
Originally Posted by
3ACR_Scout
I think personal preference is directly tied to your everyday use and carry of the weapon, not just comfort when actually shooting. No offense to anyone who prefers it, but I found the AFG to be unsuitable for the dismounted patrolling that I'm used to doing in the Army. I haven't been out on the ground as much as a lot of guys, but on the extended combat patrols I've done, and in MOUT training, I found that controlling my weapon to look around corners and over walls, shine a light into dark places, and just carrying it at the ready for long periods of time was much more comfortable with a VFG. I bought into the hype when the AFG was new and took one with me to Afghanistan (after using a VFG on two tours in Iraq), and I found it uncomfortable and awkward, as did a guy that I had to periodically loan my M4 to. I haven't done as much training outside of the Army as I'd like to, but it struck me that the AFG was designed by competitive shooters who may not have to handle a weapon in that type of environment. I know that's not totally fair, because those guys have a lot of shooting experience, but for me, it forces me into one specific grip that is ideal for standing and engaging targets, but may not be practical in all situations.
I switched to a stubby VFG (Tango Down, FWIW) and find that to be much more versatile for me, in that it can be used as a "handle" with my thumb forward, a hand stop, or in an angled manner (hand half on the rail, half on the VFG, thumb over the top), while transitioning quickly between grips.
Dave
I came to the same conclusion in pretty much the same way. Though I don't think the AFG was around in 05 for my last tour. If it was it wasn't super popular then. I just kept my rifle rail smooth as the bipod already look up a bunch of hand space.
When I started carrying my rifle as a LEO I found it a lot easier to operate my light with a VFG than anything else. I now use a stubby VFG.
C co 1/30th Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade 3rd Infantry Division
2002-2006
OIF 1 and 3
IraqGunz:
No dude is going to get shot in the chest at 300 yards and look down and say "What is that, a 3 MOA group?"
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