German manufacturer HERA Arms, whose parts are imported, distributed, and sold retail in the U.S. by LAN World, is about to release their CQR stock and forward grip for the AR platform, plus what appears to be a V2.0 of their AR-15 magazines.
The CQR stock is certainly a unique design, looking more like a precision bolt-action rifle stock (i.e. sniper-style stock) than a typical AR stock. Beyond the shape of the buttstock portion itself, this look is furthered by the fact that it includes the pistol grip all in one monolithic piece. Going by this photo, it appears to offer a handful of sling attachment points including a QD socket option, spacers to adjust length of pull, maybe a cheek piece riser, and some sort of storage compartment (edit: LAN World informed me that it’s a monopod area) on the bottom rear.
It will be available in black, FDE, and OD Green. Apparently this stock was designed for use by European NATO countries ramping up to deal with terrorist threats, and HERA currently has it in several military/police bids.
But the unconventional aesthetics of the stock are at least matched by those of the forward grip, which definitely brings to mind the FN P90. No idea at this time if the ATF would consider it a “vertical forward grip” and therefore make it a no-no on a pistol, but we’ll work on running that down. It does appear to integrate a QD socket, clip point on the bottom, hand stop, and angled grip. From the visible bolt heads in the photo, it’s possible or likely that grip panel sections will be swappable.
Also seen in the photo above is a rear-on view of HERA’s new magazines. I like the look of putting the grip texture on the front and rear but not the sides, and the look of the flush-ish baseplate. Note the magazines are prominently marked “5.56 NATO” along the front of both sides and “CAL 5.56” along the bottom of both sides. If they manufacture a 300 BLK and maybe other specific caliber-marked versions in the future, I’ll be very interested.
Left-side view. Clearly they’re planning on releasing a few colors. On a personal note, my 4-year-old daughter now likes to say “flat dark earth” when people ask her what her favorite color is. Haha, love it.
Don’t worry, Californians and residents of other “ban states” that prohibit “assault weapons” “features” like a pistol grip. HERA has you covered, too. The simple addition of a solid plate in the triangular area behind the pistol grip makes it, well, no longer a pistol grip. The result is one of the least weird-looking “compliant” stocks I believe I’ve come across. Perhaps the best part is that this aluminum plate is removable should the owner leave that state or if the laws change (insha’allah).
Fancy, feature-rich German parts tend to carry impressively-high price tags. Apparently that isn’t the case here, though. LAN World says the MSRPs are to be as follows:
• CQR Stock: $119 for standard version, $124 for AWB-compliant version
• CQR Forward Grip: $39
Cool. TTAG will be borrowing a CQR set for review (and some new mags when they’re ready). Stay tuned.