UTG Model-15 6 Position Adjustable Stock Review

UTG Stock Review, M4 Stock Review, Model 15 Review, Leapers Stock Review
I'm in the process of updating my old Colt AR-15 Sporter II with some of today's new accessories.  One of the major ways to update an older rifle is to replace the stock with a M4 style adjustable position stock.  This required me getting a new M4 style stock and buffer tube assembly.  Since there are so many stocks on the market that come as drop-in replacements once you have a M4 buffer tube, I decided not to get caught up in the initial stock configuration.  Having reviewed several of the UTG products and being happy with the value of their products, I decided to see what types of complete packages (stock and buffer tube) they offer.  I ended up purchasing the UTG Model-15 6 Position Adjustable Stock.  I purchased this stock from CheaperThanDirt.com for $49.97 plus S&H.  Since I did not have a stock wrench, I also purchased the Tapco Stock Wrench for $7.97 plus S&H.  The specifications for the stock from UTG (Leapers)  website are shown below in italics.

• Precision Machined Tight Tolerance Aluminum Tube Offers 6 Positions to Provide Most Secured Solid Adjustment
• Superior Quality Molded and Injected Synthetic Stock
• Complete with Springs, Excellent Quality Aluminum Buffer, Tear-drop Ring and Locking Ring
• For Pre-ban Guns and Target Sport
• Material: Aluminum/Plastic
• Weight: 18.2 oz 

When you receive the UTG Model 15 Stock, it comes packaged as shown below.  Just to be clear, this stock comes with a Commercial buffer tube, not a Mil-Spec buffer tube.  The best place to go to see the difference between these two is at Magpul's website where they did a comparison (link).

Before I installed the UTG Model 15 Stock, I needed to remove my A2 stock.  To do this you remove the two screws in the butt plate shown below .

With those screws removed, you can slide all the pieces and butt stock off of the buffer tube as shown below.

Pay close attention to the takedown pin spring that is held in place by the butt stock.  You will need to reinstall this later.

Now you have the exposed the A2 buffer tube.

I purchased the Tapco stock wrench to help with the removal of my old stock and installation of my new stock.  I didn't need this wrench to take the old buffer tube off because I could have done that with an adjustable wrench, but I will need it for tightening the buffer tube nut.

Using the stock wrench on the back portion of the buffer tube, I was able to loosen the tube.  I'm sure that this tube has never been removed and it was extremely tight.

When you remove the buffer tube, you will have the buffer tube pin stop that will pop up as shown below in the lower threaded area of the receiver.  If you are like me, you may end up looking for this when it pops out and goes across the room.

The old A2 stock and buffer tube assembly weighed in at 1.60 pounds.

The new UTG Model 15 stock and buffer tube assembly weighed in at 1.164 pounds.  This is about a 7 ounce savings in weight compared to the A2.  The UTG specification said the Model 15 would weigh 18.2 ounces and mine came in at 18.6 ounces.  In my opinion, that is close enough.

Before you thread your buffer tube into your lower receiver, you will need to make sure the parts are stacked in the correct order and facing the correct direction.  Most likely you will need to remove the buffer tube nut since it is usually installed to hold the pieces together for packaging.  In the photo below, you will see that the nut goes on the threads first and the large notches will go towards the back of the buffer tube.  Then you will put the anti rotation plate on with the dimple pointing in the direction of the lower receiver.  Install these items far to the back of the threads on the buffer tube because you will need to give yourself room to reinstall the takedown pin spring.

When you install the UTG Model 15 Stock, you will need to press in the buffer tube stop pin to allow screwing the buffer tube far enough to hold the stop pin in place, but not so far that it binds the spring action of the stop pin.  In the photo below you can see how the tube overlaps the edge of the stop pin.

When you release the buffer tube, it now stops against the stop pin.

Once you have the buffer tube screwed into the receiver and the stop pin as shown, you will need to reinstall the takedown pin spring and then you can start tightening the buffer tube nut using your stock wrench.  Some people like to put Loctite on the thread, but since I like to tinker with my rifle and I'm sure I will take it apart again in the future, I decided not to add Loctite.  As I was tightening the nut using the wrench, I didn't think the fit between the nut and wrench was very good.  I don't know if this is a nut or wrench issue.  If I would have filed down the tabs on the wrench, it would have fit better.

Now all you need to do is reinstall the upper receiver and your installation is complete.

The stock is very simple.  The features are a lower sling loop and a place where you could install the sling below the buffer tube.  The lever works effortlessly and will allow easy adjustment of the position of the stock.  There is no rattle in the butt stock itself, but it does rattle on the buffer tube.

The stock is adjustable into six different positions on the buffer tube as indicated by the counterbored areas show below.  Ignore the wear because that was just me making adjustments to different positions during the review.  The actual buffer tube had no visible wear when I pulled it out of the box.

This next set of photos shows the stock in all of the 6 different positions.  The lengths shown are measured from the end of the stock to the lower receiver.  I also added my A2 stock in for reference.

Position 1 - Fully Collapsed, 7.44"

Position 2 - 8.25"

Position 3 - 9.06"

Position 4 - 9.82"

Position 5 - Same as A2 Length, 10.63"

Position 6 - Full Extended, 11.22"

Bottom Line:

I have come to the same basic opinion for this stock as with most of the UTG products that I have reviewed.  The UTG Model 15 Six Position Adjustable Stock is a good value.  My only negative comment is that the stock itself will rattle slightly on the buffer tube, but I think this is common on most "entry level" M4 style stocks.  Would I recommend this product?  If you are wanting an "entry level" M4 style stock and buffer tube assembly, I think you would be happy with this product.