Vertical Grips - Page 3

**The Reaper** · 07-23-2006, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basicload

TS,
I have a front grip that actually houses my light and the button protrudes out of the back end of the grip. my light and grip do not fight for 6 Oclock rail space and my light stays under my rifle to minimize shadows thrown by my barrel/rail blocking my light.

Here is a pic of an old M-4A1 set up that I was running several years ago. I run the same grip on my assault rifle now.

Why not just run the M900 vertical weapons light?

TR

Basicload · 07-26-2006, 15:38

Reaper,

I tested the 900A for my former unit and I was not that impressed. Sure Fire built that light to fill a SOF requirement for that capability.

The 900 was a large light, but it had several nice features. It is 9V so it is rather bright. Brighter than my light. The LED lights (navigation lights if you talk to a SEAL, breacher's light if you talk to an Army SOF guy) are a nice feature as well.

I did not like the size. The light took up a lot of rail space and interfered with prone sling supported fire. The housing was plastic and I snapped off the grip while muzzle striking. The tape switch embedded in the grip is right where I like my laser switch. I also considered it very sensitive and AD'd the light often while evaluating it.

In the end I did not care for the light as much as this arms room manufactued mount that I run. Its not a bad light though. I wish that the construction was more durable.

Sorry for the slow response.

JimW · 07-30-2006, 15:01

I run vertical grips on all my teams AR’s. For CQB they improve control over the weapon and speed of movement of the weapon. However, I have found that using a VG for precision shooting at distance while standing or kneeling is not as stable as lightly gripping the forend and keeping the palm pointed up. Less muscle on the gun equals less movement, but equates to less recoil control. It’s a trade off. How I shoot will depend on the shot required. For CQB I want to hit fast and shoot multiple rounds so I use the VG. For distance I move the support hand forward and rest the rifle on the palm. Both techniques have pros and cons. Proficiency with both and the knowledge to know when to use them will make you a better all around shooter.

I’ll add that when using a VG I run the support hand thumb forward. I am right handed so this means the support thumb is on the left side of the weapon.

TF Kilo · 08-20-2006, 07:29

When I carried a "normal" M4, I would have one.

I would typically put the taclight's pressure pad (issued surefire) inbetween rails on the left side of the rifle, use high temp zipties to hold it on. That precluded the whole visible light AD thing to a good extent. If I had one, I'd put a scope cover on it as well to prevent it more... 9 times out of 10 we weren't visible light, so I had other things to take care of that..

I'd use the button pressure switch vs the pad, thinned and rounded with a dremel, then bike innertube to hold it in place on the front grip so I could "pull the trigger" on the front and get what I wanted.

Then, when I went to play in stryker land, the TL's carried the 203's. Yay. Back to magwell front grip with pad's epoxyed to the trigger mechanism of the 203. Taclight was rear button on the left hand side for ease of thumb actuation.

My carbine I have now sitting upstairs has a surefire TL3, mounted underneath the barrel, to where my left index finger's knuckle can actuate it. The mount is sexy though. Basically, it's a easily detatched light off a mount that stays on the rifle. Good for the "where the heck did that go" when I don't have a light easily accessable.

It's mounted pretty far back, because that's where I prefer to keep my front grip, and allows me to still assume a "normal" prone position if I want.

I *do* wish that I had been able to get a front grip like I have on my carbine, back when I was still in. Just being able to keep spare batteries in it, plus the option of mounting pressure pad's in the sides would have been something I would have appreciated.

Pic here

NousDefionsDoc · 08-20-2006, 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF Kilo

When I carried a "normal" M4, I would have one.

I would typically put the taclight's pressure pad (issued surefire) inbetween rails on the left side of the rifle, use high temp zipties to hold it on. That precluded the whole visible light AD thing to a good extent. If I had one, I'd put a scope cover on it as well to prevent it more... 9 times out of 10 we weren't visible light, so I had other things to take care of that..

I'd use the button pressure switch vs the pad, thinned and rounded with a dremel, then bike innertube to hold it in place on the front grip so I could "pull the trigger" on the front and get what I wanted.

Then, when I went to play in stryker land, the TL's carried the 203's. Yay. Back to magwell front grip with pad's epoxyed to the trigger mechanism of the 203. Taclight was rear button on the left hand side for ease of thumb actuation.

My carbine I have now sitting upstairs has a surefire TL3, mounted underneath the barrel, to where my left index finger's knuckle can actuate it. The mount is sexy though. Basically, it's a easily detatched light off a mount that stays on the rifle. Good for the "where the heck did that go" when I don't have a light easily accessable.

It's mounted pretty far back, because that's where I prefer to keep my front grip, and allows me to still assume a "normal" prone position if I want.

I *do* wish that I had been able to get a front grip like I have on my carbine, back when I was still in. Just being able to keep spare batteries in it, plus the option of mounting pressure pad's in the sides would have been something I would have appreciated.

Pic here

Where the hell have you been?

TF Kilo · 08-20-2006, 08:29

here and there... more in pm...

**The Reaper** · 08-20-2006, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF Kilo

My carbine I have now sitting upstairs has a surefire TL3, mounted underneath the barrel, to where my left index finger's knuckle can actuate it.

Pic here

That does not appear to be any SureFire I have ever seen.

The knuckle activation is very difficult under pressure (one finger moving forward as the other hand is moving in the opposite direction on the fire controls), you must have spent a lot of time working with it to master that technique.

TR

TF Kilo · 08-20-2006, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

That does not appear to be any SureFire I have ever seen.

The knuckle activation is very difficult under pressure (one finger moving forward as the other hand is moving in the opposite direction on the fire controls), you must have spent a lot of time working with it to master that technique.

TR

The eagle eye catches all!

My bad. Streamlight TL-3. "Thunder Ranch" model, cheapest off the shelf option that incorporated both a light and rail mount all in one.

I indexed it close enough to where it's more of a torquing of the grip without much of a push to activate. Works good for my purposes, still debating about a pressure pad for it. Installing one would negate the ease of removal for other than weapon mounted use.

Of course, purchasing a seperate light would solve that issue... Usually I just go for the Streamlight XTKP rechargable I keep in the blazer, or then there's the "God Light" my 15 millon candlepower spot I have for testing morse code against the martians...

**The Reaper** · 08-20-2006, 10:35

I believe that the majority of IR tip off covers that are purchased are used to prevent white light NDs. The downside is that they are expensive.

The budget solution is to use a Butler Creek tip off scope cap. Some people punch a pinhole in the center to permit its use at a much reduced level for a breacher's or navigation light.

LaRue makes a nice QD light mount that drops the light to make thumb activation at the 4:00 and 8:00 position easier.

TR

TF Kilo · 08-20-2006, 10:48

yep, the butler creek caps work great. At least until something has the good fortune pre-mission to melt a hole straight through it by turning it on.

Bad side effect of vertical frontgrip pressure switches.. LOL

Cincinnatus · 08-22-2006, 21:16

Has any played with mounting a light at the 6 o'clock position with something like the YMT triple mount and activating the tailcap by sliding the hand up the handguard against it? I've not tried this, and would be concerned about accidentally turning on the light, but have wondered about this method as an inexpensive way of putting a light on an AR in what would seem to be a position.

TF Kilo · 08-22-2006, 21:43

Without a vertical grip? you're better off at the 5 or 7 depending on lefty righty so you can engage it with your thumb then. Just what I have seen and tried to do.

Smokin Joe · 08-23-2006, 12:47

I have a Surefire Scout light. I just switched out the tape switch to the push button because I experienced 2 white light AD's while looking for 2 bad dudes the other night.

jatx · 08-23-2006, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cincinnatus

Has any played with mounting a light at the 6 o'clock position with something like the YMT triple mount and activating the tailcap by sliding the hand up the handguard against it? I've not tried this, and would be concerned about accidentally turning on the light, but have wondered about this method as an inexpensive way of putting a light on an AR in what would seem to be a position.

You could mount something like a Streamlight TLR-2. They are lightweight and the tape switches will be available next month. How much light do you need?

82ndtrooper · 08-29-2006, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc

I was trained without them and now I use them. What TS says is right, but I don't grip it hard enough to make a difference between the forearm and bicep (the rifle weighs about 8 pounds - a gurl could hold it). With training you get used to it.

Since I have started using them, I have grown to love them.

They do get in the way of prone and supported at times.

I run mine as far foward as I can. I have arms like an ape.

You can really crank that barrel around in a vicious arc with a VFG too - if the need should every arise to adjust the attitude of someone the ROE don't allow shooting.

I would advise you to get one and give both ways an honest try and see which you like better.

What about a veritcal grip that serves as a quick release BI-POD ? I do not own one, dont need it, but reports thus far from the ground pounders that are using them are "Love Affair" for them. This would solve some of the problems discussed in this thread regarding going to the "Prone" position, and using your mag as a semi-pseudo mono pod.

it's here > www.grippod.com