FOG HORN

2015
Twobirds Flying Publication

Magpuls Illusive MOE SL Buttstock Commercial Spec.

Copyright 2014, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

FOG HORN

2015
Twobirds Flying Publication

Magpuls Illusive MOE SL Buttstock Commercial Spec.

By: Sal Palma
stock and the SOPMOD Crane variant and
improves on the Magpul MOE in several ways.
First, it provides a wider cheek weld without
adding much to its girth, which translates to a
slim profile, improved operator comfort and
more consistent sight alignment when
transitioning from the low ready to on target.
When used with hearing protection the slope
along the length of the stock is more forgiving.
My review sample is a commercial specification
variant and will only fit a receiver extension
tube of 1.17 diameter the mil-spec tube is
1.15 in diameter; wall thickness between the
commercial receiver extension and the mil-spec
account for the 0.02 difference.
Magpul Industries launched the MOE SL
buttstock for the AR patterned rifles back in
August of 2014. It rounds out the MOE SL
carbine furniture offering.
MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) SL (Slime
Line) departs from the original MOE buttstock
in a number of significant ways that I like a
great deal. Selecting a buttstock for your rifle is
akin to buying a pair of shoes; your selection is
ultimately based on what works for you;
however, within that criteria there are points
worth considering.
In this reviewers mind, the MOE SL buttstock
sits somewhere between the basic USGI M4

Copyright 2014, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Magpuls Illusive MOE SL Buttstock Commercial Spec.

Amid the AR community lives a phobia of

looseness. We freak out when upper and lower
receivers are not rock solid and for the longest
time weve had to put up with loosely fitting
carbine buttstocks.
Magpuls MOE SL
eliminates looseness freeing us from that
irrational fear. This stock is tight!
Magpul achieves its rock solid fit by using two
steel tabs, port and starboard, that ride on the
receiver extension tube eliminating rotational
looseness and longitudinal movement. After
installing the stock, I decided to use a little dab
of lithium grease on the steel inserts, a decision
that seems to be working out well so far.

Magpul specs list the MOE SL as weighing 9.6

oz. which was inconsistent with my results. I
weighed the stock using two different digital
scales and got the same results of 8.64 oz. So,
the only conclusion that I can reasonably come
to for the 1 oz. difference is packaging. When
compared to the basic USGI buttstock, the MOE
SL stock is 2.5 oz. heavier.
Weve been conditioned to see weight as bad
and when your humping the weeds its hard to
rationalize heavier over lighter, but heres my
attempt.

2015

Over the years, weve accessorized the carbine

with lights, i.r. illuminators, vertical grips and
lasers all of which add more weight forward
towards the muzzle. The net of that weight
increase is a shift in the center of mass closer to
the muzzle. A slightly heavier buttstock
counteracts the forward weight and shifts the
carbines center of mass back and closer to the
shooters shoulder, which is generally desirable.
This stock also features a club foot that slopes
towards its toe, a design attribute that makes
purchasing the MOE SL desirable. The feature
makes shooting from the prone position, or a
barrier support, comfortable and closer to what
you would experience shooting a precision rifle.

MAGPUL added another touch to its MOE SL

design that makes shouldering the stock or
Copyright 2015, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Magpuls Illusive MOE SL Buttstock Commercial Spec.

transitioning from a low ready to on target

more consistent.

Looking at the butt pad, youll notice that it rolls

in at the toe, this provides consistency in
shouldering the carbine and transitioning from
the various readiness positions. Magpul also
included a subtle rake at the butt pad that
makes the SL more comfortable to use with a
plate carrier or other load bearing vest.

2015

support, under the MOE SL, without

inadvertently unlocking the stock. Great idea!
Last but not least, MOE SL comes standard with
two sling loops and two quick detach sockets
one port and one starboard. The sling loops
accommodate 1.25 webbing.
In conclusion, I like the MOE SL buttstock a
great deal. I found that it improved the
carbines balance, enhanced operator comfort,
and improved ergonomics when shooting from
the prone position or when using a barrier
surface for support. Least important is its snug
fit on the receiver extension tube. Is it worth
the $59.95 price tag? I certainly think so.
MAGPULs MOE SL stock is light years ahead of
the standard GI M4 buttstock and less bulky
than the SOPMOD variants.
-SP
Manufacturer Specifications

Everything on the MOE SL buttstock is

ambidextrous so southpaws have nothing to
complain about.
I especially like the dual side-release latch, a
feature that has gotten a cold shoulder in some
of the press. I disagree with that assessment,
and having a side-release lever makes it
possible to use sandbags or other buttstock

Features Mounts on commercial-spec

sized carbine receiver extension tube
(not included) from manufacturers such
as Bushmaster, DPMS, and others
(please see the note below)
Sloping cheek weld combines a slim
profile with user comfort.
Dual-side release latch provides easy
adjustment while remaining anti-snag.
Premium chrome-silicon lock spring
provides positive locking and long
service life.
Internal anti-rattle feature minimizes
wobble on receiver extension tube.
Rubber butt-pad offers an anti-slip
surface
and
increases
impact
protection.
Rollover on the toe allows for easier
shoulder transitions and better fit when

Copyright 2015, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Magpuls Illusive MOE SL Buttstock Commercial Spec.

using body armor Compatible with

Magpul ASAP, ASAP-QD, and other
receiver-mount sling attachments.
Rear Integral push-button QD swivel
sling mount accommodates up to 1.5"
swivels (ambidextrous).
Rear/Bottom - 1.25" sling loop
Specifications*
MOE SL, Commercial-Spec Weight: 9.6
oz.
Weight, w/ Rec. Extension: 14.9 oz.
Length, Maximum: 7.2 in.
LOP Adjustment Range: 3.8 in.
LOP, M4 Collapsed: 11.1 in.
LOP, M4 Extended: 14.9 in.

2015

dealers and distributors, turned out to be quite

the task hence illusive is appropriate.
When I finally managed to pick one up it was
cause for celebration!

NOTE: There are two basic sizes of M4 Carbine

receiver extensions (buffer tubes): mil-spec and
commercial-spec. If you have a mil-spec size
extension on your rifle, make sure to order the
Mil-Spec MOE SL. * Specifications based on
extended-length (slant-back) commercial-spec
carbine receiver extension and may vary
depending on tube manufacturer.
Addendum:
When I decided to use the term Illusive in
connection with the MOE SL Commercialspec, I was expressing a sense of frustration
with the reliability of MAGPULs product
availability notices.
One of the most difficult things for any business
to do is manage success, and Magpul Industries
is the classical example of that statement. In
fairness to the company and all of its
employees, theyve moved operations out of
Colorado and managed to keep supplying
customers with a variety of products; however,
acquiring a MOE SL Commercial-spec buttstock,
after 6 months of reading, Now shipping to
Copyright 2015, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved