The exact origins of the vertical foregrip (VFG) would be all but impossible to pin down, but there were examples of the vertical grip on various weapon platforms at least as early as early as 1908. There were almost certainly “field-expedient” examples of vertical forward grip long before that. And certainly long before the SOPMOD Block 1!
Grips like these are designed to improve weapon manipulation in various conditions, and they will do so.
All the respect to Steve Forsing (and to Mike Vining, of course!), but that ain’t how most of us use a vertical foregrip.
That ^^^ is not using it correctly. Leastways not for the vast majority of uses!
Current types of foregrip include numerous models of VFG (including the classic but arguably least useful “broom handle foregrip”, hand stop and barricade stop versions, and angled grips of many kinds.
There are intended uses, advantages, and disadvantages to each style.
Read on, and we’ll address some history, usage, and possible choices to fit your needs.
This is also not using vertical foregrip correctly. Or that scope. In case you were wondering.
The VFG (Vertical Forward Grip or Vertical Foregrip) has existed in some form for over a century. For instance, the terrible French Chauchat machine gun had one behind the magazine. An even worse version of that weapon, the Chauchat Mle 1918 .30-06, had one in front of the magazine.
Did we mention both were terrible?
An unidentified American WWI soldier behind the 8mm M1915 CSRG, more often referred to as the “Chauchat.” Note the gunner’s left hand is on a vertical grip located behind the (crescent-shaped) magazine. U.S. Navy photo
Similarly, some variants of the Fedorov Avtomat (an interesting rifle all by itself) had a VFG in 1915, and the Farquhar-Hill rifle, developed in 1908, had a VFG whose position could be customized via a proprietary rail.
This was a detail well ahead of its time!
Later, some submachine guns and many other small or front-heavy guns were equipped with VFGs.
Modern use of the VFG was born out of necessity. The M4A1, with its 7 in. railed forend, was soon crowded with warfighting upgrades and general gun accessories. Once one has a white light and an IR designator on that short rail, there isn’t exactly a whole lot of space remaining for the support hand.
As with many gun upgrades and furniture (and, for that matter, gear in general), forward grips quickly caught on with the civilian shooting community). This was particularly true once fighting overseas kicked off. Unfortunately, many of those people purchased a VFG without understanding what the initial justification (and compromise) was.
This is a regrettably common occurrence, and not just among civilians. Many are the warfighters or LEOs that have (or have had) something on their weapon they didn’t necessarily understand. Some of that’s the CDI (Chicks Dig It) factor. Sometimes, it’s mandated by a unit or agency that itself doesn’t know the whys and wherefores.
As time wore on and understanding developed, the VFG evolved into numerous forms.
Like a lot of forms.
With multiple barrels and quadruple-taped jungle mags and…whatever the hell else is on there, you just about have to have a foregrip on a blaster like this. This is the vertical AR grip on the “Equalizer” gun from the post-apocalyptic movie Equalizer 2000.
We now have the hand stop, the barricade stop (which are often but not always the same), angled grips, tall grips, short grips, modular grips, fold grips, VFGs that become bipods, Grip Stops, VFGs that have their own flashlight, grips that hold spare magazines, grips with “running lights” aboard and others that are WML/IR/VIR combos…
Some make dubious claims of performance enhancement. Others are apparently imbued with magical powers.
You get the idea.
It is no secret that the VFG has fallen out of favor in many shooting circles. Although the VFG in its current form was employed for a hand to gain residence (a rationale negated by longer forends), sometimes the law of unintended consequences actually works in our favor.
Despite what many will tell you, the VFG is more than a simple handgrip; it’s a rifle multi-tool. Here are some practical roles the VFG still fills
Physical Reference
This is something that’s pretty commonly seen. The VFG is used as an index point to ensure a dependable and consistent grip on the rifle. Though a VFG could be used as a forward hand stop (or all derpy-derp on the side for an index point for the web of the hand), the normal position is behind the hand. Some will use it like a simple hand stop and others will partially wrap their ring and pinky fingers across the front of the VFG, and others will full-on gorilla grab it. Personally, I like the partial wrap hand brake method.
Recoil Management
The ability to physically pull a carbine into the shoulder aids in recoil management, which is particularly important for precise follow-up shots and maximizing control during full-auto. A VFG provides a solid surface for the hand to abut with less strain on the wrist relative to simply grabbing the forend. More leverage means better recoil management.
Blister Prevention
Outright I’ll say that I prefer to wear gloves whenever shooting a rifle of about any make. Nonetheless, in our current era of slim heat sinks (er, I mean “lightweight modern modular free-floating handguards”), sometimes you really need them.
Those things don’t always cut the mustard or perform as advertised (*gasp*).
For sustained firing or full-auto application, most handguards are going to get hot as hell, and unless you’re rocking asbestos, the gloves might not cut it (and Hephaestus help you if you aren’t wearing them at all).
It is noteworthy that some piston systems (explicitly those that vent gas under the handguards) will aggravate this issue.
Functioning much like the “fixed bale” modifications some Marines made to 1919 models in WWII, having a VFG allows the shooter to get his hand ‘away from the hotness’ and continue on.
Strong Stabilization
The front face of a VFG can be pressed against a piece of horizontal cover to support stabilization when firing. A VFG can also act as a monopod. If behind a piece of vertical cover, the handguard can be pressed against the side and then canted until the VFG also makes contact. This gives the rifle two points of contact on the cover surface instead of just the one and makes for a more stable shot. The end of the VFG can be jammed against cracks, niches, pocks, and other imperfections to increase support. These methods are also decidedly handy if one only has the use of one arm.
Better shooting + less work? What’s not to love?
Leverage and Weapon Retention
There are countless methods of dealing with a gun grab, from the simple to the Systema. Regardless of the technique, just like with regulating recoil, a VFG allows one to have maximum leverage to maintain control.
Patrolling
It can be advantageous to give your support hand or sling shoulder a rest while patrolling. Taking a gorilla grip on a VFG can be a simple solution. The bottom of the VFG can also be used to transfer weight to a piece of gear (the top of a pouch or even your belt buckle) for a period of time, giving your support hand and sling shoulder a break without drastically cutting down your reaction time.
A Vertical Grip for Storage!
Many VFGs on the market offer some modest storage space. This can be utilized to carry batteries, bottles of lubricant, or other *ahem* critical mission-essential supplies.
Use Foregrip to Transition to Secondary Without Sling
If you don’t have a sling for whatever reason (many LEO patrol rifles, unfortunately, don’t sport slings, let alone a modern 2-point), performing a transition can be problematic. A TTP that is commonly taught is to hold the rifle diagonally across the chest by the support hand and then bring the secondary (or alternatively, a less-lethal option such as a Taser) to bear.
It should go without saying that this is less than ideal. The rifle isn’t held very securely and, depending on the musculature of the shooter and the weight of the rifle, can and will go all over the place (sometimes burning the hell of your neck!) if any additional movement is required.
If your carbine has a VFG (not carelessly colocated with the magwell), a better way is the following: Obtain a gorilla grip on the VFG while swinging the rifle down to your support side. Tuck the buttstock of the rifle solidly into your armpit, ensuring your support hand is pulling upward via the VFG, and then execute your draw stroke. Because your carbine is held in place by two firm points of contact with your body, the rifle rides sturdy and in place even during movement.
Vertical Grip for Casualty Dragging
In a perfect world, none of our compatriots would ever get hurt—however, the world ain’t perfect. There are times when an injured ally has to be physically taken out of a kill zone. The fewer people you have available for this undertaking the harder it is and the faster it has to be done. There are many ways to get someone to safety alone, but I’m not going to re-write the entire TASK 081-831-1046.
A quick and effective method is to execute a two-handed drag. Simply put: run up,crouch down, grab him by his gear with both hands and move backwards [ostensibly] to safety. You’re going to want to secure your rifle first so it’s not smacking into your legs or tripping you up.
Regardless of the style or type of sling used (or even if you don’t have a sling at all) an expedient way to assure your rifle stays out of the way is to utilize that VFG. Wedge the front of the VFG into one crook of your elbow and the back of the rifle’s pistol grip into the other.
Yes, you now have little T-Rex arms, but you also maintain positive control of your rifle while using two hands to drag.
Other Notes and Conclusions
Because a VFG is not a critical piece of gear regarding how a weapon physically functions, you don’t have to spend top dollar on one. If it breaks, hell doesn’t open, and the world doesn’t come to an end. It’s better for a VFG to snap or pop off than to get caught in a doorframe or for your rail system to get warped.
It is noteworthy that some of the high-end QD VFGs (one of my favorites, Tango Down, for example) usually will indeed come loose from high impact before they break a rail. Since there are hundreds of VFGs manufactured from different materials with diverse fastening methods, I couldn’t even begin to go into the pro/con breakdown of each.
Do some astute reading and research and divine accordingly. A VFG is not a 1:1 functional replacement for specialized tools. Dedicated forward barricade grabbers (such as the Ares Armor Hammerhead or Noveske K9) are going to do a better job than a VFG in that role. A Bobro bipod is going to be more stable than a VFG acting as a monopod, etc.
No one willingly buys a multi-tool to fill the role of a filet knife.
The VFG’s benefit is that it’s one tool that can perform many different functions depending on your needs.
Transitioning from primary weapon (a carbine, SBR, etc.) to secondary weapon (a handgun) using the foregrip of a rifle. (Image via BCM.)
None of this is to say that you should throw everything else out and only use a VFG. I have rifles with numerous forend configurations (from single to double hand stops to slick to bipods, depending on the rifle).
I love the free market system, and the myriad of options our industry produces is definitely positive overall, but man, there’s a lot of snake oil, too.
Before advocating or discounting anything, one should be able to successfully articulate and demonstrate what exactly one gets out of any weapon widget (not at all just a vertical grip) and understand the actual, not just perceived, advantages and disadvantages brought to the table.
Many a firearm designer strove to create an effective self-loading rifle in the early twentieth century, and by the last years of the First World War some countries had begun to look seriously at the concept.
In Britain, the Farquhar-Hill (named after the two men behind the rifle) was originally conceived in 1908, and came close to army adoption in 1918.
A complicated and unconventional design, the Farquhar-Hill uses a gas port to operate a piston against a spring beneath the barrel.
The piston is then locked in place, forcing the spring to decompress rearwards against the bolt carrier. The carrier is pushed back, working against a stud to unlock the bolt. Once the bolt is fully rearward, the piston is unlocked and the system returns forwards.
With the end of the war and Britain’s poor economic situation, arms development was severely curtailed and the Farquhar-Hill would never see service.
As a result, it would take nearly forty more years until Britain’s first self-loading service rifle, the L1A1 SLR, was adopted.
SOPMOD Block 1
The Mad Duo
The SOPMOD Block 1 kit was an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine, among other weapons. SOPMOD stands for Special Operations Peculiar MODification, though neither it nor its later iterations were specific to USSOCOM.
Modern Vertical Grip Introduction
The program was part of an intentioned, systemic upgrade to what has been called the “duct tape and hose clamp” era of mounting flashlights and other accessories to weapon platforms. SOPMOD Block 1 introduced whole generations of US and allied warfighters to railed forends, optics like the ACOG, PEQs (AN/PEQ-2 et al.) of various kinds, and all sorts of upgrades that are taken for granted today…including vertical grips
They’re not just ubiquitous in a real firearm or tactical setting. They’re not just M4 or AR15 accessories anymore. pretty much everywhere in every niche associated with guns and their use. This includes Airsoft, Nerf guns, and many other things.
There are so many different grip techniques and devices that it’s hard to keep track of them all. Everything in the gun world moves in trends; some are good, some bad, and others receive mixed reactions. When I first became interested in AR-15 rifles, most of them had carry handles, quad rails, and, yes, vertical grips. It was about as normal as placing a red dot on your gun. Half of the old quad rails would tear up your hand if you didn’t have a vertical grip.
A rifle foregrip – is it necessary? Are you using it the right way, or are you mimicking what you see in the movies?
At some point, a new trend sprung up, and everyone started using the magwell of their rifle for secondhand support. All of a sudden, it wasn’t cool anymore to have a vertical grip, at least if you wanted to be “tactical.” But little did those guys know this new style would also get knocked off its rocker. Along came angled foregrips and hand stops with the free float rails. Everyone realizes you have more control over the gun when your support hand is further down the barrel.
Now, the c-clamp, modified c-clamp, or forward grip are the newest and hottest methods. Is there a reason behind this movement of tactics? And what about the vertical foregrip? Is it still relevant? The answer to that question is yes, maybe, and maybe not, all at the same time. It all depends on what works best for you. I’ll admit I’m not a fan of gun “experts” who claim their way is the only way. Aside from safety practices, different people need different gear and tactics.
Why a Vertical Foregrip?
Everyone has reasons why they like or don’t like something. Vertical foregrips are not new and can be found on some old classic guns like the Tommy gun, AK-47, and others. Automatic guns were easier to shoot with something to hang on to with your support hand. As the M16 rifle mutated into a short rifle with a quad rail, the military used foregrips in some cases, but mostly with special forces who were attaching a lot of equipment to the rail. With a short handguard, there wasn’t much room for equipment and a place to hold onto the gun.
It seems like there are as many different kinds of of AR15 front grip as there are types of rifles to mount them on.
Other people use the vertical grip because they think it’s cool. The real reason something should be used is because it’s needed. Having said that, I don’t like backseat drivers, so if it works for you, then go with it. The point is to put a little thought into why you need/want something and what works best for you. When it comes to forward grips, I’m not going to say they are a must-have or should never be used.
The last time I used a vertical forward grip was to protect my hand from heat. I performed a test on a barrel, documenting how well it held up when extremely hot. For this, we shot mag after mag without a break. The handguard was too hot to hang on to, so we used a vertical foregrip.
Where should the vertical grip go?
It’s easier to move the muzzle of your gun when your hand is closer to it instead of back on the magwell. I like keeping my left hand out as far as possible, so if I use a vertical grip, I place it further down on my handguard.
I know of an old army vet who puts his foregrip just in front of the magwell. He shoots with a forward-style grip with his arm extended (not using the vertical grip). He uses the vertical grip when carrying his gun for long periods because it’s easier on his arms.
I don’t think I’d like it, but it works for him.
Shorter vertical foregrips, aka “stubbies”, are often used to modify a grip.
People who wrap their hands around the handguard often use a vertical or angled foregrip as a hand stop. This allows you to pull your hand against the grip for leverage. It also allows you to change the angle of your grip to something more comfortable. This is why you see a lot of those short vertical grips out there.
Instead of picking a place on your rifle and sticking it there, hold the gun and see where your arm feels comfortable. Place the vertical grip where it works best for your hand.
Size and placement of the Vertical Foregrip
The reason people grip their guns as close to the muzzle as possible is for control. If you are not sure if you should use a vertical grip or go without one, try both. It’s okay to mix it up and see if something works better for you than it does for someone else.
Vertical grips come in a lot of different shapes and sizes, so check out a variety before choosing one.
If you have large hands and want a good grip on that gun, a full-size grip may be the best option. Magpul makes many different sizes to choose from, and their stuff is good quality. Deciding where to place it on your handguard again depends on your arm length, the weight of the gun, and what you like. To some, grabbing a vertical grip is more comfortable than grabbing the handguard. To each his own, right?
Do you need a vertical forward grip?
As I mentioned above, some newer grip methods are being used today, but some don’t understand why. When you see a new tactic or method, it’s fine to try it out—heck, it’s even recommended. I like having an open mind about tactics, and the only way you learn is to ask questions and try things out.
The vertical foregrip is not used as much today. People often prefer to grip the handguard of their rifle close to the muzzle for better control.
I’m a law enforcement firearms instructor, and I’ll be the first to admit that many agencies adopt practices without understanding why.
Many times, they cite “best practices” to avoid lawsuits and civil litigation. Do some research, ask for some opinions, and then try out different equipment and methods. See what you like and what works for you, not the YouTubers. I tell people to do what’s comfortable and use the equipment that makes them better.
We work pretty hard on this stuff. Do us a solid if you’re getting anything out of our writing!
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1 Comment
David
on May 21, 2014 at 02:03
I used a vertical foregrip for years, but finally decided I liked a normal forestock better. The reason was that was what I learned with in my young, formative years. I think preferences may change with each generation.
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I used a vertical foregrip for years, but finally decided I liked a normal forestock better. The reason was that was what I learned with in my young, formative years. I think preferences may change with each generation.