I've wondered the same thing. I was disappointed when I got my full MIAD kit.
Printable View
Am I the only one who uses the bump on the A2 grip as a shelf for my ring finger to get a nice secure high grip? Or do I have the smallest hands here?:p
I like the A1, certain setups I don't mind the A2 bump, but many others I do.
A1 is my perfered style - however I like the texture with the MIAD in that format much more than the actual A1 grip.
I can live with the A2 (and did for years) on a 5.56mm gun, but the bump just rubs me raw when shooting a 7.62mm gun, I went so far as to file the bump off a demo Battle Rifle when shooting it at the LAC-M4C Industry class last year, and now run MIAD's exclusively on the demo guns (with the exception of the M110 SASS which is stock)
Edit - coldblue (Lt. Col. Dave Lutz, USMC ret.) here is also my boss at work and the 'father' of the M16A2, if I am paraphrasing him correctly he beleived the bump was a good reasurance for troops in combat based on his experiences in RVN, keep in mind that was way before any of the aftermarket grips where ever designed.
Can't remember where it was, but I recall being told by someone I deemed credible at the time the the A2 ridge was for added stability by allowing the index finger better leverage while the weapon/forearm was being "twisted".
True or not, this thread has prompted me to get another MOE, as I have another A2 that needs replacing.
I was at a local gun shop a couple days ago.The guy had a Charles Daly carbine on the shelf and I ask to see it. It had the 1/9 twist barrel,but it also had the old A1 style rear grip on it.The store owner had said It was a NIB carbine,which it looked to be.I was just wondering why that style grip was on a NIB weapon?
I use A1's on my retros.....does this count?
Finger grooves were in vogue when the A2 was designed. Other then that I can see no reason for it.
Well, playing the Devil's advocate, I would guess....
1. The A2 grip aids in repeatability of hand position.
2. The Longer A2 stock aids in prone shooting by increasing the LOP.
3. Obviously, the A2 sights were an improvement for target purposes.
The focus seemed to be on increasing the usuable accuracy of the rifle.
That said, I prefer the A1 grip, the A1 stock and the A1 sights. But I am a short dude, and I hate tinkering with sights.