Gear Review: Law Tactical Folding AR Stock Adapter

January 30, 2015

I’m one of the many Americans who take an AR just about everywhere. Like the thousands of servicemen who kept a .30-06 around after the wars of the first half of the 1900s, I am knowledgeable, functional, and trusting of my service rifle platform. So I usually have one in my truck. Part of the reason is that I spend a good amount of time driving in some very remote areas, and part of that is because of feral hogs. I have my own personal jihad against the tasty invaders . . .

But that means I hunt out of a truck quite often, and that invariably when I travel I take my AR out of my truck and into a hotel lobby. Of course, it’s always in a bag, as discrete as possible, but I get asked if it’s a gun quite often. Even when it was in a guitar case. And I’m really don’t want the attention. So I’m always looking for anything that will allow me to collapse the weapon and conceal it as much as possible.

Enter the Law Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter. I picked one up at the SHOT Show. They run a little over $200. Looking at it, I have to say, that seems like a hell of a lot of money for two inches of steel, but I’m willing to give it a try.

The set-up is pretty simple, and you can probably do it yourself no problem, but you are going to need an armorer’s wrench. For me, I usually break anything I touch the first time, so given the price point I decided to get some adult supervision and headed over to Underground Tactical Arms.

I chose to install it on my Underground Tactical 6.8SPC, mostly because it’s the gun I use to hunt the most, but also because if the BATF smiles upon me and completes the processing on my Form 1, I will be able to complete my 10.5 .458 SOCOM upper and this is the lower I’ll put it on.

First things first. Read the instructions. But ignore the very first thing you will likely see, the little asterisks that tell you not to disassemble the parts, because step one in the instrcutions is disassemble the parts. Read the instructions fully and you will save yourself a little confusion as things go. That said, the install was pretty straightforward. As long as you have an armorer’s wrench and a hex set, there’s no problem at all.

Unless there is. After the install, mine just didn’t lock closed. Upon closer inspection, a slight amount of filing needed to be done on the attachment of the latch.

It wasn’t much work at all, but frankly if I wasn’t at Underground and they didn’t figure out exactly what was wrong, I probably wouldn’t have on my own. And really, at this price point for some relatively simple machining and very minimal parts costs, it ought to work right out of the box. However, I understand that not all lowers are made the same. If the specs really are that different from one lower to the next, they should at least provide instructions on troubleshooting for problems.

After a little filing, it locked up tight and unlocked without issue. However, the unlock button itself is too small and is pretty difficult to get unlocked with gloves on. Enlarging it and serrating the top would take care of the problem, and I’ll likely take a file to it to serrate it myself.

In this photo you can see the button protruding on the far right. Once the device is closed, there isn’t much space for your digit.

After installation, I took it out to the range and put 20 rounds through it fast fire and another 20 through it for accuracy. Zero malfunctions and no discernible difference in accuracy. The gun shot 3/4″ groups at 100 yards with handloaded 110gr Nosler Balistic Tip pills and it still does. Without gloves, I can hit the button easy enough and swing it open or closed in a jiffy.

Note that that it’s going to add to your length of pull, so if you are planning on putting this on a fixed stock like a Magpul PRS, that may be an issue. Also, I just added another step to my cleaning process, as the bolt extension has to be removed now. But that requires no tools and pops right in and out. Also, if you like a single point sling, you are going to have to do that with a quick detach from the bottom, your sides are now taken up.

All in all, a good piece of hardware that works as advertised. Folded up with a 10.5″ barrel, it will fit inside a backpack without further modification or takedown, and take up a lot less space in the truck.

Specifications:

Composition: 4140 steel
Compatibility: gas piston or direct impingement rifles
Weight: 8.5 oz. (plus 2.125 oz. for bolt carrier extension)
Length: Adds 1.3″ to length of pull
Price: $219.99

Ratings (out of five stars):

Ease of Installation * * *
Other than the slight filing and the confusion on the assemble vs. disassemble the parts, install was straightforward. But without any troubleshooting section in the instructions it leaves you needing to figure what’s wrong and fix it on your own.

Function and reliability * * * *
The release button is a little small and really should be serrated. Other than that, I have no complaints at all. Zero change in accuracy or function of the weapon, and the stock folks and unfolds with ease. Works as advertised.

Value * * *
It’s hard for me to justify that this is over $200 worth of steel and expertise, but I can’t find a better solutions out there.

Overall * * * *
If you need your stock to fold with minimal changes to your AR, this a great solution.

71 COMMENTS

kevin January 30, 2015 At 15:06

What, may I ask, would happen if you fired it without unfolding the stock?
- Vhyrus January 30, 2015 At 15:09
  
  Have you ever divided by zero? It’s like that.
  - DBM January 30, 2015 At 15:11
    
    The result wouldnt be as fun as dividing by Zero.
    - Tex300BLK January 30, 2015 At 15:15
      
      the hole in whatever was immediately behind it would kind of look like a 0 though
- David Tester January 30, 2015 At 15:12
  
  The firearm will fire but not cycle.
- Dan Zimmerman January 30, 2015 At 15:20
  
  Don’t cross the streams. That would be bad.
  - BDub January 30, 2015 At 15:54
    
    I’m fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, “bad”?
    - Red in Texas January 30, 2015 At 15:59
      
      The bolt carrier group would come flying out the back of the rifle at a VERY high rate of speed.
  - Rad Man January 31, 2015 At 12:40
    
    “Important safety tip. Thanks, Dan.”
- Robert W. January 30, 2015 At 15:40
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoElLaLcfOc
- Taylor TX January 30, 2015 At 15:58
  
  You would have just crossed the streams, and shit would get really…real?
  
  EDIT: I see dan beat me to it 🙂
- Roy January 30, 2015 At 16:07
  
  There are Youtube videos of this. It fires, the bolt carrier just doesn’t cycle. It hits a safety retainer on the device. The retainer is mechanical and pops out of the way when the device is closed and in shooting position.
- Bob August 18, 2016 At 01:38
  
  The gun can be successfully fired when folded. You get 1 shot, then you must unfold and release the bolt.
  See at 5:15…, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Yqf-3Jy3c
DBM January 30, 2015 At 15:10

I wonder if they make an adapter’s for SCARs? The current field of adapter’s just let you change the FN stock for and AR stock and you lose the ability to fold the stock over.
Tom in Oregon January 30, 2015 At 15:17

Now this is a nifty little upgrade. Adding a bit to LOP would be a bonus for me.
Cough-sig brace-cough
Geoff PR January 30, 2015 At 15:18

200+ bucks is not cheap. I like the concept, tho…

I’ll wait and see if a China knock-off becomes available…
- Thebear January 30, 2015 At 15:49
  
  Buying cheep Chinese knockoffs kills American innovation.
  
  R&D costs money.
  - JH January 30, 2015 At 17:27
    
    I thought the same thing. Cheapa$$ comment.
- Gunr January 30, 2015 At 19:59
  
  Companies adding their dam 99 cents on the end of every price, even items costing over $200.00 just pisses me off!
  I probably wouldn’t buy it just because of that! There ought to be a law!
dracon1201 January 30, 2015 At 15:23

GOSH DANGIT! Opening TTAG is ridiculous on an Android! So many dang popups on Android!
- Vhyrus January 30, 2015 At 15:27
  
  I’m not getting any pop ups on my android. Might be something in your device.
- Carson January 30, 2015 At 15:36
  
  Every couple of articles I’ll get one that likes to redirect me to the google play store every 5 or so seconds. That’s annoying
- Apple Fanboy January 30, 2015 At 16:00
  
  I had a puff-up on a hemmohriod once, is that anything like a pop-up on an android?
  - Gunr January 30, 2015 At 20:04
    
    Not sure about that, but your post reminds me of the TV comedy “Married with Children” where “Peg” referred to “Al” sometimes as having trouble with his “roids”
- cigardog January 30, 2015 At 16:09
  
  What browser are you using? I use Chrome on Android and rarely get popups. (Yesterday I had a forced redirect to the Play Store, that’s the first one in a few months.)
KnowWhatIamTalkingAbout January 30, 2015 At 15:30

I had thought the primary purpose historically for a folding stock was for paratroopers to keep things simple and less cumbersome when they jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, but some one with more history background would have to confirm that for me.

If concealment and low profile is the purpose behind which this author bought the product, I would just assume break down my AR into its component halves and put it in a duffle bag, briefcase, or something like that.

Although, jumping in and out of a truck with this installed may make thing easier.

Anywho, just my two cents.
- Gunr January 30, 2015 At 15:41
  
  Why would you want to jump out of a perfectly good truck? (sarc)
  - SteveK October 11, 2016 At 13:28
    
    If you are crossing a frozen lake and the ice starts to crack, you need to get otta the truck FAST!
- Jeremy S January 30, 2015 At 16:02
  
  Dude seriously what does “historical purpose” have anything to do with anything? This allows you to quickly and easily knock a good foot or more off the length of your rifle without disassembling the darn thing. There are tons of uses for that. Who the heck cares if folding stocks were originally made for paratroopers?!?!?! Heck, your AR was originally designed for shooting Communists but I doubt that’s why you bought one hahah 😉
  - Red in Texas January 30, 2015 At 16:08
    
    We all may be rethinking your last sentence soon. 🙂
    - Taylor TX January 30, 2015 At 16:18
      
      this.was.great.
  - jsallison January 30, 2015 At 23:27
    
    Akshully it was designed so LeMay’s loonies wouldn’t have to lug those oh so heavy M14’s in the back of their pickups as they tooled about the SAC base. He was still in full ‘we’re not the Army!!!’ song. Bet he bit his cigar in half when the army adopted the ar15.
TTACer January 30, 2015 At 15:35

One of the failings of the AR system is that it does not support folding the stock, unlike pretty much every other rifle ever.
- int19h January 30, 2015 At 22:02
  
  On the other hand, because the buffer is in the stock (instead of having extra mass on the BCG), the rifle is more balanced overall. It’s a trade-off.
- Yellow Devil February 2, 2015 At 13:43
  
  As someone pointed out, not being able to fold an AR stock is like complaining about wet groceries after buying a pick-up truck.
  - DBM February 2, 2015 At 14:30
    
    How about just getting a Head Down “Deceptus” Breakdown AR 15 . Takes a few seconds to put together.
- Ethan September 18, 2015 At 15:59
  
  Very true – but that also what makes is so slim and light – no redundant structure. Ever shot a SCAR/ACR? They seem noticeably bulky and front-heavy in comparison.
  - int19h September 18, 2015 At 16:04
    
    I suspect this has more to do with having the piston up there in the front.
Red in Texas January 30, 2015 At 15:53

Slick set-up. I was trying to figure out how the buffer interface extension worked, but after studying the pic a little longer, see it clear as day. My wife is not going to be happy with me. 😀

ETA – Did you notice any carrier tilt?
- Gunr January 30, 2015 At 20:09
  
  “My wife is not going to be happy with me”
  Dude, can’t you get your dealer to give you a “spouse” receipt? One showing a much lower price than you paid.
  - Jason June 4, 2016 At 23:00
    
    Hahaha “Spouse receipt ” that’s awesome. I gotta start shopping wherever you are!!
Thebear January 30, 2015 At 15:55

I have one of these on my AR pistol.

http://oi57.tinypic.com/14dgd2f.jpg

I also have a detachable barrel on it similar to this: https://www.coppercustom.com/shop/parts-kits/dolos-ar15-quick-change-barrel-system/

With the zip tied flashlight, it results in a neat little pistol that I can completely take apart into separate components in 30-40 seconds.
- Taylor TX January 30, 2015 At 16:01
  
  Pretty neat cord wrapped handguard and those sweet ass tactical zip ties 🙂
  - Thebear January 30, 2015 At 16:18
    
    Fuck yeah. 😉
    
    The downside of quick detach barrel system is that the guard functions as a nut, it’s a free floating aluminum guard, and you’re stuck with it.
    
    My guns don’t feel tacticool without a flashlight.
    
    I figured I already spent over 2 grand building the pistol, the zip ties, work… so why not. 🙂 And everything is better with paracord.
  - Geoff PR January 30, 2015 At 17:59
    
    Bears….
    
    They improvise…
- Roy January 30, 2015 At 16:10
  
  I’m guessing you built your pistol before Sig Braces came out? I also had an AR15 pistol and I had the law folding stock adapter and the stock saddle thing. Before Sig Braces, the stock saddles were the cool accessory for pistols.
  - Thebear January 30, 2015 At 16:20
    
    Yes and no. Sig braces were barely out when I built it, but I personally don’t have a lot of interest in them. I think they look goofy, and the ATF isn’t going to change any decisions regarding saddles. It doesn’t stick past the back of the buffer tube.
    
    The whole point of my build was to have a weapon you can break down and fit in a small box or a bag. The sig brace is pretty bulky.
    - int19h January 30, 2015 At 22:03
      
      >> I think they look goofy, and the ATF isn’t going to change any decisions regarding saddles.
      
      They already did. Shouldering them is just as illegal as shouldering the brace now.
    - Thebear January 31, 2015 At 00:12
      
      Stupid ATF. :/
- Sian February 2, 2015 At 09:41
  
  Neat pistol but those popup sights are ridiculous. I can’t imagine MBUS being very useful with a 6″ sight radius. I’d want to run something like this on that setup http://www.advantagetactical.com/long-guns/guardian-ats-sight or http://www.xssights.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=993114&CAT=8279
  
  AR pistol should have pistol sights (in addition to red dot or holo) IMO. peep and post just don’t work well with such a short sight radius. (It’s awful on a 9″ G36C!)
Roy January 30, 2015 At 16:08

I also had a problem getting mine to close all the way. I didn’t fix it. It would still work but you had to really push on the stock to get the device to latch and close.
David P. January 30, 2015 At 16:43

I carry my AR everywhere too. My concealed carry piece is just to get me back to the AR if the need arises. But $200 seems really high to add a piece of gear to could cause a failure to fire if not locked in place. I think I would take my chance with an AR pistol and make a court prove that the tube or brace was touching my shoulder. Luckily not much of an issue right now because the expedition is not short on space
g January 30, 2015 At 17:00

Put it on a piston AR.
- John Doe January 30, 2015 At 19:41
  
  The buffer system still has to push the bolt back so piston wouldn’t matter.
  - Julian January 31, 2015 At 00:45
    
    There are piston systems with a shortened bolt carrier that relocate the recoil spring, so you can eliminate the need for a buffer tube.
    - int19h January 31, 2015 At 00:48
      
      Alternatively, you can make the receiver higher, and house the spring at the top, compressing it against receiver walls. This works regardless of whether it’s piston or DI, though the only AR I know of that works like that is Extar EXP-556.
Paul G January 30, 2015 At 19:04

For that kind of money I can keep pushing to pins for smaller travel packaging. My AR fits in my hard bags that way, folded it looks like it would be too long.
Tom in Georgia January 30, 2015 At 19:05

I’ve long since decided that the SIG brace isn’t my kettle of fish, and as a motorcyclist without a car, transporting a long gun was a pain in the ass….quite literally. Sure, you can break an AR down and strap it to the back seat but it’s still gotta be assembled. $200+ is pretty darn steep, but in my particular case it may be well worth it to be able to bring it down to the 26″ minimum without a tax stamp, and once that’s approved, put on whatever short barreled upper that strikes my fancy. The whole kit and kaboodle would then fit nicely in a typical backpack or a saddlebag without having to be disassembled, and that’s not too shabby at all.

Tom
- Sian February 2, 2015 At 09:51
  
  Or you could just go with a ZM LR300, Rock River LAR-PDS, ARAK-21 or similar with a proper folding stock and tubeless piston system.
uncommon_sense January 30, 2015 At 19:45

Will the ATF claim that they are entitled to a tax stamp once you install one of these?
- Dan Zimmerman January 30, 2015 At 19:57
  
  No. SCARs have standard fold-away stocks and don’t require a tax stamp. No reason adding one would change that.
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxS2YrFufgM
- Thebear January 31, 2015 At 00:13
  
  You also can’t fire it while folded for more than one shot. It will break your gun too.
int19h January 30, 2015 At 22:04

Are these compatible with piston systems with funky proprietary bolts and/or carriers? I’m interested in Adams Arms compatibility, in particular, but this is a valid question for all of them…
- jwtaylor January 30, 2015 At 23:42
  
  This is a piston gun that it is on. JWT
  - int19h January 31, 2015 At 00:47
    
    Thanks. I googled it and apparently AA specifically is supported for sure.
    
    Now that I think that I want it, I have more doubts about the general principle. Most rifles with folding stocks have them on the outer side of the receiver, with a wall between it and the BCG, so the only stress that the stock gets is from being pushed against your shoulder. This thing has to contend with the force of the bolt pushing the buffer in, with the only thing that’s preventing it from unfolding under said force is the lock. So, how beefy and sturdy is it?
    
    One other point of concern is how weatherproof and dirt-proof this is. It’s not entirely clear from the pictures whether the rear of the receiver is sealed more or less snug, or whether there are large slits there for dirt/sand/mud to find their way in through. Given how finicky ARs can be when really dirty, this would defeat the point.
    - Thebear January 31, 2015 At 01:57
      
      I’ve put about 500 rounds through my pistol so far. No problems.
      
      I wouldn’t take it to combat with me… but I’m a civilian now so who cares.
James Thompson November 27, 2015 At 16:38

I recommend that you pass on this one. I have had a terrible experience with my Law Tactical stock. It’s defective and I have not been able to get any response from Law for weeks. Sometimes items are defective, that happens, but what defines a company is how they treat their customers (or ignore them). I wouldn’t use another Law product if it was free.
Cases4Cases February 1, 2016 At 15:00

Was this a Gen2 or Gen3? Gen3, right?
Kirbdogg July 22, 2016 At 15:34

Dead Foot Arms makes one that can be fired folded!!
Colin Mosier March 11, 2017 At 23:47

Variety of install instructions on you tube and with adapter. Version 2
All bad. All different.
I put it on a DB 15.
Only one part left over.
Absolutely would not fit.
No big deal though. Just a ring.
So for those who say I’m not mechanical?
I am.
I watched all the vids and used bits of several to work it out.
Got it done anyway and its the bomb.
Looks and works great.
Enrique February 5, 2021 At 23:22

Well, here it is 2021, five or 6 years later and still nothing on the market that compares to this, which means, the price has gone up considerably. Primary Arms wants $399 for this little piece of steel. So now you have to decide just how much you need a folding stock/brace. Law Tactical has a monopoly on this type of product and they know it.