What Advantages Do Folding Stock Rifles Offer?

Jump to:

• What is a folding stock rifle?
• Pros and cons of rifles with folding stocks
• Finding the right storage solution for your folding firearm

When exploring the wide variety of firearm formats for home defense and concealed carry, it’s easy to think that a firearm with more options is automatically better. In the quest for the “one-size-fits-all” firearm, a folding stock rifle may seem like the perfect choice. 

The idea of a full-sized rifle that you can fold into a much shorter form factor seems like the perfect firearm for indoor defense. This begs the question: Do rifles with folding stocks offer more versatility, or do they compromise too much performance to be superior to their traditional counterparts?

Let’s take a look at what a folding stock rifle is and the pros and cons of owning one.

What Is a Folding Stock Rifle?

A folding stock rifle is any firearm that meets the criteria of a traditional rifle (its barrel and total length are 16” and 26” or longer, respectively) with a stock that folds parallel with the rest of the firearm. 

The Avtomat Kalashnikova (AK) line of rifles or M1A1 rifle may have been your first exposure to a rifle with a folding stock, but our desire to fold our rifles into a portable package goes back as far as the 1800s. Today, many AR-15s and other assault-style rifles are offered with folding stocks or can be adapted with a folding stock adapter kit. 

While some companies offer firearms that can fold between the barrel and the rifle’s receiver, we are going to cover firearms that have folding stocks strictly. Let’s explore some of the advantages you can find with these firearms and some of the drawbacks to know. 

Pros and Cons of Rifles With Folding Stocks

While smaller may seem better for concealment and home defense, it’s essential to consider how a folding stock can affect all aspects of using a firearm before relying on one in a life-or-death situation. 

Advantages

• Folding firearms offer a much shorter package when folded. Whether you are transporting your rifle or just want to reduce the amount of storage space it requires in your home, a folding stock rifle can make it easier to store your firearm in a travel bag, case, small gun safe or concealment furniture.  

• Folded firearms can allow for better handling inside close quarters like a home or vehicle. The shorter your firearm is, the easier it is to maneuver through tight spaces, like a hallway or car. 

Disadvantages

• Many folding stock rifles cannot fire when the stock is folded. If you are considering purchasing a folding AR-15 or adding a folding adapter to your AR-15, you may not be able to fire the rifle whenever the stock is folded due to the buffer tube being integrated into the stock. However, this does not apply to all folding rifles and folding adapters. Researching a particular adapter or folding stock rifle is essential before purchase.

• Folding stock firearms provide less control and recoil mitigation when firing than traditional stocks. The hinge assembly in the stock can add an extra place for movement when firing, which can lessen your accuracy and lead to a harder kickback than a rifle with a fixed buttstock. 

• Adapters can create an extra point of failure if they are not properly installed. Finally, it’s important to note that any added movement points for a firearm can lead to mechanical failure. If you don’t feel comfortable installing a folding adapter to your firearm, taking it to a trusted gunsmith is a great idea. 

Make Sure Your Firearm Has the Perfect Place In Your Home

Regardless of which type of firearm you choose to defend yourself and your home, you need a safe place to store it. Our concealment flags and furniture are perfect for decentralized gun storage and firearm staging for home defense situations. Visit our products page to learn more.