What is the benefit of a Vertical Forward Grip (VFG)?

[10-Ring]

I've only recently gotten into the AR world & just finished my 9mm. I never thought I'd want a VFG, but the more I see them the more I think it might be nice to have on my guns....but is there an actual benefit to them or is it just bling?

 

[Geronimo45]

CQB operatin'. A little more muzzle control than holding on to the handguards for rapid-fire, tight quarters stuff.
Kinda ugly, IMO - you need a gold or nickel-plated model for real bling.


P.S. Also, there's some new foregrip for ARs - one that can be pulled open for use as a bipod. Might be a nice gadget.

 

[rugerdude]

Uhhh, they look cool!

It's nice for having a good, positive grip on the gun for rapid fire especially, but for longer shots, I tent to not use the VFG.

However, my experienses are derived from using my 10/22 w/ VFG so it may be different with an AR.

 

[MMcfpd]

Pretty much what Geronimo45 said, as far as utility goes. I've used one when plinking from the hip in the country, but I take it off when actually trying to hit a target at the range.

Utility aside, though, there is a significant tacticool contingent who like the look of their rifles outfitted with vertical grips, tac lights, lasers, spoilers and weather radar.

To each his own.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The big benefit to a vertical grip (providing you get the training to go with it) is that it helps you control recoil on multiple, fast shots and it really lets you get positive control over the rifle during movement.

The tipping point for me where I decided I wanted a vertical grip was when I was doing box drills. I just wasn't getting the times and hits I wanted using a magwell hold. I discovered that grabbing the flashlight on the front of the rail and using it as a stubby vertical grip, I could make the time and hits I wanted though. This convinced me to buy a vertical grip.

P.S. Also, there's some new foregrip for ARs - one that can be pulled open for use as a bipod. Might be a nice gadget.

Yes, it is called a Grippod. That's what I am running. Good grip and decent bipod for very little weight (7oz total).

 

[taliv]

yeah? i just saw one of those for the first time today. was kind of freaky looking. i've sort of sworn off bipods on ARs, or i might consider it.

i've been wondering all day whether it was something actually useful, or if it was just a total mallninja gimmick. i guess i'm a little surprised to hear you're using it and happy with it, bart. interesting.

 

[Joe456]

I tweaked my wrist trying to hold up a motorcycle, I should of dropped.
A vertical fore grip made it possible to me to hold my rifle in a off hand position. I think that it improves the ergonomics of holding a rifle. In terms of steadiness, and how long you can hold it in a firing position.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

i've been wondering all day whether it was something actually useful, or if it was just a total mallninja gimmick. i guess i'm a little surprised to hear you're using it and happy with it, bart.

Yes, it is actually one of those things I thought was gimmicky at first. When shooting from field positions, I usually used the magazine as a monopod and that was working just fine for me; but I figured I could use the bipod when I was zeroing on the bench.

As it turns out, I find myself using it a lot just about anytime I am shooting prone and the bipod deploys quickly. The grip is a good size for me and I really like the attachment system. I've actually been able to make some decent precision shots with the bipod. You also just can't beat the combination for 7oz of weight and the price (price a decent vertical grip and rail-mounted bipod).

Criticism wise, the Grippod isn't quite as stable as a dedicated bipod just because of the geometry of the Grippod compared to a dedicated bipod. Also, unless you like your vertical grip forward, you don't get quite as much leverage off the bipod. I also wouldn't lean into a polymer Grippod like I would with an MG bipod. I don't think the Grippod will handle it, at least not long term.

 

[Dain Bramage]

What is the benefit of a Vertical Forward Grip (VFG)?

It pisses off the antis.

Actually, I have an AMD-65 (AKM clone) with a foregrip. It helps keep the rifle in a ready position when you move, so it can quickly be brought up for aimed fire. If you notice, that's how the troops do it in Iraq. Nobody's been trained to hip-fire since Sgt. Rock.

For most static shooting situations, I find a regular horizontal grip to be superior.

 

[texlurch]

They originally came about to help control during burst and full auto fire.. now they are uber tacti-cool!!

For those that know how and why to use them, they are good. For the majority that have them, they are one more gizmo to add.

 

[El Tejon]

CDI. Chicks Dig It. It's all about looking and feeling cool.

Tacticoolness.

 

[K-Romulus]

ergonomics

The reason I would use one is that (for shooters) it closely approximates a boxer's hands during a boxer's stance. That's how I was taught to fight H2H, and it just feels right to me.

As for "rapid fire control," despite what the Brady Campaign says, I believe that VFG's really make no difference for the average person.

Ex.A: AR15.com has regular VFG flamefests where half the posters think it helps with accuracy, the other half thinking VFG's screw up accuracy, rapid-fire or otherwise. Supposedly most 3-gun competitors do NOT use VFG's because of a belief that VFG's hurt the speed/accuracy issue.

 

[USMC Tanker]

Smoother, faster presentations and target acquisition.

Increased control during rapid fire.

Just as everyone else is saying. I'd use mine while on patrol, especially in villages and cities where close engagements are expected. I'd always take it off while performing Designated Marksman (DM) operations on rooftops and the like.

 

[Mike U.]

I mounted one on my AK and was hooked. I loved the added control it gives me when shooting off-hand. Sooo, I tried one on my 870 too. Now, it's a keeper there too. It adds control to the scattergun and allows me much quicker cycling of the action.

At first, I was like some here who just thought it was tacti-cool. After trying it, I'm convinced that, in my case, it really helps me enjoy shooting better. As if shooting actually needed something else to make it more enjoyable.

 

[Impala]

I think the most worthy VFG is the #23 throw lever QD made by A.R.M.S.
http://www.armsmounts.com/catalog.php?action=search&q=grip&i.x=0&i.y=0
I'm not into the whole lights, lasers, tactical toaster oven thing, but I do like the versatility of having a QD foregrip which can be installed or removed in a couple seconds and allow enhanced controllability and better handling in close quarters.