Modular Vertical Foregrips For AR-15 / M16 | Crimson Trace Lasergrips
Anyone use this? What are your opinions with it? Seems to be a slick design. Good or bad idea having it all together in one unit? Does it cut down on bulk rather than having separate pieces?
Thanks for your input.
My best friend has it on his patrol rifle, coupled with a Burris AR332. He really likes the set-up. I don't like VFGs at all, so it is not for me. I have used them quite a bit including running over 100 people through a course with one on a 10" PWS FA AR.
While the engineering and durability is good, the mating together of three functions (VFG, White light and Laser) all-in one unit does leave a bit to be desired unless you train with it until it is instinctual. I've seen people turn the unit on/off when they did not mean to (especially in FA). There are modes for both, instant and continuous so you also have to know how you have it set. The white light is nowhere near bright enough for serious work, but too bright for subdued work.
Then there is the whole laser aiming thing. Do you set for a parallel hold to 100, or crossover at 25, 50? I am used to training and shooting with the sight line over the bore, so it took me some thinking for getting my close precision hits since the laser is under the bore. The green laser, outdoors in daylight is good to about 35 yards or so, at night, 200+ yards hits on 10" plates is easy.
I still have several CTC Railmasters, in fact my 10.5" 300BO has a CMR201 on it. I have decided I much prefer the laser over bore, but I much prefer the light under bore. Because of the potential for shooting supported, I usually end up with the white light on the side right side. I like the Streamlight white lights and, depending on what you are doing for primary (or secondary if the laser is primary) sights, the Burris laser systems are pretty spiffy too. The mass of a railmaster and the Streamlight I use is less than half of the MVF. If I also had a VFG, would be about the same.
A lot of the choices depend on what you are going to use the light/laser for. I have used them a lot in the last few years in matches, hunting and training and I will admit that the more I see and learn, my preferences have changed, or matured based on actual use. If you use one, make darn sure you have a very strong rail and use a good piece of rail and locktite the screws. Test the POA/POI shift under extreme conditions to be sure. For a 16" patrol carbine, if you are already going to use a VFG, then it might be a good choice if you put in the training hours.
