folding stock
A type of firearm buttstock that can be folded while not in use, either to the side, bottom, or top. It usually has a hinged attachment to the receiver and can be folded forward to shorten the overall length of the gun. The hinge usually has a locking mechanism to prevent accidental or unwanted movements of the buttstock. When stability is not needed, the gun can be folded down to save space, be concealed, or held with one hand or nearer to the core; when stable aim is needed, the buttstock can be quickly extended and held to the shoulder. It is the most prominent feature in most modern weapon design.
Notable examples
Bottom-folding stock
Side-folding stock
- AKS-74 and most Kalashnikov rifle designs manufactured after its introduction.
- H&K G36 and variants
- H&K UMP and variants
- IMI Galil series
- M1A1 Carbine
- Uzi, Micro Uzi and Mini Uzi