Vertical Foregrip vs. Handstop

tacstar · December 5, 2017, 01:42 AM

I was interested in adding either a vertical foregrip or a handstop to my rail.

I am trying to decide between B5 System's handstop or Magpul's RVG vertical foregrip.

The handstops are more compact but it is my understanding that their primary use stabilize rifles against barriers in tactical situations. Although not as compact vertical foregrips offer the operator the ability to maintain greater control over the weapon.

What are your personal experiences with these devices? What are their pros & cons?

G.barnes · December 5, 2017, 06:16 AM

I prefer the handstop. I've tried and tried to like vfg's but I can't. I prefer holding the rail and using the handstop to keep the rifle tight

cmdc · December 5, 2017, 09:52 AM

I have both. I prefer the RVG. When my had gets sweaty it slips off of the angled hand stop. I use the RVG like a hand stop, so for me it's the best of both worlds.

TrueBlue711 · December 5, 2017, 03:23 PM

Definitely a personal preference. I had the same delima for the longest time. If able, try both out. My local gun store are good on returns as long as there was no scratches/damage or anything. So I bought one of each, attached them on my rifle I was trying to decide on, then kept the winner and returned the other.
Ultimately, I chose both haha I have some of my rifles with a handstop and other with VGs. I also tried angled grips...not a fan.

Charlie98 · December 5, 2017, 04:14 PM

I tried to use a VFG and failed... I just don't articulate that way. Best use I found was, like some of the other posters said, to jam my hand into it and use it that way. In the end, however, I just took it off and we roll old school...

Friend of mine has a Magpul AFG, I can see where it has it's merits, but I don't see where it would be any better than just gripping the stock forearm.

Bartholomew Roberts · December 5, 2017, 04:26 PM

Some thoughts on the subject from 7 years ago:
https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=406785

My current thinking is to use a C-clamp grip with a handstop instead of the AFG. It solves the same wrist support issue and is less obtrusive than an AFG. Pretty much everyone ends up using stubby vertical grips as oversized handstops anyway, so might as well cut to the chase. However, all the basic principles mentioned in the old post still apply (weight rolling around on top, angle of wrist/weight supported by tiny muscles, etc.)

cmdc · December 5, 2017, 05:18 PM

What Barthamew said.

Charlie98 · December 5, 2017, 09:27 PM

Interesting (link to older post.) That sort of mimics my experience when I tried to use the VFG. I wound up with a Tapco stubby as far forward as I could get it, and just jammed my hand into it with my thumb forward. I may have to revisit it and try some drills with it to see which I like better.

odugrad · December 7, 2017, 12:20 PM

I second what Bartholomew said.

I use a BCM short vertical grip like a handstop. Works great.

Nathan · December 10, 2017, 10:03 AM

IMO, the vfg is a failed concept because of how it jacks with the balance. If you use the short vfg grip where you grab the hand guard with 2 fingers and grip with 2 fingers, it works, but a handstop or angled fore grip would work better.

Moving towards hand stop myself, but I have other issues.

Nothing or grip panels is a great option too.

December 5, 2017, 01:42 AM	#1
tacstar Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Posts: 20	Vertical Foregrip vs. Handstop I was interested in adding either a vertical foregrip or a handstop to my rail. I am trying to decide between B5 System's handstop or Magpul's RVG vertical foregrip. The handstops are more compact but it is my understanding that their primary use stabilize rifles against barriers in tactical situations. Although not as compact vertical foregrips offer the operator the ability to maintain greater control over the weapon. What are your personal experiences with these devices? What are their pros & cons?

December 5, 2017, 04:14 PM	#5
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	I tried to use a VFG and failed... I just don't articulate that way. Best use I found was, like some of the other posters said, to jam my hand into it and use it that way. In the end, however, I just took it off and we roll old school... Friend of mine has a Magpul AFG, I can see where it has it's merits, but I don't see where it would be any better than just gripping the stock forearm. __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

December 5, 2017, 09:27 PM	#8
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	Interesting (link to older post.) That sort of mimics my experience when I tried to use the VFG. I wound up with a Tapco stubby as far forward as I could get it, and just jammed my hand into it with my thumb forward. I may have to revisit it and try some drills with it to see which I like better. __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

December 5, 2017, 06:16 AM	#2
G.barnes Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2011 Posts: 182	I prefer the handstop. I've tried and tried to like vfg's but I can't. I prefer holding the rail and using the handstop to keep the rifle tight

December 5, 2017, 09:52 AM	#3
cmdc Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2010 Location: Florida Gulf Coast Posts: 721	I have both. I prefer the RVG. When my had gets sweaty it slips off of the angled hand stop. I use the RVG like a hand stop, so for me it's the best of both worlds.

December 5, 2017, 03:23 PM	#4
TrueBlue711 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Posts: 489	Definitely a personal preference. I had the same delima for the longest time. If able, try both out. My local gun store are good on returns as long as there was no scratches/damage or anything. So I bought one of each, attached them on my rifle I was trying to decide on, then kept the winner and returned the other. Ultimately, I chose both haha I have some of my rifles with a handstop and other with VGs. I also tried angled grips...not a fan.

December 5, 2017, 04:26 PM	#6
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	Some thoughts on the subject from 7 years ago: https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=406785 My current thinking is to use a C-clamp grip with a handstop instead of the AFG. It solves the same wrist support issue and is less obtrusive than an AFG. Pretty much everyone ends up using stubby vertical grips as oversized handstops anyway, so might as well cut to the chase. However, all the basic principles mentioned in the old post still apply (weight rolling around on top, angle of wrist/weight supported by tiny muscles, etc.)

December 5, 2017, 05:18 PM	#7
cmdc Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2010 Location: Florida Gulf Coast Posts: 721	What Barthamew said.

December 7, 2017, 12:20 PM	#9
odugrad Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2013 Location: The East Coast Posts: 477	I second what Bartholomew said. I use a BCM short vertical grip like a handstop. Works great.

December 10, 2017, 10:03 AM	#10
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	IMO, the vfg is a failed concept because of how it jacks with the balance. If you use the short vfg grip where you grab the hand guard with 2 fingers and grip with 2 fingers, it works, but a handstop or angled fore grip would work better. Moving towards hand stop myself, but I have other issues. Nothing or grip panels is a great option too.