Magpul PRS Lite Review

 


A fair warning, if you want to jump straight to the review, skip down two paragraphs because I want to to tell you a short story first.

As soon as I heard about Hornady's new 6mm A.R.C. cartridge, I was immediately intrigued and knew I had to build a rifle chambered in it. I contacted BSF barrels and found out they were already producing prototypes with the new cartridge and I joined a waiting list and was one of the first to receive one of their first 18" barrels chambered in the 6mm ARC. Now that I had a barrel I started the process of buying everything else for the rifle. It took nearly 18 months to finally get all of the parts I needed to complete the rifle.  Part of the long wait was the buffer (CTS Engineering) which took more than 10 months, the Radian Builder set which took over 9 months, the BCG (CMC Triggers) which took a year and this Magpul PRS Lite stock which took about 8 months. 

I only bring this up because when Magpul announced it they said it was coming much sooner than it really did. Initially when Magpul announced the Magpul PRS Lite rifle stock, they announced it around January, with an anticipated release date around "early spring".  I initially planned to purchase the Magpul PRS Gen 3 rifle stock for this build, but after Magpul's announcement, they related it would be a full pound lighter than the PRS Gen 3 and a full $100 cheaper.  I was less concerned about the price savings (although $100 is still $100) and more interested in the significant weight savings. After purchasing the carbon fiber barrel, and a titanium muzzle break, I was interested in having a much more lightweight stock. So I decided to wait until "early spring" to purchase the Magpul PRS Lite. Unfortunately, Magpul in the early spring, changed their estimated time of arrival to "early summer".  By this time, I had already purchased my BCG and buffer which I was still waiting for so it wasn't a big deal at the time for Magpul to extend their ETA.  But then Magpul changed it yet again from "early summer" to "late summer", and then from "late Summer" to "early fall", and from "late fall" and it appeared they finally just gave up and took away the ETA from their website. Finally, after a year I received my long awaited BCG and then the only thing I was missing was the PRS Lite Stock, and then one fateful day in the end of December, the black version of the PRS Lite came in stock (I was checking daily) and I bought it immediately.  The Stock arrived a few days later (on December 23rd) and I assembled the last part of the Rifle on Christmas Eve. I then put it under the Christmas tree as one of the coolest Christmas presents I had ever given myself.


Okay, on with the review! My first piece of advice is if you opt to use the PRS Lite, utilize a flat end plate.  I went with the Radian end plate which is SUPER nice but it comes with a QD attachment point. This presented a problem when I went to install the stock, as where the stock butts up to the endplate is flat and the QD attachment point protruded slightly.

Not that I would have been okay with a gap like that anyways, but the gap completely prevented me from installing the stock. 
The metal insert which goes in the above hole was hitting the bottom portion of the buffer tube (I am using a Sons Of Liberty Gun Works A5 buffer tube).

I took a Dremel with a sanding drum to the stock where it mates up with the end plate and domed it out a bit.  
After the small modification, the stock installed very easily with just one allen head bolt.  If you have a flat endplate the install should take less than 2 minutes. 

The stock feels pretty solid once installs.  There is zero wiggle when twisted from left to right.  

When compared to the Magpul PRS Gen 3, the obvious differences are the lack of manual controls.  When adjusting the PRS Lite, the comb height and the length of pull are both adjusted with a 5/32" Allen wrench. 


The PRS Lite is approximately 1/2" shorter in length than the PRS Gen3. 


It looks like the shortened length is attributed to the 1/2" smaller butt pad.

When adjusting the stock, disregard the comb height instructions as they provide the wrong size Allen wrench.  A 5/32" Allen wrench is utilized for both adjustments.


The length of pull adjustment is adjusted with one allen head bolt.  Once loosened, the length can be adjusted to almost any desired length. 


The comb height adjustment is also just one allen head bolt positioned under the cheek riser.  I found it easier to access when the butt stock was extended a bit. You can see it utilizes little teeth which gives you many small adjustment points. 

I have two small complaints about the PRS Lite. Even after fully tightening the check riser, there is some flex and play in the front part of the cheek riser.  It actually will move at the front by about a 1/8" up and down when pushed on from the top/front portion of the cheek riser.  And it will even make a small clicking sound when you push on it. I wish they would have added a second post and second Allen bolt so it would have two points of securement. 

Additionally, after publishing my YouTube review I noticed after the length of pull bolt is tightened completely, the stock will move forward and backward by about 1/8" to 1/4" when you pull on it. Not that it is a huge issue as the stock will have no reason to be pulled on backwards.  But it is a bit annoying as if you have a sling attached it will be pulled outward by 1/4" and then when you pull it to your shoulder it will move back forward again. I really expected the stock, once fully tightened down, to be rock solid.  And for the most part it is, but the small amount of play is disappointing. 


It should also be noted the PRS Lite does not come with mlock slots like the PRS gen3 does, so if your set on using a monopod, then go with the gen3.


Overall I am very happy with the PRS Lite.  I love how lightweight it is. I love how easy it is to install, and how easy it is to adjust. I think it looks fantastic and has all of the features I was looking for in a stock. It feels great once you get it adjusted to your liking, and despite the play when pushed and pulled, I didn't notice the play when actually using the stock.  I would still recommend this stock as a great lightweight and inexpensive option for your next precision rifle build.

If you want to watch my YouTube review of this stock, you can find it here:

If you want to buy a Magpul PRS Lite rifle stock, they are now shipping via Brownells and you can find them at the following link (it helps me out when you buy through the link); 























  

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