Shooting Technique

[Fitz87]

I recently purchased a new saiga 7.62 and have been having a blast shooting it, personaly I like to hold the magazine with my forearm as a grip, but I have been reading that shooting this way is not good, but its easier for me and is more comfortable than just holding the forend of the rifle, I wanted to know why its so bad to grip the magazine while shooting instead of the forend?

[Lateralus]

No shooting position is "bad", everybody has their own way of what works.

Technically, having your hand farther forward (on the handguard) will give you more leverage and better control over the muzzle of the rifle. But again, do whatever works for you. I have been known to use some unconventional shooting positions, but my bullets always seem to go downrange just fine

[Stormfeather]

I recently purchased a new saiga 7.62 and have been having a blast shooting it, personaly I like to hold the magazine with my forearm as a grip, but I have been reading that shooting this way is not good, but its easier for me and is more comfortable than just holding the forend of the rifle, I wanted to know why its so bad to grip the magazine while shooting instead of the forend?

Ive heard that it makes target aquisition harder when dealing with multiple targets, can possibly lead to a ftf issue if you grip the mag so hard it shifts, and countless other possible scenarios. Ive used both a forward style grip and a mag grip, I just prefer a forward style grip.

[1lostinspace]

Kalashnikov shoots like that,but I am not sure if you will have mag issues.

[GuyW]

I've heard that some guns malfunction when gripped by the mag.

Anyway, I'm dang sure almost any mag wasn't really designed to resist forces placed on it...

[rksimple]

As long as it doesn't malfunction, its OK. Do what you like. The rifle will be more maneuverable with your hand on the forearm, though.

[skeetskeet]

Is your entire hand holding the magazine? Or is it something like what these two Marines are doing? I'm a short/weak guy and this feels much better to me for the standing position. I would get better groups and follow ups than I would with the forearm. But with other shooting positions, I use the traditional way.

[bobfried]

Your doing alright, some frown on it.

However if your holding onto that area than the stock is too long for you. The WARSAW length stock were designed so that anyone could hold their hand where the HG are and be comfortable. One of the downfall of the Saiga's is that their LOP is several inches longer than what they are supposed to be.

[Fitz87]

Yah I basically hold it how the marines are in the pic. I only do this when standing though.

[RobT2K]

Like in the pic, it would probably be ok. The only other worry I've heard is if there is a kaboom, the mag is usually blown apart and down.

[ByTheNumbers]

...is it something like what these two Marines are doing?

Is the mag grip, like in this photo, an officially taught technique to our Marines? Or is it something that they just pick up from others?

[Fitz87]

that photo is pretty cool, but what exactly is the point of taping the magazine and part of the handguard on that marines rifle?

[bobfried]

that photo is pretty cool, but what exactly is the point of taping the magazine and part of the handguard on that marines rifle?

If you ever serve in the military the first thing they drill in your head is Noise Discipline. And the best way to solve all of your noise problem is tape. Mags in a pouch will bang together and make noise, so the bottom portion is taped up (usually with a 550 cord loop as a mag-pul, yes that's where Magpul got their name) as not to make noise. The handguard isn't a handguard, rather it's an A4 with a rail and the KAC panels tend to slide around and rattle a bit.

So basically you will see every rifle in the US military taped up, paracorded and zip tied every which way possible to reduce or eliminate noise.

[J_Rock]

Is your entire hand holding the magazine? Or is it something like what these two Marines are doing? I'm a short/weak guy and this feels much better to me for the standing position. I would get better groups and follow ups than I would with the forearm. But with other shooting positions, I use the traditional way.

Is that a ITL MARS sight I see?

Nothing wrong with a mag well grip as far as I can see. Its just like a pseudo vertical foregrip, it makes it easier to drive the weapon on target(a la CQB). However for long range percision shooting its not the best grip since holding the gun closer to the receiver gives you coarse adjustment and holding it closer to the muzzle will give you finer adjustment.

Also holding the mag well or using it as a mono pod will NOT cause your gun to malfunction. If it does get better mags or a gun.

[randy]

It's a technique if you make hits while holding your rifle that way then good on you. If you aren't or feel slow compared to your friends then maybe change.

Sometimes tape on a rifle is just tape on a rifle. Or rather a place to keep some tape when you are in the field.