What is primary reason for pistol grip on assault rifles?

[WC87]

There is no such thing as an assault rifle.

 

[DHJenkins]

If you consider natural point of aim, a pistol grip on your rifle that's close to the grip on your pistol can't be a bad thing.

Plus, you have to consider the ergonomics of shorter stocks on "assault" rifles these days - If you're clearing a room with your collapsible on the first click, you're probably going to be chicken wingin' it without a pistol grip. Personally, I like elbows down with the ability to push the rifle into my shoulder so it doesn't have so far to travel once fired.

 

[nipprdog]

There is no such thing as an assault rifle.

 

[HB]

A pistol gripped rifle is very, very quick to shoulder from a low ready position (what I think of as the rifle equivalent of position sul) if your hand is already on the pistol grip, which it should be. Pistol gripped rifles are slow from high ready, not from low ready. If they were slow to the shoulder, then competitors in fast-paced matches where hundredths of a second separate winners from losers wouldn't use them.

Ever seen a sporting clays shooter with a pistol grip?

I think they are there just because they are a necessity in the design of the rifles. They are very uncomfortable for hunting but very nice for target shooting.

HB

 

[RobMoore]

The Army rejects revolutionary change. You absolutely have to wrestle the pointy sticks from their hands, before you can issue them iron tipped spears.* They will then act pouty over the loss of their pointy sticks until the Old Guard retires.

Sounds exactly like police agencies switching to semi-autos, then switching from hammered DA/SA to polymer striker-fired guns.

Ever seen a sporting clays shooter with a pistol grip?

Are pistol grips legal in sporting clays?

 

[mljdeckard]

All I can say is try some rifles before and after and see what it feels like.

I put a SAW grip on my Yugo SKS with the tech sights, and it was suddenly, "OOOoooh. THAT's how it's supposed to work!!"

 

[HB]

Are pistol grips legal in sporting clays?

Haha, I don't know actually but shotguns just feel awful with full pistol grips.

 

[PzGren]

What is primary reason for pistol grip on assault rifles?

Ergonomics.

 

[AR-15 Rep]

I would say ergonomics is the answer. Your hand is in a more natural state holding a pistol grip when you are constantly firing the weapon. Look at the angle your wrist is at when holding a pistol grip and when holding a regular stock.

 

[Kwanger]

There is some truth in all of the above but there is a reason no-one has mentioned. Jeff Cooper told me once that you should point a weapon like you point your index finger. If you look at an object and just point without aiming with your eye's you'll find you are pointing directly at that object.
Having a pistol grip and laying finger alongside and above trigger allows you to bring the weapon into approx. sight alignment before you even obtain sight lock.
Try it if you don't beleave. Most other reasons are good too accept for lack of fire discipline, the famous assault with massed machineguns ( don't forget the Russians had their people charge machine guns or be shot by the political Officer) to some lives are very very cheap. Something to keep in mind for the future.

This. You can bring a pistol grip rifle to bear quicker; also, it is easier to maneuver it through doors, in tight spaces, etc while still maintaining a somewhat ready position. With a traditional stock, it invariable ends up under your arm at some point. With a pistol grip there is no need, as you can rotate the buttstock in front of your shoulder, and get it back into it easier and quicker when you need it.