I’ve have had the Otto Arms PDW stock for some time now. Before writing the review I was hoping to give it a go on the SCAR heavy 7.62 model. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty in obtaining SCAR rifles this was a no go. I’ve exclusively run this stock on my Scar 16S since September 2016 and saying I’ve been pleased with its performance is a little bit of an understatement. The Otto Arms PDW stock is quite amazing.
A New Kind of PDW stock
I’ve ran PDW style stocks from a few different companies and I’ve never been a naysayer on the idea or design. I’m not a fan boy, but I can respect wanting to go as short as possible on a long arm. In my experience the Otto Arms PDW stock addresses a lot of weakness that similar stocks from companies like Troy have.
Strengths of the Otto Arms PDW stock
The biggest and best strength is that to deploy the stock from the closed position all I have to do is grab it and pull it to the desired length. I can do this one handed and do not need to press a latch, a button, or any type of releasing device. Just grip and rip rearward. This makes deploying the stock not only easier, but faster and creates less fumbling when deploying the rifle from bag, or vehicle.
The next strength is the addition of a cheek rest. Otto Arms produces two style of PDW stock and the extended cheek weld variant is the one to go with. For a hair more weight you can comfortably rest your cheek on the rifle when firing it. PDW stocks on ARs have to contend with a buffer tube, but the SCAR does not so this isn’t an issue.
PDW over Folding Collapsing
First and foremost why would one consider a PDW stock over the tradition Scar stock. The Scar stock collapses and folds so it gets well out of the way. The Otto Arms PDW stock is fast to deploy first off. A minor issue, but one that should be noted.
Secondly the rifle has an overall thinner profile than it would with the standard Scar stock folded. This makes storage a bit easier. The Scar stock can only fold to the right as well, which makes it difficult for lefties to deploy.
The standard Scar stock is quite nice for a standard stock, but it’s also well known for breaking in heavy use. It doesn’t snap in half, but the small teeth tend to be easily chipped away and broken. That isn’t an issue with a collapsing stock.
Lastly, the standard Scar stock looks like an Ugg boot.
On the range
Firing with the stock has remained comfortable. Even as my beard has changed size and shape it’s never pulled hair out of my face. It’s adjusts easily enough, but as a big guy I just take it to six and call it a day. The releases to collapse the stock is ambidextrous, and nice and large, very easy to release.
Once locked into place there isn’t any wiggle to it. It stays firmly in place round after round. This was an intial concern because just by looks alone it doesn’t seem as solid as a standard stock. I’m happy to report I beat the hell out of my guns, and the Otto Arms PDW stock hasn’t budged or really even wiggled.
The use of nothing but metal has made a strong stock. As a bonus all of the screws are 2.5mm and 3mm. This means they are interchangeable with the screws in the rifle. This means the same tools for your rifle are compatible with the Otto Arms PDW stock.
Downsides?
The only downside I see is that is adds one more shade of FDE to my Scar, but so did my standard Scar stock. The color guy at FN really can’t make up his mind.
Going Short
My overall plan is to make my Scar into an SBR and specifically a PDW that FN created some time back. This stock is the only option I’m aware to do such things with. It just so happens to be a solid performer in every way. It certainly earns my seal of approval. Check out Otto Arms here.
