Can I Get an AR15 in Wood?

The most iconic ArmaLite Rifle (AR) can be fitted out differently from the normal grey and black. An AR15 in wood is possible, for that stylish and timeless look which mold polymers don’t have. With the right combination of the best materials, and craftsmanship, furnishing your AR15 in wood will indeed add to its appeal. 

Is There Anything Wrong with a Wooden AR15?

It’s quite alright to want something unique for your AR15. However, I have heard some traditionalist quarters claiming that wooden furniture has no business being on an AR. 

On the other hand, some feel the way commercially available AR15s look basic and mean. Others don’t like the way black molded polymer feels or has a problem with the weight added to the weapon.

To say that getting wood on an AR15 is a fad would be an understatement. I have witnessed several reputable manufacturers producing wooden AR kits to pander to their growing fan base.

You can get full wooden furniture sets from precision firearms, Windham Weaponry, Brownells or LUCID. Woodcraft experts also build their own customized wood AR15 kits though this is a time-intensive process.

I have had a long term ambition to build my AR15 wood furniture. I hope to challenge discriminators of the American Rifle as an evil black tactical weapon, unsuitable for private ownership. 

Yes, the AR15 is an assault rifle in designation, but I consider mine more of a sports utility gun. I can shoot up the range, and I feel safe with my AR15 as a choice of home defense weapon.

In the woods, you’ll find me in my woolens, putting this rifle through light plinking. The only thing that I change depending on what I am shooting is the magazine. 

You won’t see me toting my AR16 with a high capacity mag through the fields instead of a 5-rounder, which makes more sense.

Substituting the standard dark plastic of an AR15 with stained wood would make this rifle unconventionally different in appearance. That’s not such a bad thing in a retail society where every other AR15 out of the Colt factory tends looks exactly like the next one. 

Does Wood Affect the Performance of an AR15?

Adding high-quality wood furniture on your AR15 works wonders for its aesthetics and your bragging points. While also being comfortable, an AR15s pistol handgrip in wood can improve your aim.

You can find your desired ergonomics, including grip angle, texture, and finish at an affordable price. While I can’t say this will make the rifle less devastating, an AR15 in wood furniture is neat. 

A lot of interest surrounds what an AR15 rifle is capable of. Despite its being responsible for several mass shootings, this automatic rifle

Wood furniture on an AR15 will add no value to the capabilities of the weapon. If you are not careful, some customized wooden parts can also increase the rifle’s weight. 

Getting your AR15 in wood won’t decrease the weapon’s utility, but some wooden handguards may split from an overheating barrel. The armed forces specify M-16 FOW or TDP heat shields, and aftermarket handguards should be free-floating.  

In matters accuracy, there’s no saying how differently your AR15 will be zeroing after adding the wooden furniture. Your wooden stock may prove too heavy or feature no adjustability as is common with most custom jobs.  

Make sure that when you add personalized wooden grips, their grooves will fit any shooter that may use the rifle. Just like with knives, a pistol grip that slips or is uncomfortable will compromise shot placement.

If you don’t mind not being taken seriously by naysayers at the range, get an AR15 in wood and show them down. Walnut stocks, Indian rosewood or ebony wood grips with palm swells and vented handguards won’t affect the performance of your rifle. 

What to Know Before Kitting Out Your AR15 with Wooden Furniture Sets 

Discounted sets for AR15 furniture can be bought from Blackwood trading, Brownells, Tactical Skeleton, or Boyds. A tapered or triangular carbine handguard would go well with your tactical rifle, mounted with front round cups.

Grab an unfinished set, and personalize your style even further at a custom wood shop or with an art kit. Sets can also be modified to suit your AR15, with natural wood stocks and handguards for the classic appeal.

Solid wood pistol grips and fixed stocks are made from a single block of nutmeg wood. This ensures strength and an even grain or matching staining. 

Set designed handguards will vary in length according to which AR15 model you have. Multiple barrel sizes for this definitive firearm will require either carbine, rifle, or MID handguard lengths.

Compression style AR15 models will feature wooden handguards that can’t be fitted as free-float ones. The difference, however minimal, means that the handguard has its front cap by the delta ring and gas block.

This is as opposed to free-float handguards that have triangle front caps.

Take the wooden rifle stock sets from Boyds for instance; these are designed for AR15 rifle models with a fixed stock and an A2 buffer tube. While being CNC’d to Boyds’ House Action, this stock will not fit adjustable AR15 models. 

For some standard sets, minor variations may be done to get a perfect fit onto your AR15. Unless you are an OCD sufferer, minor imperfections in the cosmetic of your wood furniture shouldn’t be considered a defect. 

You may find mineral lines, knots, heartwood, or burls adding to the authenticity and personality of your AR15.

Guide to Single-Piece and Laminate Wood Furniture Sets for AR15

What exactly are you getting when you order pre-designed wooden furniture sets for your AR15? 

Being in the know regarding wooden furniture types for your AR15 can alleviate future aggravation. Telling the difference between compressed hardboard and real solid wood will also factor in the price you pay, alongside your quality expectations. 

Laminate Wood Furniture Sets for AR15s

Laminated wood sets are more common in the firearm furniture market than high-quality natural wood. With laminate stock sets, what you see is what you get; durable strength with the absolute lack of personality. 

All you’ll see is a small variance in the so-called grain, which is layers of wood glued and pressed together. Makers of laminate wood furniture sets claim it’s stronger and less prone to environmental factors than one piece of wood. 

Other than a bit of sanding, laminate wood stock, grip, and handguard sets are commercial in nature, appearance, and prevalence.

Show up at the range with similar models of AR15s that have laminate furniture from the same manufacturer and it might be tricky telling yours apart. 

Laminate wood sets have their pros too, including a lower price. While they do indeed last long, whether or not they’ll handle recoil or a heating barrel better than single wood pieces hasn’t been tested. 

Such a test would require a single rifle that’s kitted out twice, once with laminate and then with single piece wood furniture. A pair of AR15s with equal ballistic attributes could also feature, each with its type of wood furniture.

Some laminate wood brands are well textured, smooth, and solid enough to appear as though plastic. I have seen some single piece wood furniture breaking, but not laminated versions.

Chipping on the other hand may happen with wear and tear. Some laminate sets have also been known to lose the edge finish and can snag or get caught in clothing. 

If you have an AR15 and you want it to look great at a fraction of the price, laminate wood stock sets are the way to go. 

Single Piece Wood Furniture for AR15s

An AR15 furniture set of cocobolo or cherry wood will have been carefully shaped then hand or machine carved by a master craftsman. 

Take for instance the AR15 wood stock sets from Blackgunswood, including a pistol grip, buttstock, and handguards. These are produced from high-quality walnuts with an oil finish that’s hand-rubbed in.

You can also get unfinished single wood piece sets to further personalize. These products match your AR15s model that’s compatible with the standard buffer spacer tube as the stock style is A2.

With 4 variations of handguards, the wood furniture sets feature an ergonomically designed wooden pistol grip.

You can get handguards in traditional triangular 12 inches or the mid-length triangular design. Also available are carbine length triangular and round variations of AR15 single piece wooden handguards.

Sets from single pieces of wood are CNC’d for tolerance and the surfaces are hand shaped. For comfort and superior texture, craftsmen sand these furniture pieces and run oil for a hand-finished product.

You can acquire wood furniture made with precision and offer the comfort you desire when shooting your weapon. Standard length buttstock AR15 has stock and 12-inch handguards that fit without modifications between the delta ring and the triangular cup.

If your AR15 has the A1 standard buttstock, you can fit the buttstock spacer or special order an A1 length stock. 

Most Popular Rifle Accessories

Furnishing your AR15 with wood gives it a fine finish and great appearance. However, this does not affect its performance, ut here is a list of accessories that will not only impact performance but also ensure a great shooting experience.