Magpul MIAD modification

[eagle5]

I love Magpul's MOE grip and enhanced trigger guard, but much like rob_s (https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=16821), I wish the combination of the two would be a little more seamless and fill in the gap. Cue stage right, in enters the MIAD. The F4 front strap with a molded-in trigger guard is included with the MIAD full kit. I figured this would solve my problem, so I took the plunge and ordered myself a MIAD full kit.

As I am sure most know, the MIAD's F4 front strap is continuous into the trigger guard and therefore takes care of the gap. I however, like others here, find the A2 finger groove that is part of the F4 strap to be annoying and uncomfortable. Cue stage left... in enters the band saw.

With a fine 100 grit sanding belt, I carefully and slowly removed the A2 finger groove. The end result can be seen in the pictures below. As expected based on the molding and thickness of the polymer, the finger groove is hollow and sanding off the finger groove leaves you with a small rectangular hole. As you can see in the pics, there is a bit of a "hump" if you will as I did not completely remove the base of the finger groove for fear of opening the hollow hole even more.

With the A2 finger groove removed, the F4 front strap is very comfortable. I guess I could have filled the hole with epoxy and resanded it for a clean and smooth finish, but I barely notice the hole is even there and it is much less obtrusive than the finger groove.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q109/eagle5_stl/P1020786.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q109/eagle5_stl/P1020787.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q109/eagle5_stl/P1020790.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q109/eagle5_stl/P1020793.jpg

[curriek]

Cool I Like it.

[Fringe]

I did this too with a dremel on one of my primaries and wrapped some OD duct tape around to smooth out the hole. I think I might use the rubber band that came with my Larue FUG in the future though.

[Kilo 1-1]

Nice clean cut. If you ever wanted to cover up that hole, you could wrap a piece of inner bike tubing over the MIAD to give it a non slip surface at the same time. It's also quickly removable if you don't like it on there.

[rob_s]

I keep meaning to do that. I'm just going to fill it up with epoxy when I'm done.

[markm]

I'm the odd man out on this. I tried the MIAD with no finger bump and couldn't warm up to it at all. I had to add the thing back. I just feel like I can index my hand position on the bean better without looking when I can feel the bump.

I had to take the MOE grip off of one of my guns for that reason.

[markdh720]

i think you have a great idea and did a great job executing it. i appreciate when people modify rather than just change parts. i don't own the miad but have used it. i wasnt very impressed with the feel but you might have just made me reconsider that grip. i also didnt realize the texture of the grip is made up of the magpul logo. not important but kind of interesting.