The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Shotguns => Topic started by: Big Frank on December 20, 2022, 10:28:46 AM

Title: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on December 20, 2022, 10:28:46 AM
I think I found my next new firearm, the 12 gauge VRF14 from RIA-USA. A one-of-a-kind, detachable box mag-fed, pistol grip, 14” barrel, firearm. Mossberg can stick their Shock 'n' Saw where the sun doesn't shine. Sorry, Remington V3 TAC-13. My heart yearns for another now. And if it wasn't out of stock at Advanced Tactical, I could get it on sale for 80% less than the Remington.

https://www.armscor.com/vrf14

https://advancedtactical.com/VRF14/
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on December 20, 2022, 10:30:10 AM
Moar!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg_XCe0u1I0
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on December 20, 2022, 11:41:49 AM
It comes with sights but they wouldn't be much of use to me. I think I'd buy a Viridian HS1 Hand Stop Laser, Black with Green Laser, with a Two-Slot M-LOK to Picatinny Rail Adapter. Then cover the rest of the bottom slots with rail covers. And put a big tactical flashlight on top in place of sights since I would use it for home defense. Loaded with reduced recoil buckshot, like the 9-pellet 00 I just bought. And possibly a thumb stop on the left rail for consistent hand position.

But if I find out for sure vertical fore grips, not just horizontal chainsaw grips, are legal on "firearms" all that goes out the window. I never heard that you can't put one on, and I recall reading once that since they aren't pistols you CAN put a VFG on them. I already have an extra VFG that should work just fine on it. Then I would just put a plain laser and light on instead of the hand stop laser.

https://viridianweapontech.com/products/hs1-laser-with-picatinny-rail-adapter
 
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on December 22, 2022, 10:27:18 PM
I didn't check my email yesterday so I didn't know these were back in stock. They're sold out again today. They make a +2 mag extension for the VR80 box mags that's supposed to work on this too. They're probably the same mags. So instead of 5, 9, and 19 round mags for it, you can have 7, 11, and 21 round mags, plus they make a 21 round drum. I think I would stick with 5 and 9 round mags, but add the +2 followers, which they say need to be fitted by a gunsmith. I'm not a gunsmith but I know my way around a hammer. ;D I can fix anything with the right size hammer. ::)

Between a 2 pound ball-peen hammer and rubber mallet, I fixed my furnace last night. I'm not kidding. It's been running good all day, for the first time in over a month. I haven't been kicking it in the right place lately to jiggle the bad relay that's probably 40-50 years old and out of production, and got both doors all bent out of shape. Since I hammered out the doors I can kick it in the right place without the top door falling off and landing on the floor with a clatter and clang.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on January 26, 2023, 12:05:32 AM
I still don't have a VRF14, but I'm so sure I'm getting one that I started ordering mags and aftermarket parts and accessories for it. One package should be here Friday and another one Saturday. The Taylor Freelance +3 extended baseplate extends the 9-round VR80 shotgun magazine, which also fits the VRF14, by THREE rounds to 12+1, extends the 5-round mag by two rounds, creating a much-more-useful 7+1, and extends the 19-round mag by one round to get 20+1 capacity. If you live in a Low-Cap state, leave the 9-round mag's spring guide in place to limit the mag to 10+1. They also make a VR80 PRO Pad +0. It replaces the polymer factory basepad with durable aluminum CNC machined from bar stock.

I bought 4 red +3 mag extensions from Advanced Tactical because they were cheaper there than Taylor Freelance. I got Red because they don't have Black in stock and don't sell the Blue ones, and I don't want Anodized Gold or Raw Aluminum. I'll hit them with black spray paint if I ever want them to look more tactical. I don't know if the gun will have a 5 round or 9 round mag when I buy it. I'll take whatever I can get. Advanced Tactical only has 5 round and 19 round mags in stock, so I got a 5 and 2 19s. When I get the gun, I need to get an additional 5 round mag and a pair of 9 round mags, including whatever comes with it, so I'll have 2 of each. I have a pair of Black +0 basepads from Taylor Freelance on the way to put on the 19 round mags, and will put the 4 +3 mag extensions on the 5 round and 9 round mags, starting with my single 5 round mag. No plastic baseplates for me.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on January 26, 2023, 11:55:23 PM
I got an email Thursday that 9 round mags were in stock and ordered 2, but still no gun. Palmetto State Armory said they had some a few days ago, but when I clicked the link, the page didn't exist. These guns seem to sell out in minutes, especially at Advanced Tactical where they're still on sale for half price. Theirs are $300 off and another place that was selling them had them on sale for $50 off. I think they were out of stock too but can't remember that far back.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on May 14, 2023, 03:14:01 AM
I finally ordered my gun Tuesday. Wednesday my local dealer sent them their FFL along with my order number, and now I wait. Advanced Tactical is short staffed and 3-5 days behind on shipping, so it hasn't gone out yet. I ordered it without any extra mags since I already have them. It will have one 5 round mag, which I've had the extension ready for since January. That makes a total of 2 19 round, 2 9+3 round, and 2 5+2 round, since the +3 extensions are +2 on the 5 round mags.

I got a Strike Industries Ambush sling loop to mount a single point sling on it. This thing is pretty slick. It sits flat in between the rails so it won't interfere with your sights and fits under longer optics. It has dual purpose loop and QD socket sling attachments, and it's made of solid steel. They say this is the lowest profile sling mount anyone makes, and it is AFAIK.

https://www.strikeindustries.com/si-ambush.html
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on May 19, 2023, 11:06:05 PM
My firearm came in today, later than I expected. I slept in late so it didn't matter. I'll go get it when I don't have to be in a hurry. I won't have time to go to the gun store Saturday when they're really busy, and they're closed Sunday and Monday. The good news is they're open 11:30 - 7 Tuesday-Friday. Those are the kind of hours I can work around and still sleep all morning. :) Here's how the VRF14 looks compared to the VR60 shotgun. The whole mag-well is a lot more like a standard AR-10/AR-15 style. My Colt AR-15 has the mag release setting out in the open like that, with no fence around it. It's never been a problem but could be if I add an extended button. The rest of the gun looks about the same until you work your way back to the wrist of the shotgun. And the VRF14 comes with a set of flip-up sights that aren't on this one. Since it's all Picatinny rail it should take AR-15 sights. I'll try my A2 carry handle on just for the heck of it. I wonder if the uppers and lowers are interchangeable?
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on May 22, 2023, 04:27:29 AM
I edited the sights off the shotgun in Microsoft Paint and cut both guns down to the same length. Now they really look the same, other than the mag well. There's probably some difference between the uppers and lowers and the barrels that prevents you from swapping parts from one to the other to make a short-barreled shotgun. I don't know why it took over 80 years for manufacturers to come out with non-NFA firearms like the Mossberg Shockwave, etc., but I'm glad they did. The NFA is BS anyway, and this looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. If it lives up to all my expectations, it will be my new anti-bear, anti-bobcat, stay the heck out of my tent gun. 12 gauge Buck > .45 ACP. Coyotes are shy and never bothered me, and I haven't had any dealings with bobcats and other critters yet, but one time a bear was literally within spitting distance of me. The 19 round mags look like they could be awkward handling and best for just goofing off, but the 9+3 mags are about 6" shorter. They'll protrude roughly 9" instead of 15". I measured from the center of the mag at the top, straight across to the center at the bottom. If a bear gets too bothersome a baker's dozen of 00 buck shells should take the steam out of it. If not, that's what spare mags are for.

I still find it hard to believe that this American made firearm costs less than 1/4 what a Remington TAC-13 does. A gun which I would also like to have, but not for over a grand. And when your 5+1 rounds in the TAC-13 are shot it's too slow to reload for mere mortals like me. At GunBroker TAC-13s range all the way up to $1495.00 Starting Bid, while this is on sale for $299, exactly 1/5 the cost. If I like this one I may buy another. At that price, why not? I thought about getting 2, but didn't want to buy 2 at a time and get flagged for making multiple purchases.

Starting Bid $1,495.00. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/987285226

Now: $299.00 <--- WINNER!!! https://advancedtactical.com/vrf14/
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on June 02, 2023, 02:58:55 AM
I'm waiting for Advanced Tactical to get the UTG Ambidextrous Contoured Vertical Foregrip back in stock. The only person there who reviewed it said it's a perfect match for the handgrip on his VRF14, and feels very good. It's looks good enough to me in the picture I cobbled together. FAB Defense has one that looks better, but I don't think it's worth twice as much. Or maybe it is since it's extended far enough forward and back to keep your hand from ever touching the rail. I might get that one, since I finally just realized that. And I got a 10% off email coupon, but they don't have a black grip in stock. The rubberized one would be a good choice but I'd rather spend 17 bucks on a VFG (14 and change with my discount) than $49. TacStar Shotgun Grips are the closest match I ever found, but they don't make VFGs, just grips for the Remington 870, and Mossberg 500/590/600/Maverick.

https://www.leapers.com/utg-ambidextrous-combat-foregrip-symmetric-contourblack-rb-fgrp172b.html

https://fab-defenseus.com/ag-44/

https://fab-defenseus.com/rubberized-ergonomic-vertical-foregrip/
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Rastus on June 02, 2023, 07:55:14 AM
Don't leave the 19 round mag loaded.

It doesn't do well when loaded and left.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on June 03, 2023, 01:33:29 PM
Thanks for that, Rastus. Any advice on the 5 and 9 round mags?
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on June 03, 2023, 02:08:11 PM
For now I have the NcSTAR Aluminum AR15 Vertical Grip on and it feels pretty good. I may just stick with this one. I didn't think it would work out because the screw isn't enough to keep it secure on the rail. I looked in my bowl full of bolts and machine screws for something to put through the cross-holes, but nothing fit. Everything was either too large in diameter, or too short. I had number 10 screws that dropped in and went halfway in on each side, but no number 12 screws which would have fit tight. I did have one gold colored bolt with a matching Nyloc nut and washer that screwed in on one side, but it was WAY too short.

Then I saw a hot-dipped galvanized 10d nail lying there on my workbench and stuck it in the hole, and it was a pretty good fit. So I lopped it off with the bolt cutters, ground it down until it was just below flush and filed it smooth, and filed the two little gusset shapes off under the head of the nail that were there from when they made the head of the nail. Then the nail went all the way in and fit tight against the side, and the other end is either slightly below flush, or flush. I used a ruler as a straight edge and still can't tell. I chamfered the end and after I hit it with a paint pen it looks a lot like one of those custom 1911 slide releases. I did that after I put the big screw in the bottom of the grip and tightened it against the nail. I'm going to unscrew it and put blue Loctite on before I put it back in. I may smooth out the head of the nail too, just for GP.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Rastus on June 03, 2023, 02:55:25 PM
Thanks for that, Rastus. Any advice on the 5 and 9 round mags?

The 5 round seem solid.  9 rounders I don't know about.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on June 03, 2023, 06:00:14 PM
Good to know. With the +2/3 extensions, I don't know if they'll have any less tension on the springs, or more when they're fully loaded.

After I took some pics, UPS showed up with my muzzle brake, and another 19 round mag. I got the Taylor Freelance +0 baseplate directly from Taylor earlier today, and it took 5-10 seconds at most to swap them out. The muzzlebrake didn't go back far enough on the barrel to suit me, the 1st pair of screws were in front of the muzzle, so I cut the forend off at the back of the first Picatinny notch. Then I cut it at the front of the second notch, when I realized it's made like a vent rib barrel, and I had a little rib hanging off the end. :-[ I didn't notice that when I had it in the vise, looking down at the top. I squared it up, good enough for government work, with a file, put the brake on and called it day.

Yesterday was when I finally got my gun. I went to get it a week earlier but was delayed, after going in Tuesday that week and the NICS system being down. So much for "instant" background checks. First it didn't work, then when I was delayed, the dealer never got an answer. After 3 gubmint business days of waiting they let me have it. I read about one state, I think it was Oregon, where people were saying they never heard of a dealer in that state letting a gun go until the transfer was approved, no matter how long it took. If the instant check was delayed and took six weeks, you waited six weeks to get your gun.

My new gun dealer only charges $15 to transfer a firearm. My older brother said Williams Gun Sights wanted $50. Well, that's a no-brainer, even for him!

I cut and filed the bottom rear of the rear sight base just enough to square it off. That way I could butt it up against the sling mount and have it completely on the receiver, instead of the front of it extending onto the handguard. Because of the way everything on the sight base is angled it sticks out just a bit past the receiver, but not the part that's clamped down.

P.S. When I was working on it yesterday, I took the front sling swivel off, since I didn't plan on using it. The small screw with captive washer has a Nyloc nut, just like the swivel did. I wanted something to plug the hole and it fit.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on June 03, 2023, 06:49:18 PM
The only reason I bought another 19 round mag was Advanced Tactical had them on sale. They had the 9 round mags on sale too, really cheap. The 5 round mags weren't on sale, but I have another 5, a 9, and 2 more red +3 extensions coming. They should be here Tuesday. I would have bought black mag extensions, but I'd have to buy them from Taylor for full price plus shipping, like the +0 baseplates, instead of cheaper prices and free shipping on every order, except my gun. That was FedEx 2-day air, so it cost me, more than I'm used to paying to ship anything.

The charging handle is a Hayes Custom Guns Oversized Charging handle for VR80 shotguns. It's .130 longer and .075 larger diameter than the factory part, made of 303 Stainless Steel, is dimpled on both sides so it doesn't matter which way you put it in, and has 2 little tabs on the shank to prevent over-insertion. It also has greater texture over the factory part, and it's made in Texas, not Turkey, where the VR80, VR60 and other RIA shotguns are made. On the shotguns that are made so the bolt handle can be inserted from either side, if you lay it down on the side with the bolt handle down, it can force the bolt handle in too far. I don't know if that locks up the action or not, but it sounds like something you should try to avoid. The tabs on this bolt handle let you lay it on the "wrong" side if you want to.

https://hayescustomguns.com/
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on September 20, 2023, 05:59:50 PM
They say it takes 200 rounds of high velocity ammo to break in the VRF14 and shotguns like the VR60 it's based on. So Monday, before I came home from a long weekend up at my friends' cabin, I drove over to the woods where I used to camp and small game hunt. I found some targets of opportunity there, AKA a bunch of junk dumped in the forest, >:( and fired 255 rounds of buckshot at it. Mostly 00 Buck, but also some No.4 Buck. 10 rounds, maybe 15, were tactical buckshot (reduced recoil), but the other 240 or 245 were full power loads. I don't think it would have been possible to shoot anywhere near that much without the muzzle brake. I had a lot of failures to feed the first round of a magazine, but it worked a lot better when I pulled the bolt back and released it, instead of pressing the bolt release. It needs the little extra oomph that the longer stroke provides. The bolt released itself several times when I inserted a new mag, and I would have to pull and release the bolt handle to get the shell to feed the rest of the way. I also shot 4 12 gauge red flares I had with me. I flipped the sights up and aimed those, and recoil was non-existent. Not even a little kick like a .22 LR. Of course I had to manually work the action, but the stubby little shells all fed. That was really surprising since it's such a long way up from the magazine to the barrel. Unlike a regular shotgun with a shell lifter, there's just a very steep feed ramp. I had a bunch of birdshot with me too, but had enough shooting for one day. After having a couple of drinks and watching the bonfire I started with the flares, I packed up and went four-wheeling.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on September 20, 2023, 06:25:18 PM
I have a 500 lumen tactical light on the left forend rail, my old Streamlight Scorpion on the right side, and a red laser on the bottom rail ahead of the VFG. Having the VFG angled 45 degrees to the left made the gun more comfortable to handle. I had a piece of a red filter from a G.I. crookneck flashlight, cut to size and super-glued to the Scorpion light, but the muzzle blast blew it off. I had a THYRM CLENS Protector on the VISM tac light to keep it clean, but that got blown off too. I can move the light back 1/4" farther in its mount and that's about it, but the muzzle brake is badly smoking up the first inch of the light. I don't know when the CLENS Protector came off, but it really worked until it did. That one didn't stick well after I removed it and placed it back on the light. It seems like a great product, if you get them centered on the lens the first time. I'll use some glass cleaner to clean my lenses off, put new CLENS Protectors on both lights, and move them back in their mounts. I have a flip-off red lens cover somewhere in my living room that I think fits the Streamlight Scorpion. I need to look for it again, so I can have an eye-friendly light on one side again, and the dazzler on the other. 

https://thyrm.com/product/clens-protector/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6NTTsyKS-Q
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on October 21, 2023, 07:33:07 PM
This could be an alternative to the Knight's Armament Co. Masterkey, with a magazine capacity greater than 3 rounds. The barrel could probably be shortened a few inches and the weapon still function.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on October 27, 2023, 07:24:38 AM
5.11 makes backpacks my shorty shotty will fit in. The non-tactical blue colored one doesn't look much like a gun case. Too bad there are so many negative reviews about the case. It's too thin, the gun prints right through it, there's no reinforcement for the muzzle, and nothing to hold the muzzle in place, so it will wear a hole in the case, they used to be good but now they're crap, or something like that. It was probably 2 weeks ago when I looked at it and I can't remember much for that long.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on November 05, 2023, 10:02:32 AM
If I ever SBS this gun it will be super simple, and the parts aren't very expensive either. I would just need to file a Form 4, I believe it is, to get permission to manufacture an SBS, pay the tax and wait. NcSTAR makes their VISM brand of shotgun accessories that are fully compatible. All I would have to do is remove the End Cap and replace it with a Shotgun Telestock Tube - Commercial-Spec. I could also replace the End Cap with a Left Side Folding Stock Adapter or Right Side Folding Stock Adapter, and attach the Shotgun Telestock Tube to it. Then I could pick up a cheap commercial-spec AR carbine buttstock, like this Tacfire AR-15 Commercial M4 Style 6 Position Stock. I can get the Left Side Folding Stock Adapter, Shotgun Telestock Tube - Commercial-Spec, and Tacfire AR-15 Commercial M4 Style 6 Position Stock, all for less than $65 right now from Optics Planet.

https://www.ncstar.com/optics-acc/vg-series/shotgun-accessories/?per_page=100&current_page=1&sort_by=3

https://www.opticsplanet.com/
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on November 05, 2023, 10:23:08 AM
The NcSTAR VISM Shotgun grip adaptors are available for Mossberg 500/590 and Maverick 88 shotguns, Remington 870 shotguns, and now a Turkish shotgun ergonomic pistol grip adapter in black only is available. It's compatible with these Turkısh shotguns brands: Asil Silah, Altobelli Arms, Armsan, ATA Arms, Atlas, Aziz Arms, Balikli Silah, Derya Arms, Eşrefoğlu Silah, Hatsan Escort, Huglu Atrox, Khan Arms A-Tac Force Duo-Sys, Kral Arms, Oncu Silah Sanayi, Pardus Arms, Şafak Av, Set Arms, Torun Arms, Typhoon Silah, Uzkon TRX, Waltter Silah.

Derya Arms makes all the RIA tacticool 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotguns, like the VR80 and VR60, etc., but if you buy a Derya brand it won't have the RIA Imports Limited Lifetime Warranty. On the other hand, Derya Arms makes things RIA doesn't sell, like 9.5", 14", and 17" versions of the MK-12. The MK-12 IPSC Version comes in 5 different barrel lengths.

https://deryaarms.com/
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on December 18, 2023, 07:12:08 PM
My NcSTAR VISM didn't work anymore after I brought my gun home from the break-in shooting session, so I'll be sending it back for repair or replacement. In the meantime, I put a PL Turbo Valkyrie Tactical Light from Olight on the gun a couple weeks ago. The bar that locks into your rail is switchable from a narrow Glock size to narmal Picatinny thickness, and is adjustable to 3 different positions. You just slide it back and forth to where you want it, and when you clamp the light to the rail it stays put. It uses 2 CR123 batteries side by side which makes it nice and compact. It has a Long Focus & Wide Angle Simultaneously: with a max 66,300-candela light intensity, max 515-meter throw and 800-lumen output. The exceptional center spotlight and impressive floodlight helps to view both distant and nearby surroundings clearly. Their words. The latch for the battery compartment door flips up to unlatch and can't accidentally open while it's mounted. You have to take the light off to flip the lever. I think that security is worth the minor inconvenience. I got the black one, on sale. It lists right now for $89.99 for black or desert tan. The switches on each side are momentary switches if you hold either one, and regular on/off switches if you click either one. Clicking both of them at the same time activates the strobe. I bought a bunch of Olight AA and AAA flashlights too.

I put OD green ERGO LOW-PRO LADDER RAIL COVERS over most of the top rail. I bought it for one of my ARs when I thought I wanted OD green accents and bought several M-LOK rail covers to match. Now I think I want it all black.

https://www.olightstore.com/pl-turbo-tactical-flashlight-with-spotlight-and-floodlight

https://www.ergogrips.net/shop/ergo-18-slot-lowpro-ladder-rail-cover-3-pack/
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on December 18, 2023, 09:04:02 PM
I found a YouTube video on that WML.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPpHibRpv-w
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on January 04, 2024, 02:55:00 AM
The NcSTAR VISM 45,90,-45 Degree Side to Side Vertical Grip is really small in diameter at the top. I wrapped a string around it yesterday and measured it at a hair over 3.5" IIRC. I have big hands and I'm used to holding something in them with more girth. A lot more. Instead of trying to Jerry-rig the grip to make it bigger, I took it off and put my BCM Vertical Grip Mod 3, Picatinny - Black on it instead. It's a better fit to my hand, but it's only 2.5" tall and I can't get more than 2 1/2 fingers on it. I still have the aluminum vertical grip, but really liked angling the other grip 45 degrees to the side. If I molded some epoxy putty around it, doubling the diameter at the top, it would fit my my hand a lot better. Now I'm looking at the aluminum grip trying to figure out how to attach it to the 45,0,-45 pivot upside down, so my little finger would be in the narrow top groove. I might end up not using any of these 3 and having to buy another, bigger VFG. One that fits adult male hands, which the side to side adjusting grip won't unless that guy is a little person. BTW, the Picatinny rails on my gun are undersized and I had to put 2 or 3 layers of electrical tape on the bottom rail before I tightened the grip down over it.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on January 28, 2024, 07:44:33 PM
I put a different VFG on the gun Friday night/Saturday morning. The big hump om the backstrap and undercut at the top forces your forefinger way out past the rest of your hand, but the frontstrap is cut back for your trigger finger, which doesn't have a trigger or trigger guard to rest on. My forefingers naturally extend farther than the rest of my fingers when I start to curl them up, so my finger just wants to stick out, unsupported. I need a grip like an M1911 grip angle with the front and back parallel. The grip was apparently made for people with great big hands, and little tiny index fingers. I have a package of Strike Industries Strike Bang Bands, and a pack of Strike Bang Band Minis, so I put a Bang Band Mini on it, with the finger ledge turned inward to take up some of the excess space. It still doesn't feel close to being right, but It's batter than having nothing under my finger, or trying to curl my index finger around tighter than all my other fingers. But it makes the back of the grip feel worse. You get what you pay for, and in this case I got a $7 VFG from CDNN.

The regular Bang Bands have a cable channel guide, for cable management. They're reversible, with texture on both sides, and the cable channel guide is small enough to fit into M-LOK compatible slots. The Bang Band Minis let you add anti-slip finger grooves and texture to just about anything you want. And the inside is smooth. They're all made of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) and withstand heat up to 226° F, so the rail on your AR would have to be boiling hot before they melted. I took the crappy laser off the gun because the batteries in it died. It's too easy to bump the switch and turn it on without knowing it, so I probably turned it on when I set the gun down. I have 2 Bang Band Minis on my full-size Para-Ordnance, and one on my LDA 12-45. The P-10 grip isn't long enough to put one where it needs to be.

https://www.strikeindustries.com/bangband.html

https://www.strikeindustries.com/si-bangband-34mm.html


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DexJowYLSa4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ot1L99EFXg
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on January 28, 2024, 07:55:51 PM
The Picatinny rails on my gun are so undersized that I put about 5 layers of electrical tape on top on the grip to tighten up the space between the rail and grip. I cut the tape long and left it taped to the front and back of the grip to keep it in place while I slid the grip on. After I got it locked down, I puled the tape taut and cut it off with an X-acto knife. It worked quite well doing it that way. That was a lot easier than sticking tape to the surface of the rail, where only half of it made contact, or wrapping it around the edges of the rail like I did with the last VFG.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on February 09, 2024, 01:35:34 PM
I have a VFG on the way that I think I'll actually find usable, and comfortable enough. It's the Mission First Tactical (MFT) REACT Ergonomic Grip (REG). I ordered it from Wing Tactical yesterday, and got an email today saying they shipped it, the Strike Industries shotgun barrel clamp, and some other stuff. Strike Industries didn't have the black shotgun barrel clamp in stock, and probably won't for several weeks, but it was cheaper at Wing Tactical, one of their authorized dealers.

https://www.wingtactical.com/

Full fist-sized textured vertical grip with finger swells that provides a positive grip surface. This grip allows the support hand to apply rearward pressure to keep the weapon shouldered to enhance muzzle control and accuracy.

● Full sized vertical grip
● Contoured finger swells allow a firm grip even with gloved hands
● Secure watertight storage compartment
● Battery Sled with quick access tab diminishes rattle
● Flat non-slip bottom surface aids in supported firing positions

Weight: 2.3oz

Height: 4.601"

Width: 1.424"

Length: 2.203"

https://missionfirsttactical.com/REG

MFT also makes a REACT Quick Detach Grip (RQDG) I might like since it's even longer, and unlike a few of the grips I've already tried, it's smaller in diameter where your little finger goes than where your bigger fingers go. Instead of big where your little finger is and little where your bigger fingers are. But it's also like a hybrid of a broom handle style, so it may be too narrow. It's also a lot heavier.

Full fist-sized textured vertical grip that quickly detaches or attaches without the use of tools and provides a positive grip surface. Allows the support hand to apply rearward pressure keeping the weapon shouldered, yielding better muzzle control and accuracy.

● Quick detach vertical grip
● Grooved gripping surfaces to eliminate hand slippage
● Secure watertight storage

Weight: 4.0oz

Height: 5.096"

Width: 1.240"

Length: 2.00"

https://missionfirsttactical.com/RQDG

If I had a gun store, I would rig up a stock with a horizontal wheel up front and have a bunch of different VFGs attached, so people could shoulder it and hold each VFG until they found that one Goldilocks grip that felt just right. You could have 2 dozen small Pic rails screwed to the rim of a plastic bicycle wheel, and have a different VFG hanging from each one.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on February 15, 2024, 03:05:27 AM
My index finger set directly on top of the top ridge on the new VFG, instead of between the finger grooves. So like some Glock owners, I ground and filed it down, then sanded it with 80 grit sandpaper. I put the last VFG in the picture for a comparison. That thing is HEAVY. I put the Olight PL Turbo Tactical Light with Spotlight and Floodlight on after I took the pics.
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on February 17, 2024, 04:01:39 AM
Here's someone's idea of a zombie ready QD VFG.  :)
Title: Re: RIA USA VRF14 12 gauge firearm
Post by: Big Frank on March 12, 2024, 11:39:10 PM
Here it is with the VFG and the light back on it. And no sling loop on the back. Just a piece of foam rubber.