Magpul celebrates 20 years in business here in 2019. They've grown much since 1999, from the simple magazine pull, up to hundreds of products among different lines. Clothing, gun belts, sunglasses, and of course, the PMAG are at the forefront of Magpul 's product list. Despite this, I want to focus on an older product and knock out a Magpul CTR review.
The Compact/Type Restricted (CTR) is one of the first AR stocks that Magpul introduced into the market. It is over a decade old but still remains a commonly used stock despite its age. Designed and marketed as an upgrade to the original MOE line of carbine stocks, the CTR shares the form factor, but not the features of its cheaper brother.
The CTR has the same iconic triangular look and adjustability as the MOE, but with two major changes. The stock sports a secondary lock forward of the length adjustment lever, and a quick detach point for a sling. These are both welcome features, as the MOE has slop on the buffer tube that the CTR's lock fixes. The QD point was something that was nice to have in 2009, but a necessity in 2019.
I like lightweight things, and the CTR is that. Weighing in at only 8.8 ounces, the CTR is fairly svelte compared to the likes of stocks such as the (generally) 12-ounce SOPMOD. The trade off is that the stock's profile does not offer the same cheek weld as generous as the SOPMOD and does not have a storage compartment. For me, those are non-issues, but for others, this could be a deal breaker.
To me, the CTR is the epitome of the phrase "everything you need, nothing you don't". It is bare bones, but with enough features to satisfy the user. It's attractive, simple, and available in a large selection of the colors of the tactical rainbow.
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The Magpul CTR review was one I was looking forward to doing since it is so simple. Once you adjust it to the proper position on the buffer tube, you lock it in place, and it stays...usually. I shoot my rifles with the stock in the fully collapsed position, and for the CTR, the secondary lock does nothing when used like this. The stock still has a tight, low wiggle fit on the tube, but it's a bummer that the lock is not used when fully collapsed.
The sling slots and the QD point on the stock are all in the right spots. These sling mounts are ambidextrous and solid construction.
A rubber buttpad is used on the CTR, which aids in keeping the gun from slipping while in use. It is not too grabby and is not too big. It is the Goldilocks of buttpads for stocks.
The cheek weld on the CTR is good enough for me. After about a year of exclusively using the SOPMOD, I was worried that I would have become too adjusted to the big cheek weld of that stock. However, the CTR still has enough of a ledge to facilitate comfortable shooting.
Durability is a spot where anything Magpul shines. The various CTR stocks I've owned over the years have gotten dropped, thrown around, and slung, without a single issue. Just the same as any adjustable stock, if you have to mortar the rifle, collapse the stock before you do, or you will break something.
I've been using the CTR stock for a number of years. I bought my first one back in 2014, and have been hooked since. I've owned many over the years and ended up donating many to friends who were assembling ARs. The CTR is my default stock for any new rifle project, as I've found it to hold all of the qualities that I like in a stock; simplicity, durability, and sling mounting options.
I'd recommend the CTR to anyone who's looking for a general do-all stock for their rifle.
The Magpul CTR was purchased at the cost of the author from Brownells.
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Magpul is one of those companies that innovates on a regular basis. My only regret was that they never finished the development of the PDR. That would have been cool.