Posted: 7/25/2004 1:21:29 PM EDT
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I've read your AAR on the BW trip but was hoping to get feedback on a specific topic. I wish I knew how to make a poll but here is the question. After that course what is your opinion on the vertical foregrip? a) have one - couldn't give it up b) have one - ok, no big deal c) don't have one - wish I did d) don't have one - fine without it Any other thoughts you'd like to offer will be appreciated even if you didn't attend the recent course. Thanks guys. |
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b) have one - ok, no big deal But I much prefer favor having it. Manuvering the carbine around seems easier and I don't feel as much heat from the handgaurds since my hand is away from them. I've tried holding onto the lower at the mag well before getting a forward grip but it seems more awkward to me. I like my forward hand further forward than at the receiver. |
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Thanks for the responses guys. Minuteman419 - I sent you an IM. gotm4 - you mentioned a few of the reason I've been considering it. Only used regular handguards up to this point. The traditional front of the mag well grip is a bit awkward for me as well so I hold the rear of the handguard between the thumb and forefinger with the heel of the hand wedged into the bottom of the magwell and mag and it's pretty tight but wasn't sure if I was missing out. Probably not quite as good for lateral movement. Also figured a railed forearm would have better cooling than reg handguards. VA-gunnut - when did you most ntice the vertical grip being a hinderance? carrying? prone? using a support like over a rucksack? |
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I got a Tango Down unit from C4. Very well made. I'm still evaluating advantages over disadvantages. It seems to provide more control in overcoming movement, such as transitioning between targets or doing fast double-taps on a close-up target (would be really great in full-auto). On the down-side, I don't seem as able to keep a really steady hold when needed for precision shots. In this mode, the traditional bent-wrist hold on the handguard feels more like I'm shooting "to" the target. I'm also still experimenting how far forward to place the unit. I've seen a lot of pictures of them placed pretty far back, maybe only 2-3 inches forward of the receiver. For me, further forward seems better to get more leverage, but only as long as there is still enough bend in the elbow for the bicep to maintain tension. Beyond that my arm feels over-extended as the elbow starts to lock and the bicep looses strength. The exact balance would be different for everyone but seems to make a lot of difference in the feel and function to me, so is probably worth testing. If the grip ends up far enough forward, you might have enough of the handguard open behind it to allow the option of a traditional hold when desired. Alternatively if you like the grip further back, you could use the same type of hold as you described for against the magwell but with heel now wedged against the grip. I've tried this which seems to work pretty well and might be worth further testing. Let us know how it works out. |
| I found the grip got in the way while allowing the rifle to hang by a single point sling. I used to have a FIRSH with a Surefire light, and the grip hanging on the front. This made for a very front heavy setup and while swing around on the sling the grip would wack me in the leg. I ended up removing the whole set-up and going with an M500 light only. I find this just causes less weight and I have a less chance of the grip getting in the way when not carrying the rifle. |
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Didn't like any of them until I found the Graphite SOG vert grip. It's light, doesn't heat up, even on my shortie M16 and is rock solid. I also like the overmoulded rubber grip surface. SOG Graphite Vert Grip Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the grip. Steve |
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Thanks so much to everyone for the helpful replys. BlackScot - I understand what you're saying about the placement and leverage. I'm somewhat vertically challenged and don't have a long reach so I'm figuring I'd need it located in the more rearward positions. Dinger - always enjoyed the pics of your carbine - enough that I might have copied it if my flash hider weren't already perm. attached. Hallmark - thanks for the link, definitely looks like it would grip well. I really do appreciate all of the replies and the help I've gotten just on this one thread. I have one more that I could use your input and experience on. Considering the RASII. I'll make a new thread here since the vertical grip is only part of it. If you don't mind, maybe some of you could offer a suggestion on that one as well. |
e) Don't have one, tried somebody else's and see both sides  I don't have one on my 16" RRA but have always wondered what they're like. Plus not having a railed forend and not wanting to buy specific stuff for one setup...blah blah blah I've made all the excuses I can to not get one. Mostly due to no money. I tried DevotedDad's at the last BRD and found it to be very cool for control. Follow ups were very fast. But I believe VA-gunnut's 'it got in my way' comment to be very real. It's another thing sticking way out on the rifle that can bang into or get snagged on things. |