious choice for an ergonomic, flexible, reliable, and durable stock. The Magpul PRS Gen 3 Precision stock’s drop-in design makes installation simple, and the tool-less detent knobs make adjusting out on the field very easy. Additionally, the rubber pad on the end helps to absorb recoil, and the aluminum build ensures it can sustain a lot of abuse and continue to work well. It might break your budget, but we highly recommend this bang-for-your-buck AR-10 stock.

Wrapping Up

A new stock is one of the best ways to improve the ergonomics of your rifle. If you’re having problems with shooting your AR-10 right now or if you aren’t enjoying it as much as you think you should, try getting a new stock and see what happens.

Any one of the AR-10 stocks listed above will make an excellent upgrade whether you’re building an AR-10 from scratch or replacing your standard AR-10. If you end up going a different route, you can always follow our buyer’s guide to help you find the best AR-10 stocks for your firearms.

A few reminders before you go. The easiest way to avoid compatibility issues with AR-10 stocks is to check the type of buffer tube you have on your current firearm and see if it’s compatible with the stock you’re planning on getting. It will suck to spend a few hundred on the most adjustable, ergonomic AR-10 stock only to find out it’s not compatible with your set-up.

Related Reads:

• Best AR-10 Barrels: Complete Buyer’s Guide for 2022
• The Best AR Stocks [Adjustable Fixed & Precision] 2022 Guide
• Best AR-10 Triggers