Updated August 2024: Removed Tyrant Mod
The AR-15 market in the United States is saturated with just about every kind of accessory you might even think you’d need…everything from lights and bayonets to even chainsaws.
But what about foregrips? What are some options for those? Lucky for you, we’re going to tackle that very subject…
And tell you about some great ones that are on the market, how to use them, and what they can do for you.
So, let’s jump in!
Table of Contents
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THE QUICK LIST
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EDITOR’S PICK VERTICAL GRIP
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Best Budget Vertical Grip
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BEST ANGLED GRIP
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Best Lightweight Angled Grip
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BEST FOR LEFTIES
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MOST COMFORTABLE
How We Tested the Best Foregrips
For us, creating these lists starts with testing the actual products…in this case, AR foregrips. When pulling this together, we asked our staff for their recommendations based on hands-on time with the foregrips. We then narrowed down the list based on durability, ergonomics, ease of install, and price.
Our combined team at Pew Pew Tactical has put hands-on time with every foregrip on this list. We send hundreds of rounds downrange over the course of weeks and even months to evaluate the foregrips we recommend.
Best Vertical Grips & Foregrips
1. Daniel Defense Vertical Grip – Editor’s Pick Vertical Grip
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Good ergonomics
- Comes in multiple colors
- Grippy rubber texture
Cons
- A bit short for large hands
This vertical grip is an excellent choice. Made of polymer, it comes in different colors and will work with Keymod or M-LOK, so you can pick the one that works best for your rifle.
A prime example of the vertical foregrip, it is shaped to fit the hand with rounded edges and flat sides.
It’s 3.25 inches tall and 2 inches wide, so it fits most hands. Shooters with larger mitts will feel like their hand is hanging off a bit, but they will still have good purchase.
This grip points straight down, allowing the shooter to grab it and pull the rifle more firmly into the shoulder.
In the next photo, you can see a variant of the traditional broomstick grip, more of a ¾ grip where the bottom of the handguard is still used, but the grip provides resistance to the rear.
Shooters using this grip will notice a difference in controlling the recoil impulse. A sight picture is typically not that tough to reacquire when using the grip to pull the buttstock into your shoulder.
In addition, it changes the ergonomics of the support arm, causing a bit less strain on the wrist than a traditional cupping grip on the handguard.
2. Magpul M-LOK MVG – Best Budget Vertical Grip
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
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Pros
- Good ergonomics
- Affordable
- Beefy hardware
Cons
- Less grippy
The Magpul version of the vertical grip is very similar to the Daniel Defense, though a bit more rounded. It’s also made of polymer, comes in a variety of colors, and can mount right up to your rail.
Where you mount the grip can dictate how you hold it. This can be changed with the amount of real estate you have on your handguard.
The MVG is similar to the Daniel Defense grip in almost all ways, though I noticed the M-LOK hardware was a bit beefier. The price is much more affordable.
Shooters using this old broomstick-style hold must be careful not to pull directly back into the shoulder; otherwise, shot placement can suffer.
I enjoy shooting with a vertical foregrip, though I do not use the traditional broomstick shooting style.
Both of these grips are great choices for long shooting days (training) if you don’t have a sling, as they help you distribute the weight of the rifle while you are in low ready or just resting the weapon muzzle down.
Horizontal or Angled Grips
Another variety of the foregrip is horizontal or angled grips. Serving the same purpose, these grips are a bit more stretched out but still offer the same advantages as the vertical grips in different ways.
3. Magpul Angled Fore Grip (AFG) – Best Angled Grip
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Lots of colors
- Comfortable to use
- Affordable
Cons
- Sometimes interferes with rail mounted accessories
The AFG is another great polymer option from Magpul that answers the same riddle with a different answer. Shooters will note the same traditional grip on the bottom of the handguard, though it angles the hand down a bit.
This subtle change makes the wrist bend slightly less, creating a more ergonomic placement.
Shooters who prefer thumb-over-bore will find the AFG a great addition. It also cups the hand and gives you reference points.
You can also pull back and develop some good shoulder pressure with the rear bumper — improving recoil recovery for follow-up shots
The front bumper can also be jammed into barricades as a stabilization point for that type of shooting. This grip is a great value and comes in different styles and as many as five different colors.
What’s your take on the AFG? Rate it below!
4. Strike Industries LINK Curved Foregrip – Best Lightweight Angled Grip
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Multiple colors
Cons
- Heats up after lots of shooting
The SI Curved Foregrip is a great choice for those who like a more traditional grip position for the support hand.
The bumpers cup the hand really well and allow the gun to be driven forward as well as pulled back into the shoulder. The inside of the foregrip is serrated and allows for great retention.
Strike Industries is known for some cool innovations, and this foregrip does not disappoint.
It comes with the Link system, which allows it to be mounted to either M-LOK or Keymod. Made out of coated aluminum, the Link is tough and very lightweight.
Special Grips
At least a couple of products currently on the market defy specific categorization because of their approach to accomplishing the same mission of the foregrip.
5. Ryker Grip – Best for Lefties
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
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Pros
- Excellent body mechanics
- Good ergonomics
- Reversible for lefties
Cons
- Pricey
- Bulky
The Ryker Grip represents a complete departure from the traditional methodology.
The developers at Ryker studied the body mechanics of shooting and moving a rifle. They then created a product that has a lot of shooters scratching their heads — until they try it.
The guys at Ryker have some interesting military backgrounds, and they have done some testing with active-duty military who have given them feedback.
Also, the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) gave the Ryker Grip the thumbs up, so even though it looks totally different, some serious shooters have given it the nod.
The basic concept is that it serves as an ergonomic grip that mounts on the side of the rifle. This position places the thumb up and palm in toward the rifle.
Having used this unorthodox grip, I can tell you it removes a lot of the binding that happens in the wrist and forearm. Shooters can drive the gun with surprisingly better accuracy and speed.
The Ryker is made of polymer and it is tough. Plus, it is reversible, so lefties need not despair.
Although the Ryker was designed for Picatinny rail, the company now sells an adapter that allows shooters to mount directly to M-LOK. The company also recently released a model with a built-in weapon light button.
6. Bravo Company KAG – Most Comfortable Alternative
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Minimalist
- Good ergonomics
- Affordable
Cons
- Only comes in black
Developed by BCM in conjunction with Travis Haley (Haley Strategic Partners), the Kinesthetic Angled Grip is a minimalist approach that brings maximum results. The KAG reminds me of a comma, and it is every bit as useful.
This small grip has a foot firmly planted in the horizontal and vertical foregrip worlds. Mounted on the bottom of your handguard, the KAG serves as a great reference point for the back of your hand.
It is so small that you hardly notice its presence, but it is extremely comfortable.
It cups the back of your hand and angles it down slightly, releasing some of the binding that happens in the joints when you raise a file.
Despite its small size, it holds enough of your hand to allow you good backpressure, pulling the rifle snugly into your shoulder. With the KAG, you can shoot a traditional support grip (albeit more ergonomic) or a thumb-over-bore.
Sadly, the KAG only comes in black. But hey, there’s always spray paint if you’ve got a theme or scheme in mind.
What is an AR-15 Foregrip?
It can actually describe a pretty broad category of devices you add to the handguard in order to offer a different kind of grip. When holding an AR-15, shooters typically hold the handguard under the bottom with their support hand in a cupping grip.
However, over the years, different objects have been added to these handguards to change the way the support hand merges with the gun. This is often based on the shooter’s personal preferences.
What Does It Do?
The general idea of the foregrip is to help you with recoil control. While the AR platform chambered in .223 or 5.56 is not an untamable beast when you pull the trigger, rapid-fire or full-auto variants can make it more difficult to control shot placement.
The foregrip is a handle that offers more resistance to recoil impulse than a round handguard. This allows you to snug the rifle harder into your shoulder.
You can also push foregrips into barricades to stabilize shooting positions. In this article, I covered a few foregrip sub-categories: vertical, horizontal, and special.
Vertical foregrips are pretty common, and they are essentially a bar mounted to the bottom of the handguard of an AR. Referred to as the “broomstick” in the military, the vertical foregrip has come in a few different variations, and they offer some distinct advantages.
Horizontal is a category that means the grip typically runs more along the bottom of the handguard, but it still manages to give you more of a grip to pull the rifle into your shoulder.
Special grips are exactly that. Although their design may be based on one of the above categories, they are different enough to warrant a special section of their own.
Final Thoughts
There are so many great options out there when it comes to mounting a foregrip to your handguard.
Ultimately, you have to decide which will work best for you, and the only way to truly know that is to try them.
I have used all the above products and find them to be excellent. Depending on how you use your rifle, you may find one that is a great fit for you, too.
Regardless, if you get one and like it, you need to train with it!
So…what is your favorite foregrip? Tell us about it in the comments! Once you have a foregrip – you’ll want to grab some other upgrades for your rifle! So, check out our articles on the 5 Best AR-15 Flashlights, Best AR-15 Handguards, and the Best AR-15 Upgrades.
45 Leave a Reply
I love the strike. I got one for my 10" Banshee pistol and is so comfortable.
For someone with no experience with foregrips, is there any relatively inexpensive way to figure out which one might work best for them? Even at $20 or $30 apiece for the cheapest ones, trying 3 or 4 of the different styles adds up to a fair chunk of change. Even more if you get the more expensive models. And at the end you have several "rejects" in the drawer just taking up space.
Magwell works just fine as a grip..........no $ or extra weight.
I just use the 30 round Mag............works fine.
I assume you meant magwell and not mag
Another good article as always, but I also think you're missing a few salient points that are very relevant. For example, why no comments re: when an AFG is the only option vs a vertical grip as it relates to barrel length and AR rifle vs pistol? I run 300BLK which is optimized for a 10.5 barrel in my setup... so that means I have a pistol per ATF and can't run a vertical grip unless I get a tax stamp for an SBR. I can, however, legally use an AFG or hand stop. Also, surprised there's no conversation re: vertical grips and bipods. While not as common these days, it wasn't long ago that many used a bipod that was in the handle of the vertical grip. All that said, I love the KAG and most things designed with or by Travis Haley including their collaboration knives with Toor. Worth adding, the KAG is one of the few that comes for 1913, M-Lok or Keymod. And its short enough to fit on the short, lower rail of a Kel-tec P50... most others are too long.
A., yep, using the same platform and love the KAG.
Skip the others and go with the Bravo Company KAG if ya just gotta have a grip. I've tried all of these at one time or another, none of them do or help anything better or worse overall than the Bravo Company KAG plus it costs less than the rest on this list. But! If you have carpal tunnel or De Quervain tenosynovitis the Magpul Angled Fore Grip (AFG) will be your best friend.
I’m just looking for something best that fits a 7.5in ar pistol 223/556
Same. Remember it’s a federal law that you can’t use a vertical grip on an ar pistol. What I have been trying to find out is if we can use vertical stuby grips. I’m guessing not but I’ve found YouTube videos that say otherwise.
for something like this your best bet for it to fit and also not break any laws, the Arisaka Indexer. I have the indexer on my mcx and not only does it work great, it doubles as a barricade stop
Mid-Evil Industries 360 VFG - kinda gimmicky, and 5.2 ounces is not so good when you want to keep weight down.
is there an angled foregrip that is California legal?
There is no confirmed legal angled foregrip, however, any angled foregrip that is NOT a vertical foregrip should be legal on both featureless and fixed magazine rifles. Personally, I stick to handstops like the Strike Industries Link Curved Foregrip.
Its been a while, but the last time I looked - in California vertical grips are not permitted but angled grips are permissible.
isn't it still this way?
all gun laws are illegal, I dont let commies rule me, this is still America right? but if you are determined to comply, bcm kag, or ‘hand stops’. please vote commies out
Most people I know use the vertical grip to impart more force when using the muzzle end as a striking or thrusting weapon and use a c grip when running and gunning.
C grip is amongst the stupidest fashion to hit the firearms community... bunch'o'spec force wannabees
....and you're an idiot.
I feel that. These modern day fools is lame.
…and like Cody…you’re an idiot too.
can’t believe a full length vtr didn’t make the list.
Fab Defense makes some really good AR hardware too, foregrips included.
I really like the Vendetta Precision Angled Grip. Sturdy aluminum, and has a tone of ways you can use/hold it.
Would the Ryker Grip be legal on an AR pistol?
The riker is considered a foregrip not a handstop
Is that a Radian Model 1 you're mounting to in the pics?
looks to be an LWRC ic-di handguard
Where should i put a Magpul broomhandle grip on a SBR with 11.5 inch barrel with Magpul front cover? In the middle or front of grip? Thanks.
Paul, I'm not sure what you mean by front cover.
With that short a barrel, I'd place it as close to the muzzle as you can get without risking your fingers. That's going to give you the best muzzle control and maneuverability. If this doesn't answer your question, give me some more details.
I meant front handguard.
Thanks
Okay that makes sense. Placement depends on grip. If you're grabbing the fore grip fully with your support hand you can go as far forward as you dare. Most rails will stop short of muzzle blast risk. If you place your hand in front of the fore grip, like in the second image of the Daniel Defense grip above, you may want to scoot it back a smidge.
What about California laws?
Brian,
I can't give legal advice but this is what I found online:
Section 12276.1. (Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 911, Sec. 3.)
Cite as: Cal. Penal Code §12276.1.
(a)Notwithstanding Section 12276, “assault weapon” shall also mean any of the following:
(1)A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:
...
(F)A forward pistol grip.
(2)(B)A second handgrip.
It seems if you have a detachable magazine, adding a "forward pistol grip" turns your rifle into an "assault rifle".
B5 systems grip stop beats them all hands down
I operate my AR15 one handed, therefore I do not have to worry about a foregrip.
WTF? I use my toes.
Marcia, if the time for confiscation does come I'm not gonna be worried about what grip is on my rail. In fact I'm not gonna be worried about anything but me, my family and my close circle of former teammates who all will be right behind me.
I was searching for this review a week early lol. Had a really hard decision between Arisaka's finger stop & Rail Scales Karve P. Decided to go with the Karve P. Seems like minimalist stops are the new go-too's. The B5 Gripstop & Zero Bravos hand stop seem to be popular offerings too.
Thanks Spike, some nice prospects to pick from. I'm with you...minimal.
Since having a "pistol grip" on the gun is one of the defining features of an "assault rifle" perhaps having the angled foregrip is the better way to go come time for confiscation. Just sayin'.
When it comes to confiscation, I just want something which will give me a grip like a Louisville Slugger, which I can use after I've run out of ammo, and my bayonet is so dulled it can no longer penetrate.
just stick a 12g co2 charge behind the bayonet; it'll penetrate alright lol
Oh yeah, it makes sense Marcia. Brilliant idea, keep them coming please!
If you mean that because you can better control recoil and have faster follow up shots to drive off the confiscators, I agree.