How do YOU hold an AR-15?

[Skribs]

Specifically referring to the support hand in this question, how do you like to hold an AR-15, and what bottom-rail or 6-o'clock accessory do you prefer to use (if any) for ergonomic reasons?

I've seen people holding the magwell, hands positioned near or far, use of just the plain handguard, VFGs, AFGs, among others. Personally I find an AFG anywhere or a VFG in the right spot to be the most comfortable.

 

[newfalguy101]

I grip, or more accurately, wrap, my support hand around the front of the magwell and let the gun rest on my fingers.

 

[CraigC]

I prefer a VFG but grip it like an AFG if that makes any sense. About halfway down a rifle length forend.

 

[Narwhal]

Straight VFG about 8" in front of the magazine well feels most comfortable to me.

 

[WNC Seabee]

Depends on the shot.
- On the move in a multi-gun match I'll hold as close to the front sight as possible (16" mid-length gas system).
- Stationary, off hand, I grip the magwell.
- Prone without a rest, about 1/2 way down the hand guard.
- Prone with a rest, support arm is tucked under the butt stock.

I don't use a "6 o'clock" device of any sort, though I'm thinking of trying a simple hand stop.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Depends on what I'm doing with the gun and whether its a rifle length barrel and carbine.

With a carbine, I either use a VFG set closer the to mag well or use the mag well itself.

With a rifle I use the hand guard or a shorter VFG set further away from the mag well.

 

[esheato]

Support hand nearly fully extended (16" midlength w/ Larue 13.2" rail), wrapped around the bottom of the rail, pulling towards my body. Occasionally a thumb will find its way on top of the rail, but not often.

As far as VFGs go, I'm not a fan. I have a Surefire tac light and I don't really enjoy it. It sits on top of my safe unused. I also have a VFG on a 9mm carbine and it's ok on that gun, but my main HD and whackin' bad guys gun will never wear one permanently.

I do have some Magpul panels on the rail, placed just past the middle of the rail and prefer to index off of them rather than a AFG or other hand placement device. I tried the AFG and while it was uber comfortable, I didn't always place my hand optimally upon first getting my firing grip....so I went back to the rail covers.

I never hold the magwell...seems to be a pivot point IMHO.

Light and trim for me please.

 

[Skribs]

CraigC that makes sense. Just hold your hand partially on the VFG and partially on the rail?

I'm also wondering how arm length plays into this. I've found that with gripping the handguard my wrist never seems to be straight, same if I put the VFG further down the barrel, but if I have it closer my wrist can be straight. Pretty much no matter where it is, I can have a straight wrist on an AFG.

 

[Purgatory]

I prefer a VFG but grip it like an AFG if that makes any sense. About halfway down a rifle length forend.

This.

I like a magpul VFG almost halfway down my mid-length handguard.

It's a great handstop and can double as a full-hand foregrip for certain scenarios/positions.

I leave plenty of room for my full-hand traditional-style under handguard in front of VFG so that I can utilize multiple support techniques.

Normally, my fingers rest on the VFG and my thumb runs along the side of the handguard pointing forward toward the target. This can become very natural and assist in intuitive shooting if you practice/train with the 'two thumbs forward' technique with pistols.

 

[CraigC]

For reference, I'm 6' 1" and need a 35" sleeve on a dress shirt. So my arms are not overly long for my frame.

CraigC that makes sense. Just hold your hand partially on the VFG and partially on the rail?

Yep!

 

[taliv]

Depends but mostly I start by pointing my thumb at the target and lay it on the rail around 2 o'clock. Then wrap my hand around the forfend.

 

[benEzra]

Support hand all the way forward on the handguard, thumb over the top (16" midlength). That's what I've found works best for me. I have tried the magwell hold and I find that for me it is slower and more prone to overswing.

 

[HDCamel]

Standing or crouching with my full-length AR I hold out behind the gas block.
Prone or with a carbine I prefer to cradle it about the pivot pin (top of hand touching handguard, bottom of hand touching magwell).

 

[henschman]

I have been doing some run and guns, which are pretty much 5 or 10k foot races with shooting, and I have found myself grabbing the rifle where where the handguard meets the mag well, and get the back of my support elbow against my rib cage for support. What works well in competition or on a nice casual day of plinking doesn't always work the best when you are mentally and physically exhausted... which is what a run and gun will do to you, and which I figure is pretty close to the state I will be in if I ever have to use this kind of rifle for its intended purpose.

 

[W.E.G.]

I hold it however feels stable and natural under the circumstances of the shot.

Because the circumstances of the shot vary, the manner of hold will also vary.

 

[Warp]

Specifically referring to the support hand in this question, how do you like to hold an AR-15, and what bottom-rail or 6-o'clock accessory do you prefer to use (if any) for ergonomic reasons?

I've seen people holding the magwell, hands positioned near or far, use of just the plain handguard, VFGs, AFGs, among others. Personally I find an AFG anywhere or a VFG in the right spot to be the most comfortable.

'Thumb-over' (fingers under the handguard, thumb over the top pointed to the side/slightly forward, depending) I have a carbine length gas system and handguard so, although I do this at the far end of the rail, it isn't out there very far. My elbow is still pointed more down than sideways. I have no 6 o'clock accessory.

 

[Quentin]

Support hand all the way forward on the handguard, thumb over the top (16" midlength)...

Same here, I have three midlengths and this works well for me. I try to keep my support elbow tucked in to the body for support.

 

[jim243]

I've tried it with and without the vertical grip, the vertical grip makes it more stable, as to where it sits the photo will explain. Each persons arm length will determine where it is most comfortable.

Jim

 

[The-Reaver]

Magwell.

 

[Dean1818]

I use the mako grip fitted to the magwell

Very stable, as my left elbow is supported on my side.

 

[Girodin]

Support hand all the way forward on the handguard, thumb over the top (16" midlength). That's what I've found works best for me. I have tried the magwell hold and I find that for me it is slower and more prone to overswing.

This. Using measurable feed back of time and accuracy this type of grip and stance seems to work best.

 

[gotigers]

Trigger hand: I have fairly big hands, so i like a big grip. Now all of my ARs have Magpul MIADS with the large inserts. That puts my trigger finger in perfect position.

Support hand: For longer ARs, I like my left hand out at about 10-12 inches with my thumb over the top, palm firmly against the forend and all four fingers wrapped under the forend. This works for all of my ARs. At 6'-0" this allows me to have my left arm slightly bent. For short ARs or carbines, I like a short vert grip a couple of inches in front of the magwell, but I use it more of a hand stop.

Stock position: For training classes or anything tactical, I like the stock almost completely collapsed and closer to the center of my chest. For all other shooting, I like the stock in the pocket of my shoulder. A little high, so I don’t have to get my head down to low and out of position.

Elbows: down and tight.

 

[Bovice]

Let me preface this by saying I'm a giant. 6'2", 270, 54" at the shoulders. I have to try on cars like I try shoes.

For carbines, I use an adjustable stock moved out from being fully collapsed by about 2 "clicks". I use the magwell as the gripping point for my support hand. This allows me to keep the gun tucked in close, where I'm strongest in terms of retention. It's also conducive to very fast handling. Think CQB where you might have to quickly raise or lower your weapon.

For full length rifles, I just put my support hand out about halfway down the handguards,

 

[Hacker15E]

Support hand cupping/gripping as far out forward on the grip as I can. One one of my rifles I use an AFG that is out front as far as I can get it, and the other one is a military handguard with no attachments.

Sometimes I have played with the thumb-over (c-clamp) grip, but I can't get that to work for me well.

 

[jogar80]

.....where the handguard meets the mag well, and get the back of my support elbow against my rib cage for support.

This is exactly as I do it too