Few rifles have enamored enthusiasts quite like the AR-10. Ever since its creation in the mid-1950s, it’s become one of the most renowned rifles available, known well for its long-range prowess and adaptability to fit multiple applications—and throughout the years, the AR-10 has served as the basis for a multitude of specialized rifles, including various Designated Marksman Rifles.
If you aren’t already familiar with them, a Designated Marksman Rifle, or DMR, is rifle chambered in a full-power rifle cartridge, like .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor, that’s designed to bridge the gap between standard issue service rifles like the M4 and dedicated long-range rifles like bolt-actions.
Offering more power and longevity, DMRs have been a staple rifle system fielded by many world Militaries and Law Enforcement Agencies, with platforms like the M14 and SCAR being among the most notable. However, standing chief amongst such rifles is the AR-10, a rifle that has not only served as the basis for iconic DMRs such as the Knights Armament M110 SASS (semi-auto sniper system), but also as the foundation for countless civilian DMR builds.
AR-10 Stock Options
Over the years, as the AR-10 platform has grown in popularity, its parts aftermarket has expanded along with it, with there now being a plethora of unique AR-10 lower and upper receiver parts. Although it doesn’t have the same level of parts interchangeability as the AR-15, they can still be easily modified to fit everyone’s individual preferences, making it a solid pick for DMR builds. While building a DMR can certainly be done with an AR-10, one part that plays a crucial role in such builds is the stock.
The stock serves as one of the primary points of contact on your rifle, and when shooting at distance, it’s one of main stabilizers needed for proper aiming. AR-10 stock assemblies can vary quite heavily in design—plus, with it being one of the few components that’s identical to AR-15’s design, you have a near-endless number of options to pick from. While choosing a stock seems like an easy task on the surface, choosing the wrong one can take a serious toll on your rifle’s performance.
Should you opt for a Fixed or Collapsible Stock?
Historically, DMRs have almost always used fixed stocks. Popular historic models like the M110 SASS came standard with an A2 style fixed stock, and more modern rifles like the Geissele MRGG-S, a rifle chosen by USSOCOM, also uses a fixed stock (Magpul PRS Lite). This is primarily due to the stability they provide.
As their name suggests, AR-10 fixed stock options stay fixed in place, providing you with incredible stability. Even further, most modern fixed stock assemblies still come with adjustable cheek rests and lengths of pull, allowing you to optimize your rifle to suit your preferences.
This isn’t to say that collapsible carbine stocks aren’t worth considering, as many modern collapsible stocks are designed to offer a similar degree of stability and fine adjustments. Still, a fixed stock is generally the better option for DMRs, but ultimately, choosing one over the other is up to you.
Top Precision Stocks for AR-10 DMRs
As you’d likely suspect given the AR-10’s popularity as a DMR, there are a lot of precision stock options available that fit well with DMR builds. As highlighted above, you have your pick of either a fixed or adjustable stock, but even if you narrow it down to one or the other, you still have a plethora of options to choose from. To make it a bit easier, we’ve compiled a brief list of some of the most popular precision stocks for the AR-10.
Magpul
Briefly mentioned above, Magpul is one of the leading aftermarket accessory manufacturers for rifles like the AR-15 and AR-10, offering an extensive lineup of unique parts and accessories. Consequently, there are a plethora of fixed and collapsible Magpul AR-10 stocks to choose from.
Magpul PRS GEN3
One of their most popular stocks for precision shooting applications is the PRS (Precision Rifle/Sniper) GEN3, a specialized rifle stock designed to maximize stability for optimal control of your rifle. Despite being a fixed stock, the PRS GEN3 is highly adjustable, coming with durable aluminum knobs for adjusting the height of the cheekpiece, or the stock’s overall length of pull—you can even replace the stock’s butt pads for added comfort too. Although the PRS GEN3 is optimized for rifle length buffer tubes, they’re compatible with A5 and Carbine-length ones as well, making them a solid pick if you’re upgrading an existing rifle.
Being one of Magpul’s more specialized stock options, they’re a bit pricier than their other stocks, with them priced around $250. That said, they’re exceptionally adaptable, offering a solid blend of stability and on-the-fly adjustability that’s great for all precision shooting applications.
Magpul PRS Lite
As great as the PRS GEN3 is, it isn’t the lightest fixed stock on the market, as it weighs 27.8 ounces (just over 1.7 pounds). When building a rifle, all these ounces add up, and if you want more of a minimalist stock that’s still suitable for a DMR build, Magpul has you covered with the PRS Lite.
As its name suggests, the PRS Lite is essentially a scaled back version of the PRS GEN3. It forgoes on-the-fly adjustability in favor of a lighter overall design. However, it still has an adjustable cheek riser and length of pull; they just require you to use a special tool to do so. Since it doesn’t have the same internal mechanics, a considerable amount of weight is shaved off the stock, with it weighing only 18.2 ounces (just over 1.1 pounds). It’s also considerably more budget-friendly, with it typically being priced around $115.
Magpul MOE PR
Magpul is arguably most well known for their lineup of collapsible stocks, and while you may first think that they only have options designed for agile rifles like the AR-15, their MOE PR Stock can be a fitting choice for a DMR build.
Based on the PRS stock design, the MOE PR Stock is compatible with mil-spec and A5 buffer tubes and is adaptable for many scenarios. Although it doesn’t offer the same level of adjustability as the PRS GEN3 or PRS Lite, it retains the dedicated hand-rest for when shooting prone or at a bench rest, and it’s compatible with Magpul’s CTR cheek risers, giving you an extra modicum of adaptability. Lastly, it’s incredibly lightweight, coming in at only 11.2 ounces, and it’s incredibly budget-friendly, priced around $45.
B5 Systems
B5 Systems is another leading manufacturer of rifle stocks for both the AR-15 and AR-10. Although they’re most known for their SOPMOD and Bravo carbine stocks, their Collapsible Precision Stock has quickly risen in popularity as one of the most sought-after precision shooting stocks.
B5 Systems Collapsible Precision Stock
At its core, the B5 Systems Collapsible Precision Stock is a solid stock for DMR builds. Utilizing a robust polymer construction, it offers incredible stability, and much like Magpul’s PRS stocks, it’s equipped with an adjustable cheek riser and length of pull that can both be adjusted by using the stock’s built-in aluminum adjustment knobs, and for added stability, the bottom of the stock has M-LOK attachment points for monopods. Currently, they’re available in three different configurations: long, medium, and short.
Despite their different designations, each version has the same overall dimensions, but the cheekpiece is optimized for different types of rifles. For instance, long stocks are best for use with folding stock adapters or rifles that don’t use AR-style charging handles, medium ones are best for AR-15s, and short ones are designed for AR-10s. Lastly, as their name suggests, these stocks are collapsible, not fixed—however they don’t function like your typical collapsible stock. While these are designed for use on mil-spec buffer tubes, they don’t move freely like standard stocks. Using the bottom tab, you can adjust the stock’s fixed length of pull to your liking, and once it’s in place, you can lock it in position via set screw next to the pull tab. Afterwards, you can use the fine adjustments to achieve an optimal length of pull.
Like we said above, these stocks are a solid pick for DMR builds, especially if you’re upgrading an AR-308 that already has a mil-spec buffer tube. Lastly, you can usually find these stocks priced at around $220.
Luth-AR
Luth-AR is another highly respected name in the firearms industry. Since their inception in 2013, they’ve specialized in developing high-quality parts and accessories for AR platform rifles. Although they’re arguably most well known for their production of retro rifle parts, they have a strong presence in the long-distance shooting scene thanks to their precision stock options.
Luth-AR MBA-1
Standing chief amongst Luth-AR’s precision stocks is the MBA-1, a stock designed to be a direct upgrade for rifles with A2 rifle stocks. Despite being a fixed stock, the MBA-1 comes standard with an adjustable cheekpiece and length of pull, much like the other stocks mentioned thus far. Additionally, it’s made from a rugged glass filled nylon polymer, making it tough enough to withstand harsh conditions.
As we said above, these stocks are designed to be a direct replacement for A2 style stocks—they have a built-in castle nut and locking ring, making them ready for installation out of the box. So, if you already have an AR-308 with an A2 stock, the MBA-1 is a solid upgrade that’s priced at around $130.
Luth-AR MBA-2
While the MBA-1 is certainly a top-tier choice for DMRs, it’s a heavier stock weighing 1.26 pounds on its own. So, as a minimalist possibility, Luth-AR also offers the MBA-2. The MBA-2 is essentially what the Magpul PRS Lite is to the PRS GEN3, a scaled back stock that forgoes on-the-fly adjustability in favor of lighter weight. As such, the MBA-2 does not come with an adjustable length of pull or cheekpiece, but it’s still durable enough for use on DMRs. And just like the MBA-1, it can directly replace a rifle-length A2 stock.
If you’re interested in building a DMR that’s on the lighter side, the MBA-2 is a good pick. Even though it lacks the adjustability of the MBA-1, it weighs far less, coming in at just 0.7 pounds, and it’s affordable for all budgets with it usually being priced around $50.
Luth-AR MBA-3
The MBA-3 is a more compact precision stock that retains many of the MBA-1’s key features, such as its adjustable length of pull and cheekpiece. Their main difference, aside from their respective sizes, is their buffer tube compatibility, as the MBA-3 is designed to work with carbine ones. Like the B5 Systems Collapsible Precision stock, the MBA-3 fits on carbine buffer tubes, allowing you to adjust the stock’s gross length of pull, while being able to lock its position with a set screw. Also, unlike the MBA-1 and 2, it comes equipped with a lower rail 1913 rail for monopods.
Despite having the same features as the MBA-1, the MBA-3 is much lighter due to its compact design, weighing only 13.8 ounces. Still, it’s crucial to note that it’s also one of Luth-AR’s more premium offerings, with it typically priced around $150.
Optimizing Performance
After you’ve chosen your stock, there’s more you can do to improve your DMR build. While upgrading your stock, you might also consider getting an AR-10 buffer kit can further enhance your rifle’s performance.
Regardless of whether you opt for a rifle- or carbine-length buffer tube, optimizing your rifle’s buffer weight and spring can significantly improve your rifle’s cyclic efficiency while also softening its recoil impulse. For instance, a stronger spring and a heavier weight adds more resistance to the BCG as it cycles, giving them more time to absorb its recoil before bottoming out. Not only does this lessen your rifle’s recoil impulse, but it will also reduce the amount of wear on its internal components.
Conclusion
At its core, the AR-10 is an incredible platform that’s capable of being adapted to fit a multitude of roles, including DMRs. While it’s more-than-possible to build a rifle that’s capable of precisely and accurately engaging targets up to and beyond 750+ yards, having the right stock makes doing so far easier.
If you plan to build an AR-10 DMR, you have a plethora of stock options to choose from. If you’re looking for a more robust stock that maximizes adjustability, options like the Magpul PRS GEN3, B5 Systems Collapsible Precision Stock, and both the Luth-AR MBA-1 and MBA-3 are some of the best options around. For a lighter weight option that offers minimalistic reliability, the Magpul PRS Lite and MOE PR stocks along with the Luth-AR MBA-2 stock fill that role nicely.
At the end of the day, it’s impossible to declare any one of the options above as the ‘best’, since that’s ultimately a matter of personal preference. However, taking your needs and preferences into account before shopping will go a long way in helping you find the right stock for you. So long as you do, you’ll end up with the right stock for your next rifle build.
If you’re still on the fence about whether you should build a DMR or not, we have another guide that goes in-depth on the history of their development, as well as some other DMR Rifle options. Check it out!
