Getting Stocked Up With B5 Systems

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A good barrel and bolt for your rifle are generally agreed to be the most important parts of a good build. But the stock and grip are what contribute the most to the feel and ergonomics of a rifle. Too often these are overlooked. 

For easy-to-install changes to a rifle that can dramatically change the fit and feel of a rifle, the stock and grip are easy wins if you choose good parts.

B5 Systems has been making some outstanding options for a long time now. In fact, three of their stocks have NSNs meaning they are the real deal for what the US military and SOCOM use on a wide range of rifles.

WHAT IS AN NSN?

A National Stock Number is basically the government’s way of doing inventory for the Department of Defense. Items that get an NSN are the “official” items for the government. These items are easily ordered by the military or other government agencies for use, they are standardized, and the items must meet quality and design standards set by the government.

Getting an NSN isn’t easy. But getting an NSN means it’s the real deal.

B5 SYSTEMS GOVERNMENT STOCKS

SOPMOD Stock

Most AR-15 accessories don’t have much of a history behind them, but the SOPMOD stock isn’t like most accessories. Beginning for real in 1997 but tracing back to a project started in 1989, the Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) program was a collection of upgrades for the M4A1 and similar firearms used by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). 

The list of upgrades included in the various kits and packages is pretty extensive but all come back to one main objective — make the existing rifle better. This modularity is one of the many things that makes the AR platform pretty amazing.

The original SOPMOD stock was born out of the Crane division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) and was patented in early 2002. Those first-generation stocks were made by Crane for SOCOM and quickly battle-tested during the ongoing war in Afghanistan and shortly after in Iraq. 

Not long into production, LMT picked up the baton and was the primary manufacturer for several years. 

But since 2011, B5 Systems has been the main manufacturer of the SOPMOD stock for the Department of Defense.

The SOPMOD made in 2002 is effectively the same as the one currently produced for the government due to the NSN and the standardization that comes along with it. While it feels pretty normal today with the SOPMOD having been around for over 20 years, this stock was a major change from the stocks of the early 2000s.

A large sloping cheek weld provides more area for contact that translates to being more comfortable and more stable than other stocks.

Inside the SOPMOD are two tubes that are waterproof and removable. Perfect for anything from batteries to emergency crayons the tubes come in handy for people that know to make use of them.

Under the rubberized buttpad is another storage area for the M:4 Multitasker tool. A simple multitool from B5 Systems that includes a slotted screwdriver, castle nut spanner, 1/2″ hex for scope mounts, and bolt override tool.

While the OG SOPMOD is still the offical NSN version, B5 System also offers the Enhanced SOPMOD. This newer version has steel reinforced QD sling swivels and that’s a nice feature to have.

Bravo Stock

An iteration of the SOPMOD design, the Bravo is basically the lighter little brother to the SOPMOD. Forgoing the internal storage tubes to make a slimmer overall stock, the Bravo retains much of the sloped design but trims down the bulk.

The Bravo stock also adds steel anti-rotation QD sling mounts (a feature found on the Enhanced SOPMOD but not the Government SOPMOD) and is available in a huge range of colors, though only the black and coyote have NSNs.

The buttpad on the Bravo is almost identical to the SOPMOD and includes the M:4 Multitasker storage area.

While the SOPMOD is an outstanding stock, the Bravo is nice for rifles that need to cut down a little in size and bulk. The Bravo also has a slightly different cheek feel that some shooters might prefer over the SOPMOD. 

Collapsible Precision Stock

Much in the same way the SOPMOD stock was born for USSOCOM, the Collapsible Precision Stock was recently selected by the US Army’s Advanced Sniper Accessory Kit to enhance the Knights Armament M110 rifles currently being used.

The CPS was also selected for the M110A3 6.5 Creedmoor conversion kits. 

Issued with very retro non-adjustable fixed buttstock the M110 sniper rifle was clearly in need of something better. B5’s Collapsible Precision Stock offers a huge improvement.

Not only is the CPS collapsible as the name tells you it is, but it is rock solid in any configuration. Precision shooting requires repeatability and the CPS delivers. 

But what really makes the CPS special are the length of pull adjustment and cheek riser. Both work exactly like they sound. The CPS makes use of the adjustable buffer tube that most AR rifles use but also has a fine adjustable screw that extends the butt pad an extra inch or so. Instead of settling for the adjustment point closest to what you want, the CPS can be dialed in perfectly.

The cheek riser works the same way but sits under your cheek. A precision screw allows for the cheek riser to be adjusted to align your eyes with the optic perfectly. Reducing shooter strain, scope shadow, and making the rifle easier to shoot.

Just like the original SOPMOD program, the CPS makes the rifle better.