The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: Cutter68CB on February 23, 2010, 10:50:02 PM
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I haven't seen anything on here about how to deploy the forward pistol grips...What I mean is, is there a science to where and how it is located to best assist the shooter? Do you just place it where you feel the most comfortable with it? I have a pic showing 3 AR's with forward grips. The bottom 2 M4-gery's are my kids carbines (12 and 14)and I thought the grips may make it easier for them. Any thoughts out there on the subject??? Thanks ahead of time for any responses.
Cutter
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I have to mount mine to the rear because of the flashlight in front of it. It feels comforable where it is but a little further ahead would work with my arm length. Trial and error may be the best way to do it.
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I think it's pretty much what feels right for the individual. A bit like stock length. On some of the "multi task" forends that deploy into a bi-pod with the pressing of a button, I would think those would be mounted a little more forward. Bill T.
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I think that the current trend is that the farther forward the better. But Billt is right - whatever feels best is works the best for you is the way to go.
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I'd also imagine that you would have to take into account the application of the carbine. If your environment is tight you surroundings are telling you that your operating at close range, I'd move it in forward towards you to get the most barrel movement out of the least arm movement. If your shooting further out I'd move the grip further out to lessen that sensitivity. At the same time I'd think that you would transition your grip from a broomstick style hold on the grip to a more traditional hold using the grip to stabilize you aim the further out your target. Personally I like the little stubby grips better. And of course the actual location of the grip is all relative to the shooter's size.
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BillT is right, but the further forward you mount it the more stable your offhand shooting will be.
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How does the farther forward the grip go make your offhand shooting more stable? I believe the opposite. Putting that support arm as far forward as you can gets real heavy, real fast. Lets try a little drill. Bend your support arm to about a 90 degree angle, rest the back of the upper arm against your side and see how long you can hold it. Then take the same arm, extend the arm out a little farther but don't rest it against your side. Which feels more stable?
I fire my AR type rifles with my support hand gripping the mag well normally. I do have a grip with a light attached to it mounted a little farther forward. If I need the light I reach out and use the grip, otherwise I'm gripping the mag well. I also found that I needed to mount the grip a little more forward so that it didn't interfere with loading/reloading 30 round pmags.
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How does the farther forward the grip go make your offhand shooting more stable? I believe the opposite. Putting that support arm as far forward as you can gets real heavy, real fast. Lets try a little drill. Bend your support arm to about a 90 degree angle, rest the back of the upper arm against your side and see how long you can hold it. Then take the same arm, extend the arm out a little farther but don't rest it against your side. Which feels more stable?
I fire my AR type rifles with my support hand gripping the mag well normally. I do have a grip with a light attached to it mounted a little farther forward. If I need the light I reach out and use the grip, otherwise I'm gripping the mag well. I also found that I needed to mount the grip a little more forward so that it didn't interfere with loading/reloading 30 round pmags.
It creates a wider base..... Look through your scope and try both positions.... I find it to be more stable.
*If you hold long, you are holding wrong. ;)
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Keep using what works for you. Street to the Range Applicability has taught me what works for me.
I still believe that your body is more stable than your arm stretched out in front of you. Lets look at long range precision shooters. I'm not sure I have ever seen one with their arm stretched out to grip their forearm at the farthest point...
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ARs for you're 12 and 14 year olds? You are definately up there for dad of the year award. ;D But, I've shot with and without PGs. Personally, I don't see much advantage and a PITA shooting prone (never tried a stubby though). Are they worth it with a semi other than the "cool" factor? Note, I'm not knocking the cool factor, its your gun, do it how you want it, but for pure function do they buy you anything? The bipod models excepted of course.
FQ13
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I believe the concept of the forward grip was to manage recoil and muzzle rise. Dont know why anyone would need one on an AR. ??? Never thought of it being a help to kids, but it may be. The farthur back on the rifle will increase stability. I hope you all have those fold up grips ;D That way it wont interfer with the fog light and the can opener. ::)
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Had a pump shotgun forearm that allowed a pistol grip to be attached at an angle to the side, maybe 30 degrees. It did seem to allow more positive control during recoil and working the pump. I adjusted it for the most comfortable feel during the process.
It did, however, give me the impression that I was aiming with less precision than with a normal forearm grip. I doubt this mattered with a shotgun at Self Defense ranges though.
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I have always liked a more forward grip when shooting rifle off hand. It gives you more leverage against the muzzle end. To see some examples of this, google for youtube videos of Magpul Dynamics Carbine, or look for vids from some top 3 gun shooters such as Bruce Piatt or Jerry Miculek.
There are different ways to use a vertical foregrip. Some people use them more as an index point and a stop for the bottom of the support hand. Magpul Dynamics youtube videos might be a good way to see an example of this as well.
Everybody is different, but looking at some world class shooters and playing with different techniques might help you find what works for you and yours.
Awsome that you are teaching your kids with such nice rifles.
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I used to be anti vertical foregrip until i used one. They definitely increase your control over the weapon in a rapid fire scenario. But I agree with mounting it as far forward as you can get. A wider stance is more controlable.
And the number 1 no-no in AR firing is putting your hand on the mag well...very little stability, and if you have a kaboom moment.... goodbye support hand.