Folding stocks on rifles have been both misused and misunderstood for decades. While the AK possesses one of the most iconic folding stocks, the AR15 has long suffered from an inability to yield. Folding the stock has been the unobtanium of the AR world since its conception. No longer, Dead Foot Arms has found the secret to folding under pressure, but without compromising form or function.
Dead Foot Arms is a small business created by veterans, professionals who were intimately involved in the operation, care, and use of the infamous AR15. The AR15 is arguably one of the best combat rifles ever created and as such has become the standard by which all modern rifles are compared. The operating system, meaning the bolt carrier group, the gas system, and the buffer system, is one of the softest shooting and most reliable systems of any modern rifle. The one real Achilles’ heel of the platform is the inability to fold for storage or mobility.
The rigidity of the AR family of rifles needed an upgrade. A deviation in the design was going to be necessary, but how much of the weapon remains an AR, and what is the cost and reliability attached to such changes? Many designs over decades have sought to allow for a folding AR platform, with many completely redesigning the AR’s operating system. In the end, only two companies were able to accomplish this feat without changing the AR platform from its fundamental design.
Dead Foot Arms offers a folding system that works from either side and even allows for firing while folded—even in full auto. They achieve this without changing what makes the AR15 an AR15. The result is a folding AR stock system that stands out in both function and adaptability.
Why would an individual or professional want to fold the stock on any rifle? The ability to fold a stock on a rifle has two major points of interest. The first reason is to store the weapon; there are situations that necessitate folding a weapon to reduce the rifle’s overall length. Folding the stock can shorten the total length by a foot or more. This utility can have a significant advantage for concealing or transporting a rifle. The second reason folding a stock is a vital upgrade is when operating in highly restrictive spaces. For example, when using a rifle in a motor vehicle, the ability to shorten the weapon and still be able to fire the rifle can mean the difference between life and death. The mobility inside these confined spaces can result in the individual surviving an emergency where a longer rifle could have had catastrophic results.
The ability to decrease the overall size of the AR is one great accomplishment, but doing this without creating a massive change to how the weapon functions is incredible. This is just the beginning. Dead Foot also allowed for modularity at the end of the system to use virtually any AR stock you wanted. In fact, they also created a few of their own to include the ability to run a brace for AR pistols. This wasn’t enough; Dead Foot also wanted to ensure rifle slings could interface, and the capability to use the controls of the weapon and ejection of spent casing were not compromised. Finally, to not be outdone, the engineering prowess of Dead Foot ensured that the end user could use most AR bolt carriers if they were so inclined to use their own aftermarket part. For an extra fee, Dead Foot will alter your personal bolt carrier to work with their proprietary buffer system.
The ability to fold the stock is a significant step, but the capability to efficiently operate the controls and repeatedly fire the weapon folded is nothing short of amazing. The system allows all this while still providing the flexibility to choose virtually any AR-compatible stock on the market, which is a benchmark no one else has achieved without completely redesigning the bolt carrier group and buffer system; at which point would the rifle still truly be considered an AR15?
What is the secret to Dead Foot’s success? Starting first with the bolt carrier, Dead Foot chose to keep the function and design unchanged, but they knew they had to have a captured buffer system if the weapon was to be fired when folded. After solving the buffer system, they were able to fine-tune the bolt carrier. The bolt carrier is simply cut and honed out on the back end to make room for the proprietary buffer springs and guide rod. The rifle still functions exactly like the original with a spring buffer system behind the bolt carrier group. The buffer spring is actually two different springs that fit together and slide onto a guide rod at the aft and in the front of the spring fit into a metal cap to ensure the springs are captured and cannot deviate from their position. Different spring tension allows for different calibers. The uniqueness of the buffer system does necessitate a deviation in disassembly, but this is easily done by removing the end cap on the folding mechanism to remove the buffer springs and guide rod. Once the rear takedown pin is pulled and the rifle breaks down as usual, with all manuals of arms of disassembly remaining the exact same.
Apart from the modified bolt carrier and proprietary buffer system, the action of the weapon, which makes the AR the AR, remains exactly the same. This allows for the renowned soft recoil of the direct impingement gas system, allows for adjustable gas blocks or aftermarket upgraded bolt carriers, and ensures that all AR-compatible components are still available to the end user. This makes the Dead Foot the first choice for maximized use in all conditions for virtually all uses.
Now that we have stated how the system works and what it offers, let us look at any possible negative points and consider the system compared to the leading alternative - LAW Tactical. The Dead Foot Arms folding system is not perfect. There are a few small points that may give pause to its use. The first is that the system is not compatible with larger calibers. .308 and .45 ACP are not an option for the Dead Foot folding system. Another minor issue that is also found with the LAW system is the extension of the lower for the folding mechanism to function as described. Another minor point is the modification to the bolt carrier; for some, this may be a serious point of contention. Given that nearly any bolt carrier can be modified, I feel this point is moot due to the gas and carrier systems functioning exactly as the stock configuration.
So, other than the obvious function of being able to fold a stock, what is the point of the system? Why does one need to have a folding stock? Previously, we pointed out that storage and maneuverability are serious considerations for any professional or civilian user. The ability to dramatically shorten the weapon greatly increases the capability for a large swath of reasons. As someone who carried a rifle in their vehicle professionally and continues to this very day, the ability to fold a stock makes perfect sense for me. The ability to store a longer-barreled weapon in my bag or vehicle improves readiness while minimizing exposure of the weapon to the public, and there is the maneuverability in the vehicle if required to “turn and burn” while still inside the vehicle, meaning I have to fire from inside the vehicle to the outside as a threat approaches.
The Dead Foot Arms MCS and SCW systems (various folding systems) are available in kits and on a piece-by-piece basis. This makes the ability to pick and choose what parts you want or mix and match a viable option. There are options that fold on the right or left side, depending on which best suits your needs, and there is another variation that telescopes like that of the MP5, so choices abound. For those who see the world from a more savage nature, there is even an AK under-folding variant to have your cake and vodka too.
The Dead Foot Arms MCS and SCW systems are, in my humble opinion, the best choice for a folding system for the AR rifle. Unlike the other options that can fold but cannot be fired, Dead Foot offers the greatest capability and options for those needing a more capable system enhancement. The Dead Foot Arms folding system is built to greatly enhance your capabilities and not limit your needs. Dead Foot Arms will help to keep both feet in the saddle.