FOG HORN Commentary 23 April 2010

Vertical Grips & Magazine Holds

By: Sal Palma

Writers, like other folk are human. As such, we have

certain peculiarities, opinions, likes and dislikes, and
hang-ups’. This article is all about my hang-up on the
topic of vertical grips, magazine holds and weapon
handling.
In Close Quarter Combat or Close Quarter Battle, as in
longer range engagements, muzzle control is the name of
the game. If you can successfully control where the
muzzle is with respect to the target, you can usually hit
what you’re aiming at without dumping your magazine on
it. I think we can all agree on that.
The advent of the vertical grip, some years ago, opened
the door to other technologies like combat lights, aiming
lasers, battery storage, spare parts storage, bipods, loose
change storage, mounting arrangements for tape switches
and a veritable cornucopia of doodads that were supposed It represents how the majority of folks out there are using
to aid the operator. a vertical grip. Take a look at how my wrist is positioned;
However, it also opened the door to a troublesome lose in note that though my elbow is flexed the energy applied is
proficiency. forward. This works against my shoulder. In essence, I am
Things like extending your support hand as far forward as pushing the weapon away from my shoulder with my
possible on your hand guard, shouldering the weapon support hand. This effect is highly undesirable.
properly, natural point of aim and a consistent cheek weld I want to ask all NCOs, Officers, Team Leaders or Squad
were stressed at all levels of training. Yet every time we Leaders, if you observe this behavior in your team
turn around, we see evidence that these skills have gone members P.T. their ass until it falls off, or they start
by the wayside. defecating CoCo Puffs.
The vertical grip has made it possible for the operator to I apologize if the language offends some readers but this
control a variety of accessories efficiently; however, it has is how strongly I feel about the subject.
to be used properly in order for it to be effective in
controlling your weapon.

Take a look at the picture on the right.

Copyright, Sal Palma dba Twobirds-Flying Publication, 2010. All rights reserved.
 FOG HORN Commentary 23 April 2010

My next picture illustrates the proper use of the vertical In the first place, you are placing your support hand
grip. directly under the weapon’s chamber and it only takes a
couple of rounds fired for it to heat up. Aah, but you have
cool operator gloves! Those are the same gloves that
prevent you from unzipping your fly take down your
weapon or use a hand tool, right?

Here’s what’s wrong with your magazine grip.

In this slide note that my hand wraps around the front of

the vertical grip; in a manner that pulls the weapon into
my shoulder. My thumb is extended along the side of the
rail, in-line with the muzzle, and pointing towards the
target. This approach creates a stronger interface between
the shooter and the weapon; improving muzzle control
and subsequently accuracy. Also note that I’ve placed my
Take a look at the distance between your support hand
grip forward rather than to the rear of the mounting rail.
and your weak side shoulder. What happened to the size
By doing so, I create a large triangle between my support
of that triangle, it became much smaller, did it not?
arm and my weak side shoulder thus greatly increasing
Take a look at the distance between your strong hand and
stability. The weapon is locked into my body and my
your weak hand; they are sitting next to each other. A
body directs the muzzle. This is a more desirable
good smack on the hand guard will cause you to lose
technique and I am willing to guarantee that you’ll see
control of your weapon.
considerable improvements. Now, on to the magazine
Feel how light and responsive that muzzle is; that’s
hold.
because you don’t have control of it.
Since we no longer have soldiers, airmen or sailors
Folks, every single thing about a magazine grip is a
because they’ve been replaced by operators, we had to
negative; regardless of barrel length. I don’t care if you
come up with some cool new grip to go with the tanning
have an MP-5, a 10.5 inch carbine, 14.5 inch M4A1 or a
salon and hair waxing to be a proper operator1. So, the
20 inch M16A3, it is bad form and you’ll get poor results
magazine grip emerges as the new cool-of-cool combat
using it.
grip.
If you want to use a magazine grip while using your optic
Now, there is nothing wrong with being cool and I too am
as an observation tool, have at it. However, when it comes
cool. The media likes cool, the industry likes cool and for
time to light’ m up please use a proper grip.
sure the chicks like it too; however, you have to be
complete dummy to use a magazine grip.
-SP
1
I say this in jest as the operators that I know are modest down-to-earth souls.

Copyright, Sal Palma dba Twobirds-Flying Publication, 2010. All rights reserved.