With all the political BS regarding the pistol grip on a rifle, I looked at some designs and I can see two reasons the pistol grip was adopted for some modern rifle designs:
1. Overall Length: look at the Thompson, the FAL, the original Johnson Carbine prototype that looks like a big steel and wood AR, the AR, the AK. What they all have in common is that the receiver extends above the trigger hand. The pistol grip allows for a "semi-bullpup" design, with shorter OAL than a traditional rifle like an M14.
2. Folding stock: M1 Carbine Paratrooper is an example. The PG allows a traditional gun design to have a folding butt for storage, without losing all stability when it is fired.
Neither reason has anything to with "spray and pray" capability, hipshooting, or even ergonomics.
A lever gun with a straight grip can be hipshot as well as anything, and a straight grip is easier to hold in a low position, since you can have your trigger arm directly above the weapon and still fire it.
"Spray and pray" works as well with an SKS as an AK, or with a Mini-14 as an AR. Try it. You can miss just as easily with the traditional-stocked gun!
Ergonomics are even doubtful. The PG might be better for one situation, worse for another. If it were so much better ergonomically across the board, you'd see it used a lot more on guns used for serious competitive clay shooting, big game hunting, etc. You don't.
Just my thoughts on why this aspect of the AWB is complete BS, even if you DO believe in limiting firepower available to civilians.
1. Overall Length: look at the Thompson, the FAL, the original Johnson Carbine prototype that looks like a big steel and wood AR, the AR, the AK. What they all have in common is that the receiver extends above the trigger hand. The pistol grip allows for a "semi-bullpup" design, with shorter OAL than a traditional rifle like an M14.
2. Folding stock: M1 Carbine Paratrooper is an example. The PG allows a traditional gun design to have a folding butt for storage, without losing all stability when it is fired.
Neither reason has anything to with "spray and pray" capability, hipshooting, or even ergonomics.
A lever gun with a straight grip can be hipshot as well as anything, and a straight grip is easier to hold in a low position, since you can have your trigger arm directly above the weapon and still fire it.
"Spray and pray" works as well with an SKS as an AK, or with a Mini-14 as an AR. Try it. You can miss just as easily with the traditional-stocked gun!
Ergonomics are even doubtful. The PG might be better for one situation, worse for another. If it were so much better ergonomically across the board, you'd see it used a lot more on guns used for serious competitive clay shooting, big game hunting, etc. You don't.
Just my thoughts on why this aspect of the AWB is complete BS, even if you DO believe in limiting firepower available to civilians.