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glen
01-31-10, 18:38
seriously considering getting an omega x 12.0 because with the carbine length rail I'm running now I can't get my hand out as far as I want to, and now that I added a light (surefire in a vtac light mount at the end of the top rail), it's even worse. (have to move my support hand grip back to reach the push button with my thumb).

The only question in my mind is the exposed fsb. It gets pretty hot and so am wondering if during manipulations or firing the weapon one's support hand might contact it and get a good burn, especially since I favor a thumb break/thumb forward support hand grip that puts the hand higher up the sides of the rail.

Anyone with any experience on this?

ztf HITMAN
01-31-10, 22:40
Gloves! :D

SWATcop556
01-31-10, 23:44
I haven't run into any issues shooting a friends DDM4. No gloves required either though they are a good idea.

FishingFool
01-31-10, 23:52
Deleted

bkb0000
02-01-10, 00:02
yes- you'll burn yourself sometimes. and that's ok.

glen
02-01-10, 08:23
ztfHITMAN - well, yeah! :D

SWATcop1911 - thumb break grip too? where does your support hand rest on the rail?

FishingFool - I see. i have a carbine length gas system so I forsee my thumb and part of my palm by my thumb's base will be pretty much in the area of the gas block. A slight shift and it could touch the front sight..eowtch! Things would be better with a middy...but then again, no fsp rails for middies yet iirc.

nowadays I tend to be squared more than bladed so extending the stock too much feels a bit awkward.

bkb0000 - once in a while is ok, all the time is not. :D

I figure if I use an AFG instead of a VFG my support hand will be a bit lower on the rail and less prone to hitting the front sight?

JSantoro
02-01-10, 08:55
All you need to worry about is your thumb, unless you have some hideously malformed hand you're not telling us about (extra fingers, webbed, etc.).....

The AFG, being an inanimate object, won't do anything to prevent your thumb from touching the FSB. Only you can do that by adjusting your grip, with or without the AFG, to avoid it.

Also, gloves are more than a helpful suggestion. Many hem and haw about "Well, if SHTF, I won't be wearing gloves...," which is a disingenuous argument. If you wear gloves while training, one's ability to manipulate the rifle can only improve if you end up gloveless when you're not training, but employing, your carbine. The folks that say different are the same type that will swear on a stack of bibles that they can see an object at night and at 300m better with their bare eye than with night-vision devices. Horse puckey.

If you DO have a hideously malformed hand, first, my apologies for making light of it, and...forget what I said about gloves unless you have a custom leatherworker on retainer.

ztf HITMAN
02-01-10, 09:38
I like gloves. If the SHTF, not having them on won't be a problem. While training, you won't even know that they're there. You don't have to buy Brand X Tactical gloves either. Just get the appropriate size mechanix gloves for around 20 bucks. Here's a vid link to see Mechanix Wear gloves in Tactical Training Applications.......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5HGCimD-iY

Hope this helps.

FishingFool
02-01-10, 10:46
Deleted

ForTehNguyen
02-01-10, 11:18
$18 Mechanix Tactical Coyote gloves from Amazon FTW

glen
02-02-10, 07:14
Well, I am looking for a longer rail to get my hand further towards the muzzle. With the thumb break/thumb forward hold, I foresee my hand getting really close to the front sight. Something like this:

http://soldiersystems.net/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/afg_6-420x315.jpg

If you'll look here, part of his palm is awful close to the front sight. Some guys grip with thumbs and part of their palm over the top rail where the front sight/gas block would be on a carbine, like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2598/4106370869_0989e87d07.jpg

Then again, some grip like this guy, much lower on the rail. He's one of those who probably only has to worry about his thumb:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/4199045812_abb_895d_3cf_b-tfb.jpg

I honestly don't know how high or where exactly I'll end up holding, that'll come to me after I've actually experimented. But it will definitely be out further than where I am currently limited by my carbine length rails.

Basically I'm looking for input from people who use fsp rails who have any observations for or against them, especially with regard to support hand positioning.

About the AFG, I was thinking its added thickness on the bottom part will lower my grip a bit but looking at the pics I dug up, it won't really be a help or hinderance.

And maybe the first pic answered my question! :D

JSantoro
02-02-10, 08:48
I'm a little confused about why using a vfg vs afg would lower your support hand.

It wouldn't, he's just gotten to the point that he's chasing the mice running around in his head. We've all done it over something on our guns.

Glen, it's a foregrip, not a claculus final, dude! :D

glen
02-02-10, 09:21
It wouldn't, he's just gotten to the point that he's chasing the mice running around in his head. We've all done it over something on our guns.

Glen, it's a foregrip, not a claculus final, dude! :D

Haha yeah, I've chased down most of the mice looking through those pics! :D

If you thought that was bad I'm glad you didn't see me agonizing over OD or FDE! :D

ForTehNguyen
02-02-10, 09:35
I hold mine like this, ive tried the thumb forward thing like I used to on a VFG thumb break grip. Not feeling it on the AFG, so I grip it differently

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm49/PreludePowerR/IMG_7796.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm49/PreludePowerR/IMG_7797.jpg

texag
02-02-10, 10:33
I don't know how far out on the rail you plan to have the VFG, but I've had no problem with my DDM4. I don't even shoot with gloves.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs120.snc3/16769_10100161099237714_8368319_59602902_1191934_n.jpg

As you can see, my thumb will be really close to the FSB when I'm using the X300. Still no problems.

252actual
02-03-10, 18:11
not sure if its been mentioned or if you already ordered your rail but bravo company has the DD Omega X 12 for about 50% off. just ordered one myself.... if that doesnt make up your mind i dont know what will :)

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Daniel-Defense-OMEGA-12-0-FSP-Rail-p/dd%2010005.htm

glen
02-04-10, 05:07
ForTehNguyen - I got to handle a rifle with an AFG and carbine length rails today. I also ended up gripping it differently from the thumb forward grip I do now with a VFG. Initial impression is it was not as comfy as with a VFG and it would interfere with activating my light. Not dismissing anything till I give it a fair shake though, especially since I haven't tried it with a longer rail which it seems designed for.

texag- That's about where I would initially try my VFG/AFG if ever I get the DD rail. Good to hear no negatives from this position, thanks!

252actual - That's what got me thinking on it in the first place! :D