CTK Precision P3 Ultimate Monopod Review
Many of you old timers know I usually write just one review per year. I don’t like to put my devoted minions out of work, but this year I have decided to go wild and write two reviews, this being the first … enjoy.
The CTK Precision P3 Ultimate Monopod piqued my interest because I have been wanting a monopod for my primary hunting/general purpose bolt-action rifle, a Tikka T3 in 7mm-08. I looked at buying aftermarket stocks, designed for the target shooting and law enforcement market, but these are ridiculously expensive and not designed for my use-case in mind. The P3 adds monopod functionally to a wide range of rifle stocks, while adding little weight or cost.
Tikka T3 Rifle With P3 Ultimate Monopod Attached
The P3 attaches to a standard hunting-style rear sling swivel, in much the same way as bipods attach to front sling swivels. There are adapter, costing $12 each, which allow the P3 to be used with a A2-style AR-15 stock and the Magpul PRS stock.
Sling Swivel Attachment
Rubber pads on the top of the P3 protect the stock from damage. The large knurled thumb nut makes it easy to tighten it up very tight. It is not idiot proof … I over tightened it and struggled to get it unhooked from my rifle, breaking my Butler Creek front scope cap in the process … lesson learnt.
You will notice in the above photo that there is a sling swivel attached to the side. That sling swivel can be screwed into either the right hand side or the left hand side or removed altogether. There is another sling swivel attachment point built into the tension stud (underneath the thumb nut), you can see it in the below photo.
The P3 has a two-stage adjustment system. The first stage is a spring loaded cam lock leg. This leg is unlocked by twisting it 45 degrees. It can be locked right up inside the main body for storage or in six other positions depending on the length required. For fine changes in elevation, the threaded second stage leg allows easy micro adjustments.
Being able to quickly collapse the first stage adjustment is a nice feature, unfortunately it cannot be made to extend to a pre-designated point upon opening. You must unlock it, then adjust it back to the correct cam slot, which are not numbered or marked in any way. CTK should look at adding a mechanism which would allow the user to sent the maximum distance the first stage can extend. This would save time fiddling around at the range or in the field.
First stage almost closed, second stage closed.
First stage opened fully, second stage closed.
First stage almost closed, second stage opened part way.
The foot of the monopod is made from Delrin, a low friction plastic, and it rotates 360 degrees. I tested it on a number of different hard surfaces and it allowed easy movement. The last thing you want when trying to adjust your aim is sticky rubber preventing windage movement.
My Tikka T3 again.
The P3 is made of CNC machined aluminum billet and weighs 5.4 oz. It feels very solid. It would take a lot of effort to damage it. As I said before, it mounts securely and fine adjustments are easy to make. I would prefer a slightly different first stage mechanism but I think many other people would argue that a simpler mechanism is a better mechanism. At $160 is it a lot cheaper than buying a high-end semi-custom sniper-style stock.
Original Review: The Firearm Blog