Oregon Shooter

Stubby Side-Folder for MP5 (tutorial)

Posted: November 06, 2009 | Last Updated: November 07, 2009

After finishing my AR15 build with a MagPul MOE stock I discovered that I really prefer a shorter Length of Pull (LOP) than either the H&K A2 stock or my Choate side folder would give me. My Ar15 stock rides on the second notch of the six position stock and gives a LOP of 12.5 inches, allowing for a squared-up stance. This is pretty close to the 12" LOP I have on my Remington 870 shotgun which has a Hogue Youth Stock on it, but nowhere near the 14" LOP (standard BTW) that most fixed stocks tend to run on shotguns and carbines.

Until this modification I was going from 12.5" LOP on my AR15 & 12.0" on the Remy 870 to the standard 14" LOP on the H&K A2 stock. While I can't feel the difference between the 12.0"-12.5" LOP, I can definitely feel the shift in position that the 14" LOP that the A2 stock creates. I also notice the tendency to not get up close to the rear sight when using the side folder due to the lack of cheek-weld. By shortening the side-folder I was able to cure that problem also, as the shorter LOP puts your nose right on the back of the receiver as though you were in a "Nose-2-Charging Handle" position on the AR platform.

Choate does have a Tactical Folding Stock out that allows for a shorter LOP and is probably the best bank for buck on a side folder, but I had an old Choate already and didn't want to spend another $150.00+ that and try to unload my current stock at a loss for their "stubby" stock so the following is my solution for a "stubby" stock on my MP5 clone.

Not knowing how the stock was made, gave me pause before cutting into it, but luckily all turned out well in the end. Basically there is a forged rod that the rubber/plastic material is later molded onto that runs the length of the upper bar to the hinge point. So without further ado, here is how I made a "stubby" for my MP5 clone.

STEPS TAKEN

• Measure back from the hinge the distance you want to shorten the stock by and cut in half on band-saw or with hacksaw.


• Remove coating on hinge side by shaving off slabs with vertical band-saw or hacksaw

• Remove 1/4" of coating from stock at cut point to allow for weld.


• Cut hinge piece midway between the hinge flat and the tapered rod, allowing a shelf for your weld to work into.


• Tack weld around, taking care not to over heat.
  Good thing we are gonna cover those welds!


• Cool in water, clean welds up.

• Fill gap with JB Weld (I used CRC Minute Mend, aka "Pig-Putty")

• Let filler harden, then sand to match stock profile.(not pictured)
  NOTE: Make sure you are happy with your blending job before painting. Paint does not fill in blems!


• Spray with Plasti-Dip (5 coatings in my case) per instructions.

Wala! You now have a new nice looking stubby stock folder for your MP5 clone.

Below you can see that the LOP is about 12.5" on both the AR15 and MP5 clone.

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