Magwell Grip Vs. Magpul Angled Foregrip

[jbh13]

I have a bit of a dilemma. I am a new AR owner, S&W M&P15, I have been getting some accessories and purchased both the Mako Magazine Well Grip and the Magpul Angled Foregrip.

Here is my question. The Mako is more comfortable for me, however since I am a new AR shooter, I was wondering if the Magpul AFG would give me the proper technique. I do not want to start out shooting and develop bad habits from the start.

 

[Z-Michigan]

No tool is going to "give" you proper shooting technique. That comes from training and practice.

I'd put both grips aside for now and learn to shoot with just the stock handguards. You might even return them if that is an option. Later on, you may or may not decide that some sort of added grip is beneficial. Many good shooters do not use a forward grip, so don't assume that one is needed.

FWIW, the magwell grip technique is generally not taught for the AR-15 platform by professional instructors. Most people who use it would likely do better with a different technique, including just using conventional handguards in the conventional manner. I do think that starting out with a magwell grip is likely to be reinforcing a bad habit; however I am not a professional instructor, just an amateur enthusiast.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

I like the angled foregrip personally. It puts my hand further out so it's more stable than a magwell grip (which feels really awkward). It's got multiple surfaces that allows me to pull the rifle snug against my shoulder or I can use it like a traditional handstop to push against with a properly-adjusted sling. I actually prefer it to the more popular vertical grip setups.

 

[Chopdoktor]

AFG all the way. I have one on most of my light caliber carbines (5.56, 5.45, etc.), and I've taken to them because the allow a comfortable 'wrap-around' grip that really affords muzzle control. I'm 6'2, with appropriately long arms, and I find that I get the best speed and control by using the AFG and an almost fully extended reaction-side hand grasp around and over the barrel and rail (thumb forward and over the rail, pointed toward target). Using the magwell as a grip is, in my humble opinion, a bad idea simply on physics alone. You are losing a lot of leverage control by creating a "fulcrum" kind of point there, with all those inches (16+), generally the heaviest portion of the weapon, swinging around in front of you without much precision. The best control you'll get is full comfortable extension of the reaction-side hand outward, with as much thumb wrap overtop the bore as feasible. This gains you speed getting pointed at the target, and adds a lot of muzzle-jump control. I know this is a lengthy response, but a new AR shooter deserves it.

 

[Z-Michigan]

FWIW, I recently started using an AFG and I like it also. But I still think that for a beginner, the best place to start is with the unmodified factory handguards.

I have in the past used a VFG with various holds and never liked it all that well with any hold. However, a VFG is more compatible with many lights than the AFG, if using a weaponlight is a future consideration. I've also briefly experimented with the magwell hold and I find it terrible for most use. (In prone, only, my support hand is fairly close to the magwell, but it's still on the handguard instead of the magwell.)