Magpul CTR AR15/M16 Stock
When you shoulder your rifle you have 4 points of contact to your weapon: your grip, your support hand, your cheekweld, and your stock. I would argue that the contact point your stock makes is the most important of the four. At a recent carbine class taught by LMS Defense, it became even more apparent that if your stance is not correct, everything about your shooting will suffer.
Magpul Industries has made several stock options available to the rifle shooter in recent yrs, and today we are looking at the CTR stock. The CTR stock is a direct drop in replacement unit that will fit over your existing commercial or mil-spec carbine buffer tube. Made from high strength polymer, and available in three colors, the Magpul CTR offers a better cheekweld, and more secure lockup over the standard six position AR-15 stock. You can also use the optional rubber buttpad to improve stability on your shoulder, and reduce felt recoil
The adjustment controls are slightly different from the standard carbine stock, but they are easily learned and quickly become second nature after a few range sessions, or a class. Whereas the standard stock has one lever that has to pull double duty as both the adjustment and locking mechanism, the CTR stock has one lever to control the length of pull adjustments, and one that controls the locking mechanism.
The CTR also ambidextrous sling mounts for QD, 1.25" loops, and a lanyard hole for custom setups. There is also a riser system that allows for even more adjustment for those not using the CTR on an AR-15 rifle.
I first used the CTR at the LMS Active Shooter Response class in Albuquerque in November of 2007. The first thing I noticed was the improved cheekweld. I like to have the stock placed more towards the middle of my chest, and with some stocks this is near impossible, but the CTR makes it easy. It is narrow enough for it to be positioned where it needs to be, but wide enough for it to spread out the recoil of the weapon. The stock also has enough adjustability in it for just about anyone to be able to use the CTR.
The CTR is also much stronger than a standard carbine stock. At a separate class a student had a stuck case in the chamber of his rifle, and used the “slam the buttstock on the ground” method to dislodge it. He got it out, but he also broke the locking mechanism on his stock. I also had the same malfunction in my rifle, and used the same method to fix mine. The difference was that my stock didn’t break. Guess he should have had a CTR huh?
It should also be said that the installation on the CTR takes about 30 seconds. Simply slide off your existing stock, and slide on the CTR. It couldn’t be any easier.
So if you are looking a replacement for your standard carbine stock that will give you a better cheekweld, more solid lockup, and won’t break the bank, the CTR by Magpul Industries should be on your short list.
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Magpul Inc.
Tim P.