Guide to PDW Stocks: The Good, Bad, and Ugly plus our 2023 Top Picks

PDW stocks entered the AR scene a few years, and they quickly became all the rage. After all, you can only shorten your AR’s barrel so much. Once you’ve reached the point of muzzling fireballs and key-holing targets, you’re at the limit of what constitutes a feasible barrel length. But that doesn’t mean you can’t further reduce OAL (overall length). Even if you’re sticking to the standard, stamp-less 16″ barrel, you may still want to reduce OAL for the sake of shaving weight and making storage easier. But what, exactly is a PDW stock? Do you need a modified buffer, tube, or recoil spring? Which PDW stocks suck, and which are the bee’s knees? Let’s take a look.

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What are PDW Stocks, Anyway?

“PDW” stands for Personal Defense Weapon. Any rifle, SBR, or “tacticool” pistol with a brace can function as a PDW. They’re typically reserved for – you guessed it – self defense scenarios, often functioning as home defense weapons, or backpack or truck guns. The hallmark of a PDW weapon, though, is its physical size and storage capacity. These are rifles made to fit in small, often concealed spaces. But when it comes to the AR, which uses an exposed buffer tube, storage and reduction in OAL can pose a challenge: The typical buffer tube measures at least 7″, and throwing a conventional stock atop the tube usually adds at least another inch or two, even when fully collapsed.

Enter the PDW stock. Some options make use of the standard buffer and buffer tube, and merely reduce the extra length added by the stock itself. Some PDW setups replace the buffer tube and buffer to further reduce length. The most effective — and expensive — stocks replace the entire bolt carrier and spring assembly. Some PDW conversions even function as folding stocks: The buffer tube can be unlocked, rotated, and stowed against the upper and lower receivers for easier carry and concealment.

Are PDW Stocks Legal?

Yes, PDW stocks are perfectly legal to own an install on a typical rifle. There’s a misconception that PDW stocks convert a typical rifle into an SBR (Short-Barreled Rifle) or AOW (Any Other Weapon) because overall length is reduced, in some cases, significantly. This is false. Any rifle is only subject to NFA regulation if its overall length falls below 26″, and/or if its barrel length is less than 16″. In most cases, installing a PDW stock on a typical AR-type rifle with a 16″ barrel will not reduce OAL to below 26″.

The Best PDW Stocks For Your AR-15

Now you’ve got a warm n’ fuzzy on all things PDW: Why they’re awesome, and why you now want one — but which one? Here are our top stock picks.

Armaspec XPDW Gen 2 (Best for Factory Buffer + Bolt)

Let’s face it: You’re interested in a PDW stock for the functionality and the cool points. Maybe you don’t want to dump $500 or $600 on a new spring, buffer, and bolt carrier. Maybe you just want a PDW stock that interfaces with your AR’s stock buffer system. That’s where Armaspec’s XPDW Gen 2 comes in. This is one of the only options on the market that makes full use of the AR’s factory buffer tube, recoil spring, buffer, and bolt carrier. But that doesn’t mean the XPDW is a gimmick.

I personally ran one of these bad boys on my 300 Blackout-chambered 10.5″ SBR. It fit up fine, and provided a solid cheek weld that was surprisingly comfortable. The stock locked up confidently in all five positions, and the stock rods felt rock solid at any length. Installation was a breeze, and the hardware used to torque the assembly to the buffer tube was straightforward. Although it makes use of the factory carbine tube, the XPDW still reduces overall collapsed length compared to a conventional buttstock. Its all-steel-and-aluminum construction looks and feels great, too. At around $220, it’s priced well below most other PDW setups.

OAL Open: 10.25″
OAL Closed: 7″
Weight: 23 Oz.
Stock Positions: 5

Strike Industries AR-15 PDW (Best for Factory Bolt)

If you want to meaningfully reduce OAL with your PDW, there’s no getting around swapping the buffer tube — but that doesn’t mean you need to sink hundreds of dollars into a custom bolt carrier, too. Strike Industries’ “Viper” PDW stock provides an excellent compromise: It dramatically shortens the internal buffer and increases the recoil spring weight, while also reducing the buffer tube length to 5.5″ — a 2″ reduction compared to the typical carbine tube.

But you get to keep your factory bolt while enjoying all that compact performance. The Viper PDW is comfortable too, with a molded cheek rest and contoured buttstock. The stock rods are steel, and the proprietary tube attaches to any mil-spec lower receiver with standard threads. Despite its custom buffer and spring assembly, the Viper PDW is priced affordably – just over $250 at publication.

OAL Open: 11″
OAL Closed: 7.5″
Weight: 20.2 Oz.
Stock Positions: 3

LWRCI PDW Stock Kit (Best for Piston Conversion)

Most PDW stocks are designed to function in DI guns. But LWRCI took it a step further and developed their own PDW stock for their piston-driven rifles and uppers. Although their units are a tad pricey, you’re getting absolute quality and reliability — with the added benefit of finely tuning your gas and avoiding all that carbon fouling. The other benefit of running LWRCI’s piston systems is found here, in their proprietary stock. With a piston-driven bolt and absolutely tiny buffer tube, you’re getting the shortest overall length of any PDW stock — just 3.5″ collapsed, and 8″ fully extended.

The bolt carrier sports a sexy nickel boron finish with a custom, integrated buffer that interfaces with the provided recoil spring. A custom castle nut’s also provided to install your new tube. LRWCI’s known for producing rugged AR stuff, and this stock’s no different. Grab yours for around $470 — but don’t forget to browse their uppers, too. You’ll need one to run this ultra-compact configuration.

OAL Open: 8″
OAL Closed: 3.5″

Maxim Defense SCW Stock (Shortest DI Configuration)

You don’t need to go with a piston-driven upper to achieve that “super shorty” setup. Maxim Defense manages to squeeze their SCW stock setup down to just 4″ collapsed, while retaining the AR’s direct-impingement gas system. You’ll still need a modified bolt carrier and buffer, though. Maxim provides options ranging from the typical 3.3-oz buffer, up to an H3, to accommodate most cartridges. The SCW stock features an extended cheek rest and no-button deployment, with 5 positions of adjustment — all weighing in at just 14.6 ounces. That makes this shortest setup one of the lightest options, too. The SCW stock doesn’t come cheap, but it trades affordability for convenience and reliability. Grab yours in tan or black for $570 to $610.

OAL Open: 4″
OAL Closed: 8.8″
Weight: 14.6 Oz.
Stock Positions: 5

Primary Arms “Q” Shorty Stock (Honorable Mention)

Primary Arms’ “Q” PDW Stock doesn’t necessarily do anything unique, or different, compared to the other entrants on our list – but it’s a fine, affordable PDW stock that just looks good. Priced at around $300, the Q PDW stock affords a shortened butter assembly with a proprietary 3.0-ounce buffer and spring. The cheek rest is contoured nicely for a comfortable sight picture, and the 2-position adjustable stock provides plenty of bite, thanks to some pointy knurling out back. The steel stock rods are large and rugged, and the QD stud built into the cheek rest is a nice touch. Compatible with all mil-spec AR receivers, the Q is a great alternative to many of the more expensive options on our list – and you get to run your stock bolt carrier.

Travis Olander

Travis is a retired Joint Fires NCO, firearm collector, and long-range shooter with a penchant for old militaria. He reviews guns, knives, tactical kit, and camping and hiking gear.