Great Gun Stuff Blog

[ I am pleased to present this review of the new Magpul AFG (Angled ForeGrip). The review was written by Isaac. ]

Let me preface this review by first establishing that anything to do with how your body interfaces with a weapon system will not be a review that’s binary in nature. There is no universal ‘this works’ or ‘this does not work’ as empirical facts on these types of products. What feels good to one person feels bad to another.

There’s been a rapid transition from vertical grips being used in the broom-handle sense, i.e hands fully around the column, and thus providing very little stability over the center axis of the rifle. So as the hand moves higher up along the line of the bore (in terms of grip) we’ve found that we need less tall of vertical grips to accomplish that need. A further variation on that is the idea of a hand-stop, which whittles away any unnecessary design to provide only a reference point for the hand to exert rearward pressure on.

The hand-stop concept is fantastic if you run a high tang grip. For me as a shooter I run my reaction side hand (or primary if working transitions) high, to the point where my knuckles are on top of the rail. The one issue that has been raised is the supination to the shooter’s wrist, or the over-extension caused by a hard 90-degree cant on the grip; the AFG works to solve this by using an angled gripping surface for the shooter.

This review was compiled from the experiences of 3 shooters, myself, and two other experienced AR shooters who spent about 100+ rounds on each of my guns (11.5 Costa-style SBR, which is fitting for this test, and my KAC SR-15). Obviously the build quality is fantastic, it’s an affordably made, and well thought out product in terms of execution. The grip comes with two finger groove inserts, one in the A2 style nub, and one that’s smooth. I found for my hands the A2 groove interfered with my smaller hands, and I had to switch out to the flat profile insert (swappable within 1-2 minutes with only removing two screws to separate the AFG in half). The AFG mounts to the rail using a flat head screw and nut, to lock it in to the rail. The AFG takes up approximately the entire length of a standard 7” carbine rail. However you can position it further forward on the rail depending on what feels best for the shooter.

So how does it feel? Well…I’d say it’s a mixed bag. My KAC SBR uses a KAC hand-stop, and the longer SR-15 uses a non-QD Tango Down Stubby vertical grip. Each gun has it’s own unique setup as I run two completely different light/laser rigs on each. So lets start with the SR-15 first. On the Knights SR-15 the combination of Surefire Scout, AN/PEQ-15, and Magpul AFG did not feel good for me at all. The previous setup (and keep in mind this is a combination of interactions on different parts) which used the TD Stubby allowed me to slightly extend my left thumb forward to activate the light, and when using the PEQ (pressure pad is directly under the PEQ-15, placed in between the left and top rail) all I have to do is a slight wrist rotation to hit the pressure switch. When the AFG is in place it’s a much more pronounced move to hit the light. And with the PEQ-15 instead of rotating my hand back a few degrees to allow my thumb access to the pad I now have to extend my whole hand out since it’s already canted. Simply put it’s comfortable when shooting, but it’s uncomfortable when trying to work with the light and laser. The AFG also interferes with rail-mounted accessories like Larue mounts. The AFG cannot slide next to them without the user removing part of the AFG with a Dremel. This isn’t a big issue and is user-solvable quickly, but it’s still an issue worth pointing out. Since the review I’ve switched back to the Stubby, and I’ll get back to that in my conclusions.

On the SBR the results were notably better. Because I run my Surefire at the 1 o’clock position this allowed me to better high grip on the AFG, and the results were comfortable, though not perfect. The 11.5” SBR also provides an interesting test bed. As my rifle is very similar to Chris Costa’s (I run a different light setup however) so it’s a situation where my rifle matches up very closely to those in the marketing material. So taking that in to account the biggest differences become the difference in body mechanics between the two shooters.

To summarize how the AFG feels, and all the shooters independently confirmed this after our demo (we all came to the same results separately) is that the AFG can be equated to a slippage in physical purchase (grip, not money). I equate it to sitting on your back, feet against the wall, as you push out with your feet you have a solid action/re-action to what you’re pushing against. The AFG feels more like pushing against an angled surface, in that the force is somewhat translated but the force also wants to go up and out. So while it accomplishes the job of pulling back it feels less positive in terms grip. The tango down grip provides a solid 90-degree point of reference for my hands and the hands of the shooters who demoed the AFG (and I can keep an extra 123A battery in the stubby). The same can be said of the KAC hand-stop. I will admit I like the AFG just a tiny bit more over the KAC hand-stop, which is why I’ll continue to use the AFG going forward. However I’ve found that the AFG for me at least was not the right choice for my longer SR-15. I understand the mentality behind the AFG, and I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a solution searching for a problem. As I said earlier this is not going to be a binary review, this is however going to be a binary product. You will either love it or hate it. My response to it on it being announced was very mixed bag, my response to it in use is still the same. The human body is absolutely unique among individuals; ergonomics is always about creating a compromise. It’s about making what feels good to the largest percentage of individuals. I’m in the percentage that just barely considers it an improvement.

However at 35 dollars it’s too cheap not to try out for yourself, make these decisions after some range time, and see how it works for yourself. I do want to thank Magpul for allowing me to try one of these out for free, and come to these conclusions myself as impartially as possible.

[ I am pleased to present this guest post written by David Gomez (aka. redmanlaw). The photo was by his 7th grade son Joaquin. ]

The term “Black Rifle” has become synonymous with the AR-15. My Black Rifle is a 1942 Remington M1903A3.

The rifle came into the family when my late father in law Tom Ansley, a union electrician who worked in West Texas and eastern New Mexico, ordered it for $14.50 around 1961 from the Pueblo Ordnance Depot. After I married Tom’s daughter Inez I would bump into the action and barrel in the closet of his wife Emerita’s sewing room at their ranch in Mora County, New Mexico, put aside and forgotten, but not by me.

Feeling the burden of his 90-some years, Tom and Emerita had me bundle up his rifles – a pair of Savage 99s in .308 and .250-3000, a pre- 1964 Model 70 .243, a 1943 M1903A3 and an old Savage 28 12 ga shotgun - and other shooting and reloading gear one day and take them back to Santa Fe. I pledged to care for them and cherish them just as I did several years earlier with their daughter.

The unstocked M1903A3 intrigued me with “SA 4-42” stamped above and below the Flaming Onion cartouche. It had been drilled and tapped for a scope mount, its dark finish was mostly unmarred, except for some wear and tear. Wanting to shoot it, I ordered an inexpensive black synthetic stock from Cabela’s and dropped in the action and barrel. A gunsmith cut a notch in the stock for the bolt handle and checked the headspace.

I wanted to make my version of a post-war sporterized rifle, something a guy would put together for hunting deer and elk. I found a vintage Weaver K4 scope in Tom’s stuff and mounted it on the rifle. The scope was high enough so that the safety worked. I laser bore sighted it and headed to the range, actually just a berm bulldozed into some BLM land west of town.

Once sighted in, my black rifle easily shot groups of two inches or so at a hundred yards with ammo it liked. The old scope with a dot reticule was sharp despite its age. I’ve been shooting it weekly recently as I’m taking it hunting this fall as my backup to Tom’s .308 Savage 99.

Tom died two years ago this winter. I’ll be in the woods every year as long as I can, carrying one of Tom’s guns or a Marlin .30-30 I got from my dad.

[ Steve says: One of the attributes I love most about firearms is the very personal history each one carries with it. A gun will easily outlive its owner and, if well cared for, outlive generations. ]

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- Greg

Aside from the questionable name of SOCOM being applied to air rifles, I really like the styling of these new rifles. Three models will eventually be available but only the Socom Extreme is currently available to be purchased.

The SOCOM EXTREME was created for an all new level in long distance air gun shooting and hunting.

Gamo took their famous 1250 powerplant and re-tuned the beast to deliver a stunning velocity of over 1650 fps using the new PBA Platinum .177 ammo. The powerplant was matched to a precision steel, composite jacketed bull barrel which also helps reduce the larger cocking force. The precision barreled action is mated to a newly designed tactical, light weight composite stock. This specially engineered stock has a long tapered sure grip forend which leads back to pistol grip with palm swell for quick steady mounting. The buttstock features an ergonomically shaped cheekpiece which works for right and left handed shooters. Each SOCOM EXTREME air rifle is fitted with a special 3-9x50 Scope with red, green and blue illuminated glass etched reticle securely anchored by the Gamo solid one-piece mount. The composite stock reduces gun weight to a manageable 9 lbs compared to a heavier wood stock air rifle.

MSRP $399.95

The SOCOM TACTICAL is the ultimate air rifle for high performance flexibility for day or night shooting. The Tactical composite stock has a custom molded forepiece and palm swell grip area for maximum control. The fully adjustable tactical comb has a raised cheekpiece and allows for an instant sight picture adjustment using the optical or the included fiber optic fixed sights. The receiver is topped with a precision 3-9x40 AR Scope anchored by a solid Gamo one-piece rail mount. The scope is fitted with a powerful, fully adjustable precision laser and light which quickly readies the SOCOM TACTICAL for night operations. The 26" barrel is made of precision rifled steel and is shrouded in a fully composite jacketed fluted polymer bull barrel. The barrel on the SOCOM TACTICAL is also fitted with the Gamo ND52, Noise Dampening Technology muzzle dampner. Combined with outstanding velocity at nearly 1300 fps with new PBA Platinum .177 ammo. The Tactical is fully capable of handling any backyard varmint incursions 52% quieter than a standard spring air rifle.

MSRP $329.95

The SOCOM CARBINE is specially configured to offer quick mounting and target acquisition. Its Gamo power plant is tuned to deliver a sizzling velocity of nearly 1300 fps with the new PBA Platinum ammo through a short, composite jacketed, precision rifled .177 cal steel barrel. The 3-9x40 precision AR scope is securely anchored to the receiver by the solid, one-piece Gamo mount. The long eye relief and brilliantly clear optic work in tandem with the special all-weather composite stock with sure-grip forend, palm swell pistol grip and adjustable comb with cheekpiece. The shooter can instantly adjust the stock for his or her comfort.

MSRP $329.95

OpticsPlanet strives to furnish constant, meaningful product education for our sales/customer service agents and other related job titles in an effort to provide a better understanding of our products. This relates directly to the experience our customers get when ordering, and it's my job to see that this happens. Our Senior Product Specialist, Jne, will teach some non-gun-related classes, and as a professional educator, we use her classes as a template for others. Ryan will teach a couple, and the balance goes to me. This is what it looks like so far:

Binoculars 101
Riflescopes 101
Red dot sights 101
Riflescope mounts 101
Binoculars 201
Spotting scopes 101
Holsters 101
Night vision 101
Night vision 201
Radar guns 101
Laser rangefinders 101
Telescopes 101
Telescopes 102
Microscopes 101

I wish a lot of you readers could attend these basic classes. They're a lot of fun, and the tests at the end of these classes are graded and used for annual review purposes. Each employee will have to learn the basics, and be able to use them in their every day dealings with our customers. This is a very positive program.