What's the point of a vertical foregrip on an AR15?

[jokat989]

to stop your hand from moving out of position

[Javi]

Hmm. I'm guessing from rapid fire?

I've never used a vertical foregrip but I don't like them haha. Don't like that every DD I see in Turner's holiday flyer come with one. I wouldn't mine trying it out on someone's rifle but I won't buy one, I don't see the need to for myself . Hand stop: I'd get that for an AR-15 pistol.

[socal-shooter]

vfg = good little stash spot for batteries, allen key, bullet button tool etc

[shooting4life]

So your pictures on the Internet are cooler.

[negolien]

It's actually a differant shooting technique.... Look at a majority of comp shooters and even combat situations.... The Thumb over hold has become quite popular... and does allow for freedom of right arm manipulation quite nicely. Fast CQB work in tight situations allows the VFG to be to good use imho.

[Merc1138]

Hmm. I'm guessing from rapid fire?

I've never used a vertical foregrip but I don't like them haha. Don't like that every DD I see in Turner's holiday flyer come with one. I wouldn't mine trying it out on someone's rifle but I won't buy one, I don't see the need to for myself . Hand stop: I'd get that for an AR-15 pistol.

No...

It's so your hand doesn't change position. Maintaining the same position is being consistent. A rear handstop usually involves rear-ward pressure pulling the gun into your shoulder. A forward handstop would be in front of your hand. Either way, your hand is always going to be in the same spot.

[Javi]

That's kind of what I was getting at with rapid fire, that your hand position could change from shooting faster. Or do you mean when you mount the rifle, that your hand is in the spot you want it in every time? Doesn't sound like something I'd need, at the moment.

[TXDARKHORSE361]

Like everyone has said it is all on personal preference and that is always subject to change, I've usually rocked some kind of fore grip or grip pod on my military issued rifle and personal AR's, I was pretty fond of the plain nothing special VFG but I never held onto it as a lot of people do, basically used it as a backstop for my hand while using the thumb over barrel technique but after trying out the Magpul AFG I was sold and that's what I currently use.

ran this setup for awhile


Eventually switched to this setup


I like switching between the magwell and the handguards so that's why I like this setup, The Mako Group makes a pretty cool product that acts as a magwell funnel/grip that just bolts on real easy which is what I have on the magwell in the second picture, they have them for $25.50 on their website, http://www.themakogroup.com/product_p/mwg.htm

But like everyone has said there are thousands of aftermarket products out there for the AR and there's always gonna be something you like better down the road.

[Huge Grant]

I run a VFG (grippod) *and* AFG on my AR, cuz I can't decide which I like best right now. (One side effect is my carbine looks frickin cool!) Generally, I find the VFG more natural for CQ/swinging between short distance targets. For longer distances... say, shooting an 8-inch steel plate from 100+ yds standing... I find the AFG allows for greater accuracy. To each his own.

[Merc1138]

That's kind of what I was getting at with rapid fire, that your hand position could change from shooting faster. Or do you mean when you mount the rifle, that your hand is in the spot you want it in every time? Doesn't sound like something I'd need, at the moment.

If your hand position is changing from muzzle flip and recoil, you need to stop grabbing things like a wuss.

Yes, you can use a handstop to pull it tighter into your shoulder to help control it. The consistency when picking the thing up matters. If your hands are always in the same spot, and the stock is in the same spot on your shoulder, the recoil and muzzle flip should always be the same, swinging it should always feel the same, the weight balance will always feel the same.

The AFG basically acts as a rear or forward hand stop, just at an angle.

[FatalKitty]

That's kind of what I was getting at with rapid fire, that your hand position could change from shooting faster. Or do you mean when you mount the rifle, that your hand is in the spot you want it in every time? Doesn't sound like something I'd need, at the moment.

Never considered this purpose but it's a sound one!
I for one just put my index finger wrapped over the front "stop" on my MOE (rifle length) This allows consistent hand placement and some reward pressure, as well as enough room to break my thumb over the top of the bore for control, that and my hand is in a stable position to hold the rifle if I lower it and switch so secondary.

[ryno066]

Im not a big fan of the AFGs. just got one and it forces my elbow to an awkward angle to hold the grip right.

[donw]

i, personally, prefer the standard grip...the VFG gets in the way for my preferred style of shooting.*

i am going to try the AFG soon, though...it seems to be "More my style"

*i was trained in the classic military shooting positions by u.s. army infantry, and i like/prefer to use a supported position any time i can. but...i can also see where a VFG would be advantageous in a dynamic entry situation...

it's six to one, half-a-dozen to another...