Short answer: for most builds the Magpul MOE SL is the best AR-15 stock: slim, 9.3 oz, adjusts 3.3 inches and fits any mil-spec tube. Want the cheapest good stock? The Magpul MOE (8.4 oz). Want the classic? The Magpul CTR (8.9 oz). For a SOPMOD stock with storage, the B5 Systems Enhanced SOPMOD (12.2 oz); for a lighter one without storage, the B5 Bravo (9.3 oz). For a precision rifle, the Magpul PRS Gen3 adjusts both length of pull and cheek height. Check your buffer tube size first: every stock below is the mil-spec version.
AR-15 stocks compared: weight and length of pull
| Stock | Weight (stock only) | Length of pull | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magpul MOE SL | 9.3 oz | 10.9 to 14.2 in | Slim stock with push-button QD sling mount and a sling loop | Most builds |
| Magpul CTR | 8.9 oz | 10.3 to 13.6 in | The classic A-frame; shielded latch and a friction lock to cut wobble | Classic carbines |
| Magpul MOE | 8.4 oz | 10.3 to 13.6 in | Like the CTR; Magpul calls it a fit for a no-frills build | Budget builds |
| Magpul MOE SL-K | 7.8 oz | 10.4 to 13.7 in | Short PDW-style stock, 6.6 in long | Compact and lightweight rifles |
| B5 Systems Bravo | 9.3 oz | Not listed | SOPMOD cheek weld without the storage; angled rear | SOPMOD look, lighter |
| B5 Systems Enhanced SOPMOD | 12.2 oz | Not listed | Two water-resistant storage compartments, steel QD mounts | Storage and a wide cheek weld |
| BCM Mod 0 SOPMOD (widebody) | Not listed | Not listed | Widebody polymer stock with two kinds of ambidextrous sling mounts | Widebody, value |
| Magpul PRS Gen3 | 27.8 oz | Tool-free length and cheek-height adjustment | Machined aluminum adjusters; fits rifle-length and many carbine tubes | Precision rifles |
Figures are from Magpul and B5 Systems product pages, read October 2026, for the stock alone. Magpul's weights with a receiver extension are about 3.8 oz higher.
Our picks
Best overall: Magpul MOE SL
Magpul calls it its flagship slim stock. It weighs 9.3 oz, adjusts through 3.3 inches of length of pull and has a push-button QD swivel mount (swivels up to 1.5 inches) plus a 1.25 inch sling loop. It fits mil-spec carbine receiver extensions and is listed for AR-15/M4 and AR-10/SR25/M110 builds.
Best budget: Magpul MOE, and the classic CTR
The MOE (8.4 oz) is Magpul's no-frills carbine stock, and the CTR (8.9 oz) is the iconic A-frame it is modelled on. The CTR adds a shielded release latch and a supplemental friction lock that reduces wobble, and it accepts Magpul's snap-on cheek risers. Both adjust 3.3 inches.
Best SOPMOD stock: B5 Systems Enhanced SOPMOD and Bravo
B5 describes its Enhanced SOPMOD as a refinement of the Crane NSWC SOPMOD buttstock. It weighs 12.2 oz and has two water-resistant storage compartments, steel anti-rotation QD mounts and a cushioned buttpad with a built-in tool holder. The Bravo keeps the cheek weld and QD mount but drops the storage: 9.3 oz and a slimmer, angled rear. Both fit mil-spec carbine receiver extensions. Bravo Company's Mod 0 SOPMOD is a widebody alternative, and BCM describes it as the strongest lightweight polymer stock for a mil-spec extension.
Lightest: Magpul MOE SL-K
At 7.8 oz and 6.6 inches long, the SL-K is a PDW-style stock for compact or lightweight rifles. Skeleton and fixed stocks are a different category; see our buffer tube guide for what fits what.
Best for precision: Magpul PRS Gen3
The PRS Gen3 weighs 27.8 oz, with machined aluminum knobs that adjust length of pull and cheek height without tools. It is optimized for rifle-length receiver extensions and mounts to many mil-spec carbine and A5-length tubes too.
Magpul stocks, with today's prices
Lowest price across the stores we track:
Magpul MOE SL carbine stock
Pros
- Slim 9.3 oz stock
- Push-button QD sling mount
Cons
- Costs more than the plain MOE
Best overall
Magpul CTR carbine stock
Pros
- The classic A-frame, 8.9 oz
- Friction lock cuts wobble
Cons
- Plainer than the MOE SL
Classic
Magpul MOE carbine stock
Pros
- 8.4 oz, no-frills
- Low price
Cons
- Fewer sling options
Best budget
Magpul MOE SL-K carbine stock
Pros
- 7.8 oz, 6.6 in long
- PDW-style compact stock
Cons
- Short length of pull
Lightest
SOPMOD and precision stocks, with today's prices
B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo stock
Pros
- 9.3 oz, SOPMOD cheek weld
- No storage, slimmer
Cons
- No storage compartments
SOPMOD, lighter
B5 Systems Enhanced SOPMOD stock
Pros
- 12.2 oz with two storage compartments
- Steel QD mounts
Cons
- Heaviest of the SOPMODs
SOPMOD with storage
BCM Mod 0 SOPMOD widebody stock
Pros
- Widebody cheek weld
- Two kinds of ambi sling mounts
Cons
- BCM lists no weight
Widebody value
Magpul PRS Gen3 precision stock
Pros
- Tool-free length and cheek-height adjustment
- Rifle-length tube fit
Cons
- 27.8 oz, the heaviest here
Precision
How to choose an AR-15 stock
- Tube first. Mil-spec and commercial buffer tubes differ in diameter, and a stock made for one will not fit the other. Our mil-spec vs commercial guide explains how to tell, and the stocks above are the mil-spec versions.
- Length of pull. The Magpul stocks adjust 3.3 inches; the longer the stock extended, the more weight on the shoulder and the further the support hand reaches. Body armor or a thick jacket shortens what you need.
- Weight. A lighter stock moves the balance forward; a heavier one can balance a long barrel. See our buffer weights guide if you change the buffer too.
- Cheek weld and sling points. Wide stocks and cheek risers help with optics; QD mounts and sling loops decide how you carry.
- Pistol builds. A stock on a pistol with a short barrel makes it a short-barreled rifle; see how to build an AR pistol.
Compare every AR-15 stock by price, check buffer tubes, and plan the rifle in the AR-15 builder. See also our accessories checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AR-15 stock?
For most builds, the Magpul MOE SL: slim, 9.3 oz and adjustable through 3.3 inches. The MOE is the budget choice and the B5 Enhanced SOPMOD is the best with storage.
What is a SOPMOD stock?
A stock based on the Crane NSWC SOPMOD buttstock design, with a wide cheek weld. B5 Systems' Enhanced SOPMOD adds two water-resistant storage compartments; its Bravo drops them.
What is the lightest adjustable AR-15 stock?
Of the stocks here, the Magpul MOE SL-K at 7.8 oz.
Will any stock fit my AR-15?
Only if it matches your buffer tube. A mil-spec stock needs a mil-spec tube. See our buffer tube guide.
How much does a Magpul MOE SL weigh?
9.3 oz alone, about 13.1 oz with a receiver extension, according to Magpul.
What stock is best for a precision AR-15?
The Magpul PRS Gen3, which adjusts length of pull and cheek height without tools and is made for rifle-length extensions.
