M14 Forum

Charlene32

i have always wanted to get a side folder of some kind. i just found this custom DIY stock. it already had a camo paint job on it. i put my 22" rifle in there at first, but it matches the paint job on my 18" nicely. makes for a nice compact package for when i hike rough terrain when i hunt.








i really like the grip that was used in making this stock. when my 18" scout is in it, it measures 29" folded.

there is slight wobble in the buttstock that is not noticeable when holding it. it may be noticeable in my groupings though, upon firing it. i didnt really get this stock for bench shooting accuracy though.

Middkid

Nice lookin' rig :)

Bamban

Nice looking rig.

Lazerus2000

Nice looking folder and VERY nice Camo job.

It looks like the folder part was from one of the ATI plastic folders ...
the older ATI folder,
before they added the AR 15 slider type tube arrangement.

I have been building my own version of an M14 side folder for several years,
and have posted do it yourself instructions on my site;
http://www.members.shaw.ca/lazerus2000/m14.htm

I prefer the metal side folders from Butler Creek for my M14 folders because they are metal, don't flex, and the B/C folders lock up TIGHT. On my personal side folder M14, which was built about ten years ago, the stock sill locks up tight even after years of shooting.

I much prefer a side folder on a shorty M14 than an AR 15 sliding adjustable stock,
but YPMMV. Many others like the sliding stocks.

PS: My original M14 side folders were made with the CHOATE folders, but years ago I switched to Butler Creek because the Choate stocks seemed to have gone down in quality, and didn't lock up as tight as they used to.

Enjoy your new toy,
and tell us how it shoots???

TTFN
LAZ 1
[;)

Charlene32

here is an update with a better pic in the light. my question goes out to those who use sidefolders (like you Lazarus). i want to know what to expect in terms of accuracy. the stock does have slight wobble, although i shot two rounds out of it today and it felt great. the absence of a cheek weld did not bother me, but until i proof the rifle on paper i will not know if the folder will be worth it.

here is a pic of my rifle in the new sidefolder and a pic of my rifle in the Vltor stock (which shoots nice, but does not have the compact luxury of the folder). i guess i need advise if i should make the switch to the folder.

Middkid

I was attracted to the folder for both compactness, and the pistol grip feature.
I found that adding a scope and mount bites into compactness a bunch (same with bipod).
Now I have a scope for my folder (1-4X) zeroed on a Bassett mount which fits into a separate pouch along with a bipod.
Sounds like you will have to shoot it some to answer the wobble/accuracy issue.
Middkid

* I found that H20 Man's EBR trigger shoe was a big improvement.

Lazerus2000

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This is a very astute and clever posting
[ I say astute and clever because it agrees closely with my experience and my opinions regarding the M14 shorty rifles].

If you want a folder on your 14,
for best balance and handling, you probably want a shortified 14,
of which I have built and shot dozens and DOZENS!!.

Do you want a light, fast handling M14 shorty with a folder, ,
optimised for CQB[ about as much as you can optimise a 7.62 NATO powered device for CQB ]
or do you want the ultimate in M14 accuracy,
aka a Designated Marksman/Sniper rifle??

If you want both ....
well that will cost EXTRA!!!

MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT A BULL PUP M14 STOCK,
like the Rogue???

If Canuckistan's stupid gun laws didn't prohibit bull pup stocks, my personal M14 rifles and shorties would all long ago have been modified into bull pups.
[;(

A few of the shorties I've built demonstrated SUPERB inherent accuracy ... with a scope and in a SOLID stock. So a short barreled M14 CAN be as accurate as you could want. But a sloppy/wobbly folding or sliding stock is not usually going to enable you to extract the maximum inherent accuracy of the rifle.

I have hit five for five, off hand, on an oxygen cylinder [ 12" x 36" ] hanging at 335 yds, as fast as I can acquire a good sight picture and squeeeeeze. And in prone, slow fire, I can consistently shoot 2" - 2 1/2" with my shorty. Is that good enough??

My Butler Creek side folder M14 stock is RIGID, but the smaller diameter top tube of the folder creates a lack of a proper cheek weld, which can't help ultimate accuracy. On the EBR alloy M14 stock I am protoyping right now, we are using AR 15 compatible butt stocks. Right now we have an AR 15 Carbine type sliding stock on the back of this M14, but it too WOBBLES. I hate all of the AR 15 sliding stocks I've ever used.
My AR10 and my shorty short AR15 both have FIXED stocks.



Eventually, we will have our own proprietary HEAVY DUTY SIDE FOLDER THAT FITS ON THE BACK OF OUR ALLOY M 14 STOCK. TILL THEN, MY GOOD OLD BUTLER CREEK SIDE FOLDER WILL DO JUST FINE.

I also experiment with various sights for the M14 on a regular basis [ I design scope mounts and red dot mounts for the 14 ]. A scope will usually sit too high for a proper cheek weld, but I build my side folders high enough to compensate for this. With my folder, I can personally use both IRON sights and a scope, but neither has a perfect cheek weld for me. Some other shooters can't get down low enough on my folder to use the irons.
Depending on face shape and cheek bones, YPMMV.

After trying lots of other variations, I now prefer a small low powered variable scope on my 14 shorties, mounted in my own CASM GEN 11 scope mount, which has a hole in the back for use as a rudimentary rear peep sight [ BUIS ]. My regular shooting buddies, with M14 shorties I've built for them, prefer a Micro red dot sight mounted lower on the CASM MRD mount.


One of them even prefers the AR 15 slider type butts stock on his shorty. All of us GREATLY prefer a pistol grip on our M14 shorty stocks. We find the pistol grip greatly enhances the ergonomics, recoil control, and fast handling of the shorty 14s on quick shooting.
Once agin, YPMMV.

hope this helps,
LAZ 1
[;)

Charlene32

thanks guys. thank you both. that was much needed feedback and advise. thanks.