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Shark
1 December 2009, 19:17
What?! No AFG offers? Looks like I was too slow on the other boards, and thought Dr. Drake might have made an announcement here. :(

Anyway, looks like a neat product. I'm one of the "thumb break" dudes, and was going to replace my VFG with the stubby one. Now Magpul will save me $40 on a new forward-type grip. ;)

VLODPG
1 December 2009, 20:17
Unfortunately no love for us here!

I find that there is alot of knowledge here & at M4 without the nonsense.So If that means no freebie here to try one out,that ok.

I should be able to get one within a month or so at a normal price to try out.

Looks like another winning product by Magpul

rebelEMPIRE
1 December 2009, 21:08
Can't wait to try it out. Looks much more comfortable when shooting thumb over bore. I've been shooting without the Vertical grip because it fatigues my ring and pinky fingers after a while. This might be my answer to an ergonomic, low profile solution.

I'm surprised WE didn't get an offer from Magpul. Yet, at the same time, I am relieved we don't get much the same traffic as the other boards do. It can get quite hectic and out of context.

-rebelEMPIRE

For Reference: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=124&t=182094

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz314/Magpul_Industries/AFG_9.jpg

Shark
1 December 2009, 21:36
Heck, I'd put in an order for one tonight if they were shipping!

Optimus Prime
2 December 2009, 01:23
Crap... that's what I get for being away from the computer all day. The one day of the week I'm not looking at the Magpul forum every hour!

federalist22
2 December 2009, 02:20
I have always felt that the standard VFG was uncomfortable......and I am a gadget geek. I want one.

7KOPPER
2 December 2009, 12:11
You guys are lucky that this forum has little drama. There was no intent to exclude you guys.


edit to add I've got the ten, thanks Fellas. No more emails please.


Next 10 guys that post here and then fire me off an email .........and include WE screen name, birth name, address and phone # will receive a sample of the AFG in around 2 weeks.

Don't bother sending an emial if you're not one of the 10. I've received over 300 emails from guys asking for free stuff. Cheers.

edit, I'll try to spend a little more time over here. I'm spread pretty thin and usually have to go to the forums to put out fires, no fires here, ever and I thank the members for that. Love you guys!

Quib
2 December 2009, 12:15
That's quite an offer Drake! Hard one to pass up!

chenzzo
2 December 2009, 12:17
I'll take you up on that Drake! I missed out on the other sites. Thanks for the offers!

Oborous
2 December 2009, 12:25
Would like to be in. Am Canadian, maybe this excludes me... sending e-mail anyways.

(BTW, I want to see the picture of the voodoo dolls lined up for smashing, if required....)

bigcoastie
2 December 2009, 12:25
I'm definately in for one thanks for hooking up WE.

Slippers
2 December 2009, 12:29
Count me in! Thanks.

alt154shiver
2 December 2009, 12:31
I'd love the opportunity to try one out. I'm actually headed off for training for a deployment here shortly so I might just get to put it through it's paces.

Titleist
2 December 2009, 12:41
Dibs!

Drake I think I missed out when you did this on M4C, so let me know if I made it over here. Thank you if I did!

m24shooter
2 December 2009, 12:42
In.

dcbiii
2 December 2009, 12:59
I'm totally in.

chem_guy
2 December 2009, 13:00
In.

7KOPPER
2 December 2009, 13:29
That's it fellas! Thanks. IT'll be around two weeks. Cheers.

Go4broke
2 December 2009, 13:30
I'm in

Narco
2 December 2009, 13:37
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/4153549820_5176525e82_o.jpg

Charlie-2-6
2 December 2009, 14:06
Dang stupid timezones. Now us Eurotrash have to wait till these reach the shelves. And I so wanted to be the first "Old Continent" beta-tester. Oh well, better luck next time.

federalist22
2 December 2009, 14:18
Damn! I posted this morning on this thread and had to go to work, so I missed the offer. Ouch. Guess I will have to wait till it hits the dealers.

federalist22
2 December 2009, 14:48
What texture does he have on his XTM panels?


http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz314/Magpul_Industries/AFG_9.jpg

Army Chief
2 December 2009, 15:40
I'm joining in a day late and a dollar short, but it would appear that we can glean at least three things from this thread:

1. There is nothing new under the sun. Similar concepts have been discussed here and elsewhere before, and I was exploring the utility of wedge-based VFG solutions (http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=23811&highlight=wedge) around this same time last year. Anyone remember this mockup?

http://m3resource.com/images/vfg_concept.jpg

2. The conventional VFG, while still useful, hasn't emerged as the end-all, be-all solution for every application. No doubt this runs contrary to the expectations of many in the community at large -- though it really shouldn't have for anyone that was paying attention to real-world feedback from the field.

3. Ever-true to their vision for innovation, it took Magpul to bring this from design to distribution. I've always found it curious that the team had never sought to introduce a VFG concept prior to this, and it would appear that they were simply waiting for the right idea. Score another solid win for the boys north of Boulder.

I didn't make the top 10, but I'll surely be moving in this direction nonetheless. This is truly an idea whose time has come.

AC

rebelEMPIRE
2 December 2009, 19:16
I definitely remember reading about it, AC. I wonder who came up with the idea first though.

Textured XTM panels. Digital CTR Stock. Angled Foregrip. --They're all teasers, but I wonder what else Magpul may be hiding up their sleeves! I guess you can say I'm excited. lol

Sadly I didn't get in, myself. Honestly was up all night thinking we might get an offer only to fall asleep around 08:00 AM. Regardless, it won't be long until we all get our hands on one--patience.

-rebelEMPIRE

HeavyDuty
3 December 2009, 06:16
I can't believe I missed it at all three places. That's what I get for working a fatal yesterday... I should have ducked the page!

Keebsley
3 December 2009, 07:38
I could be wrong but I believe the textured XTM panels are probably done with a soldering iron or something similar in a woodworking kit. Close to or same concept as people doing their own texturing to their Glock grips etc.

Hoss356
3 December 2009, 14:04
I wonder what else Magpul may be hiding up their sleeves!

I'm not sure if this, http://www.magpul.com/pdfs/fmg9.pdf, has been posted on here before but leave it to Magpul to tease me with the only way I think I'd buy a glock. As for the AFG, I'm saving my money for ammo right now. I made myself a deal, nothing new for the rifle until I have alot more range time with it but who knows, I like the idea and 6 months from now I may pick one up if you guys can convince my that it's the greatest thing to come along since the advent of cheese.

AC, who knows, maybe your article was a spark or more fuel for the fire during the design of AFG.

federalist22
3 December 2009, 14:47
I could be wrong but I believe the textured XTM panels are probably done with a soldering iron or something similar in a woodworking kit. Close to or same concept as people doing their own texturing to their Glock grips etc.

I have seen some people spraying or brushing on a maritime (boat) floor texture coating (kinda rubbery grippy) like the one used on this guy Toby's Rem700 5R MilSpec (I have one of these rifles--the article is great, so is the gun) - http://www.tobystactical.com/

Shark
3 December 2009, 16:06
Wow! Missed it on my own thread!!! No computer access at 12,500 MSL. :(

federalist22
3 December 2009, 17:10
Wow! Missed it on my own thread!!! No computer access at 12,500 MSL. :(

That really sucks for you too---like the rest of us.

OUTLAW-ONE
3 December 2009, 18:26
I'm not looking for a freebee, I would gladly pay for one....

Army Chief
3 December 2009, 18:45
AC, who knows, maybe your article was a spark or more fuel for the fire during the design of AFG.

Perhaps, though I suspect more of the latter, if anything. It seems most likely that the problem simply lent itself to a relatively obvious solution for any thinking man that was paying attention to the ways in which conventional VFGs were coming up short.

Whatever the case, to me this is less of an Intellectual Property question than a cause for celebration. The AFG won't fit every conceivable application, of course, nor is that it's purpose; still, I do feel that we're getting the right product from the right vendor at the right time, and I look forward to validating the concept.

AC

Optimus Prime
3 December 2009, 19:15
How do I miss it on two forums?!? Two posts before Drake pops in no less.

Oh well, guess I'll still have to buy them like everybody else.

federalist22
4 December 2009, 01:42
I'm not looking for a freebee, I would gladly pay for one....

what would be really cool is if Drake will pop back in and private message us to sell us one for eval--not looking for a handout here either. i'll keep dreaming.

OUTLAW-ONE
4 December 2009, 04:23
what would be really cool is if Drake will pop back in and private message us to sell us one for eval--not looking for a handout here either. i'll keep dreaming.

our lucks not that good. I'm pissed I missed it on both AR15.com & here. I must check these two sites at least 3 times a day. I missed out on the VFG because I was sleeping after working my last out shift from 11P-7A, then go to the Criminal Justice Center for court for a Robbery arrest till 3P. Finally home to sleep to get back up for the next round at 11. Thats why I missed the offer...Boo whoo, woe is me!

Optimus Prime
4 December 2009, 13:01
That's sounds eerily close to my excuse.... those 11p-7a shifts are slowly killing me.

Shark
4 December 2009, 21:47
I was hoping for a PM, too. :(

Heck, I even have my CC# ready to give Magpul or Direct Deposit my paycheck. ;)

Mike
5 December 2009, 10:13
Found this somewhere on the net, url-source is obviously magpul:

http://www.magpul.com/pics/afg5.jpg

Probably interesting for those shotgun-types out there?

JustMatt
5 December 2009, 14:35
All that MagPul kit probably costs more than that shotgun to begin with.

AceV
6 December 2009, 10:27
All that MagPul kit probably costs more than that shotgun to begin with.

The UBR stock alone almost gets it there.

Urban Tactical Gear
6 December 2009, 12:26
so am i correct that these are not yet available?

Mike
6 December 2009, 13:08
ETA is mid december. So the saying goes. Not specified which year, though. ;)

But as they already gave quite a number publicly away for T&E and marketing purposes, most probably the release will be in the near future.

Urban Tactical Gear
6 December 2009, 16:16
i gotta try one of these out. that grip on the standard vfg was one of the main things i took away from the magpul dvds.

5thprofession47
6 December 2009, 22:02
I'm looking forward to getting one of these too! Brownell's usually gets Magpul stuff rather quickly so I hope that is the case in this instance!

I found these pics and thought I'd share....

http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/MagpulAFG2.jpg

http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/MagpulAFG.jpg

hwaya
7 December 2009, 15:01
Here are some more pics I found from the previous link.
http://www.magpul.com/pics/afg1.jpg

http://www.magpul.com/pics/afg2.jpg

http://www.magpul.com/pics/afg3.jpg

http://www.magpul.com/pics/afg4.jpg

http://www.magpul.com/pics/afg6.jpg

http://www.magpul.com/pics/afg7.jpg

http://www.magpul.com/pics/afg8.jpg

http://www.magpul.com/pics/afg9.jpg

montgomerygentryFan
7 December 2009, 15:23
hwaya, those are some nice pictures.

Just curious, is that a SF M69 or a clone forearm on your 870 and is there any less wobble with the AFG versus mounting a VFG? Also who makes the AR adaptor on the 870? Thanks

hwaya
7 December 2009, 16:22
montgomerygentryFan, those are not my pictures. I just found them.

montgomerygentryFan
7 December 2009, 20:39
My mistake, I was too preoccupied looking at the pictures.[BD] But thanks for sharing.

Urban Tactical Gear
7 December 2009, 20:57
oh wow. lovin that ak with it...

Sak007
7 December 2009, 23:15
I'm still waiting on the rubber miad grips[bash][bash]

chem_guy
16 December 2009, 09:15
Anyone heard anymore about these? TOF is raving that they will be released this week.

bigcoastie
17 December 2009, 11:22
Well Drake just said the T&E just shipped out, so I would think they should be coming soon I doubt this week though

chenzzo
17 December 2009, 12:02
I just got my shipping confirmation from Magpul!

Slippers
18 December 2009, 11:23
Hmm no shipping confirmation for me. :(

I definitely sent in the requested info, so hopefully it still shows up.

Edit: Fedex just stopped by. :)

So far I'm having some fit issues, unfortunately. Neither my TD SCAR nor Magpul XTM panels fit directly above the front half of the AFG when on my Omega 9" rail.

Also, my Surefire Scout with stock mount cannot fit in the 3 o'clock rail spot either because the locking knob is too big, and since the mount is not reversible, I'm SOL on that one.

federalist22
18 December 2009, 13:56
Hmm no shipping confirmation for me. :(

I definitely sent in the requested info, so hopefully it still shows up.

Edit: Fedex just stopped by. :)

So far I'm having some fit issues, unfortunately. Neither my TD SCAR nor Magpul XTM panels fit directly above the front half of the AFG when on my Omega 9" rail.

Also, my Surefire Scout with stock mount cannot fit in the 3 o'clock rail spot either because the locking knob is too big, and since the mount is not reversible, I'm SOL on that one.

If you can't make it for you, I would be happy to eval it in your stead.....sadly I was about 2 hours late on the offer.

Urban Tactical Gear
18 December 2009, 15:11
wonder if they will be ready before the middle of next month. i'd like one for a class i've got coming up.

Go4broke
18 December 2009, 16:28
Just got my AFG and i think its pretty slick ! I did run into some of the same issues as Slippers.

Mounted on a MOE hand guard = GTG

Mounted on a DD 7" Omega with XTM Rail Panels and a scout light.
The first XTM panels at the 9 and 3 oclock positions need to be removed or trimmed down so you can slide the AFG onto the rail.
The QD mount for the scout light also gets in the way so i'll just move it to a FSB mount from M.I.

Mounted on a LaRue 9" rail = GTG

I think the AFG is going to work best with middy rails 9" and longer. It will allow you to push you're hand further out for better control.

m24shooter
18 December 2009, 16:39
I just got mine. I didn't have any issues getting it on my 12" Omega with Magpul ladders and XTs at 3 and 9.
I can say that I have not been a fan previously of the thumb over bore grip because it was uncomfortable with either either a slick rail or a VFG. This has solved that issue at least. This may be what I needed to get comfortable using that grip style.

Go4broke
18 December 2009, 16:57
Oh...I allmost forgot to give a big THANK YOU to Drake and Magpul for giving some of us lucky bastages the opportunity to test these before the masses.[:D]

Slippers
18 December 2009, 19:58
Mounted on a LaRue 9" rail = GTG


So with the LaRue rail you didn't have to remove the XTM panels? I wonder if the different width of the rail compared to an Omega allows for this....

Go4broke
18 December 2009, 21:35
So with the LaRue rail you didn't have to remove the XTM panels? I wonder if the different width of the rail compared to an Omega allows for this....

Slippers...sorry i should have been more specific...i have ladders on the side rails of the LaRue.You can just replace the foreward XTM panels with a piece of ladder and keep the rest of the XTM panels on.

chem_guy
19 December 2009, 14:25
EDIT: Added pictures - unfortunately, my camera broke and I had to use my phone.

I received the package from FedEx yesterday and had time this morning to install and do some dry run testing.

I mounted on my MOE handguard with the assistance of an Ergogrip polymer rail.


http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy49/clayandjulie/Shack/Photo262.jpg


I chose to mount further forward to help compensate for my long arms. A mid-length or rifle length handguard/rail/free-float system is really ideal for this setup. However, one can compensate a little with the carbine/M4 setup.
http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy49/clayandjulie/Shack/Photo263.jpg


I did some action/reaction side transfer drills, some urban prone drills, and reload drills. The AFG is a value added piece of equipment that definitely show a lot of forethought in its design.


The only con that I can come up with is the interchangablity of the finger shelf. I would have figured that they would have used a similiar design to their MIAD grip for the swap out piece.


http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy49/clayandjulie/Shack/Photo264.jpg

http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy49/clayandjulie/Shack/Photo265.jpg


I will definitely be adding this to any of my future builds.
Magpul did an outstanding job on this one.

m24shooter
19 December 2009, 14:58
Just some preliminary shots. Wife took the camera I normally use, and most of the pics I took were junk. I'll have to redo them tomorrow.

The AFG disassembled. The grip comes put together, but it is actually two halves and an interchangeable finger groove/smooth front plate. The two halves lock together much like a XTM panel. The front plate fits in a slot between the two halves. The user can select smooth or the finger groove, and the groove can be oriented up or down. Two small machine screws hold the two halves together, and a large screw secures the unit to the rail.
The AFG takes up 15 slots on my rail. I did not have any issues with my DD rail, Magpul XTs, and Magpul ladders, but some people have had issues with the XTM panels at the 3 and 9 due to the width of the AFG.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/afg%20review/components.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/afg%20review/DSCF0010.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/afg%20review/DSCF0009.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/afg%20review/DSCF0008.jpg

The carbine it is on. Midlength LRB/RA billet with Lite 12" rail. Lights are TLR1 and SF Helmet Light.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/afg%20review/DSCF0011.jpg

SuicideHz
19 December 2009, 19:22
I definitely remember reading about it, AC. I wonder who came up with the idea first though.

Textured XTM panels. Digital CTR Stock. Angled Foregrip. --They're all teasers, but I wonder what else Magpul may be hiding up their sleeves! I guess you can say I'm excited. lol

Sadly I didn't get in, myself. Honestly was up all night thinking we might get an offer only to fall asleep around 08:00 AM. Regardless, it won't be long until we all get our hands on one--patience.

-rebelEMPIRE

I believe anyone can get their stock or any other item dipped just as Travis did. Also, the the stippling of the XTM panels isn't too difficult- depends on whether you want some sort of "perfection" or not.

BTW you'd be surprised to find out when I first mentioned a concept like this and to whom I mentioned it to. We all come up with neat ideas briefly, just never know how to fully exploit them the best. Most of us aren't in any position to exploit them at all. ;)

Shrockp
19 December 2009, 20:38
Hey is there any threads for do it your self stippling.... and maybe ones for thinning down KAC rail panels

HeavyDuty
20 December 2009, 05:23
BTW you'd be surprised to find out when I first mentioned a concept like this and to whom I mentioned it to.

I hope it wasn't Dick Swan. [BD]

Lastrites
20 December 2009, 14:22
Hey is there any threads for do it your self stippling.... and maybe ones for thinning down KAC rail panels

DIY stippling on plastic isn't too difficult, just a little practice helps. Get yourself a soldering gun/iron and exchange the tip out with the implement that achieves what you are looking for and this is where the practice comes in play. The tip might end up being a nail or a screw with the end shaped a particular way to give the look you want. I practiced on my cordless drills grips until I found what I was looking for.

federalist22
21 December 2009, 05:14
I would probably be more willing to add texture by applying something rather than burning into the surface of the product. I read an article a while back about a rifle, that I ended up buying one for myself, where a guy used Herculiner (roll-on truck bed liner) to treat the stock grip and forearm of his Rem700 MilSpec 5R SS .308 Winchester. His pic came out pretty nice and he loves the feel.

Click here for a pic - http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5TA5KUuAKds/R_xXPIqxEPI/AAAAAAAACI0/LvVvmyG0Smw/s1600-h/5R+043a.JPG

Click here for the whole article on the Rem700 5R .308 Winchester (now available in Winchester 300 Mag) - http://www.tobystactical.com/2007/11/remington-700-ss-5r-milspec.html

Herculiner (Drawback: limited colors........ - Black) - http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/product.jcw?nval=0&statenval=510001314&productId=2000789&shopid=100002&pageid=13&skuId=283143&id=3320701

aceat64
21 December 2009, 10:21
I'm really hoping Magpul comes out with a replacement lower for their handguard that has an AFG built into it.

Slippers
21 December 2009, 23:45
I managed to get it to work with my panels, but I had to move them all the way to the rear of the rail (well almost all the way, I wanted the QD sockets exposed). The front of the AFG juts out under the FSB a bit, but seems to (coincidentally) match up to Travis' setup. Two pairs of magpul xtm panels fit behind it.

I found that when holding the AFG with your thumb over the top of the rail you don't even touch the exposed sections of rail, and since you're pulling back towards your body, there's no chance to accidentally touch the FSB and burn yourself, either.

I still haven't found a way to put my surefire scout in the 3 o'clock rail position unless I get a new mount, so I have left it off for now, since I don't like it on the 9 o'clock spot (I'm right handed).

Unfortunately I only got to put a hundred rounds down the range with it before leaving for the holidays, but it definitely feels more comfortable to me when compared to having no AFG/VFG/hand stop, and I found I was able to hold the rifle up for a longer period of time before fatiguing, since I don't have to grip the rail while pulling it in tightly. The AFG allows you to relax your hand slightly but still have a secure purchase due to how it has the lip at the bottom that the edge of your hand rests against, and the finger groove (if you so choose).

Quick pic mounted on my full bcm midlength:
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3342/afg0001.jpg

m118lr
22 December 2009, 14:13
Once I get mine I will post something. Looks like from what some of you have posted it is going to be a good product.

alt154shiver
23 December 2009, 21:20
Mine came in the other day. Got a chance to toss it onto my LWRC M6A2. Snapped a couple of pictures and I'll be working on a review as soon as I get a little more time with it. After Christmas I'll be bringing the AFG with me, and we'll see how it feels on an M16A2.

http://web.me.com/jallegri/webpix/rifleafg.jpg

http://web.me.com/jallegri/webpix/afg.jpg

Initial impression is positive. It is a well made piece of gear that lives up to what is expected of the Magpul name. If you do utilize the thumb over bore grip the AFG is definitely an ergonomic improvement. I'm in a similar boat as shooter. I just haven't really gotten into the TOB grip, but this AFG might just sell me on it. I've been playing with TOB without an AFG and it is faster IMHO. I just wish I'd had the AFG for the short range marksmanship drills we were doing the other day. More to Follow.

-alt

103m 95g
24 December 2009, 14:35
3 of them were deliverd today to me.
here is a quick pic

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww237/Modularweapons/DSCN2330.jpg

5thprofession47
24 December 2009, 15:52
I just placed an order for one through Brownell's! It was $29 with my discount.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=31804/Product/AR_15_M16_ANGLED_FORE_GRIP#

federalist22
24 December 2009, 17:15
Thanks. Just ordered two to try them out.

Urban Tactical Gear
25 December 2009, 18:40
i just got a facebook message from magpul saying these are ready to order

chenzzo
26 December 2009, 17:19
First off, thanks to Magpul for sending so many of these out for free for people to test them out and evaluate them. I know most of the people who got these are probably big AR guys and have tried every different AR doodad out already, but having just finished my first AR, I thought I might offer a little different insight.

First off, I love how this thing is put together. If you're familiar with any of the other magpul gear, then expect the same level of quality here. It's very solid and well put together. Minor gripe is that to mount it you use a flat head screwdriver but to take it apart to change out the finger grip insert you have to use an allen wrench. Minor quibble but it seems like using the same sort of fastener would have made it a little more user friendly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/chenzzo/MAGPUL%20AFG/afgsideinsert.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/chenzzo/MAGPUL%20AFG/sidew223.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/chenzzo/MAGPUL%20AFG/afg3-4.jpg

Secondly, (and this is not an AFG issue, rather a MOE hand guard issue) is that once you add a piece of rail on the bottom of the hand guard and then add some sort of fore grip to it, that leverage pulling on the hand guard make it seem a little less stable than it does when you're just holding on to the hand guard itself. I didn't notice that much wobble in the hand guards when I shot with them last week, but once you add a VFG or the AFG, the leverage generated from your hand pushing on the fore grip, exaggerates the issue. It's worse with a standard fore grip than with the AFG though. As a result of this, I'm most likely going to get a rail system of some sort eventually.

As far as mounting the AFG goes, it's a snap. I used a 4" piece of aluminum rail from ERGO. I don't think you really need more than that unless you're wanting to add something else on the rail as well. The 4" piece is almost exactly the same length as the AFG. In the pics below you can see a little rail sticking out the back, but that's just because I've got the AFG riding forward where my hand naturally falls when I do this grip style. The single bolt goes through the rails and locks the AFG in place.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/chenzzo/MAGPUL%20AFG/afgbottom.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/chenzzo/MAGPUL%20AFG/afginside.jpg

Look at the pics below to see that while it does take up more horizontal space on the rail, it takes up a TON less space vertically, and would be ideal for a SBR or CQ rifle where you're trying to avoid having bits of gear sticking out to catch on stuff.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/chenzzo/MAGPUL%20AFG/mountedrail.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/chenzzo/MAGPUL%20AFG/mountedvfg.jpg

The finger grip protrusion worried me when I first saw pictures but it falls directly between my first two fingers and the last two fingers. As easy as that piece is to flip over or remove and replace with the smooth insert though, I can't imagine any one having problems. I was also worried about the overall size of the AFG, because I have very large hands, but it seems to have been designed with that in mind, or with gloved hands in mind, as it fits my hand almost perfectly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/chenzzo/MAGPUL%20AFG/afgonlybottom.jpg

This last picture is to show a bit better how the AFG interacts with the MOE hand guards since I've seen a ton of people asking about it. I can definitely see Magpul making a version of the AFG that just replaces the bottom piece of the MOE hand guard. It seems like it would be the natural progression to just alter the MOE hand guard altogether or increase the price a bit and give a straight bottom or a AFG bottom piece.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/chenzzo/MAGPUL%20AFG/afgfrontview.jpg

As far as using it goes, I haven't had a chance to fire it with the AFG installed yet, but the bastardized grip that I was using with the VFG is the exact same grip that the AFG pretty much automatically puts you in. From the pistol training I've done, I know that the closer your hands are to the same axis as bore of the gun, the more accurate you tend to be and the less felt recoil you perceive. As such, the grip that the AFG forces you into does pretty much the same thing on the AR platform. For me personally I can't see paying 50-100 for a standard vertical foregrip that I'll be jury rigging to work with this grip style, when someone out there is now making something that works perfectly for this style and is considerably cheaper.

The ergonomics of it feel very nice in the hand. I've let some other non-AR rifle shooters feel the gun with with the AFG installed and they commented on how natural it felt. The fact that you don't have to over-supinate your hand makes a world of difference in the pointabilty of the rifle. Personally if I supinate my wrist in the typical hunting rifle position for a long period of time, the tendons in the back of my hand start to ache. That doesn't happen for me with the AFG, which is another reason that I like it. It definitely seems like a lot of thought went into this to get the angle and the ergonomics down.

That's about it till I get a chance to shoot with it installed. Thanks again Magpul!

5thprofession47
30 December 2009, 20:48
My AFG arrived from Brownell's today!

m118lr
31 December 2009, 14:25
Mine came in today. After taking it out of the package and reading the instructions I slip it on my Larue rail. It went right on with no problems. I did a few dry fires and the first think I did was remove the finger shelf and replaced it with the flat one. The instructions again were very helpful. The finger groove one did not work for me. I will know more once I do some live fire with it. Thanks to Magpul, Travis and Drake for letting me try one.

http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/snipersustainment/AFG.JPG

http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/snipersustainment/AFG1.JPG

http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/snipersustainment/AFG2.JPG

bigcoastie
7 January 2010, 09:11
Here's my take on the AFG after using it for just over 500 rounds. After receiving one of the ten AFG's that were given out here on Wevo (thanks Magpul [:D] ) I was excited to say the least. Overall the design is good, it went on all three of my rifles easily and mounted solid, I'm not going to post any pictures because it seems like there are plenty already so I'll just include my observations.

After mounting and doing some dry fire drills I opted to change out the insert to the flat instead of the a2 style. I have small hands and my fingers just didn't seem to line up well w/ the A2 style, having the option to change inserts was a very good move on Magpuls part. The changing of the insert is easy and from what I could gather they both seemed to fit equally as secure.


After getting an insert in that I liked and a chance to hit up the range I started to do drills, from low ready bringing my gun up and pop off a few shots. I pretty much did this for the first couple hundred rounds in different variations facing left, right, backwards etc. and moving but all in all bringing the gun from low ready or sul. I didn't shoot any prone so I'm not sure how it would feel but to be honest I never hold my rifle the same while in prone or kneeling as I do while squating, double kneeling or standing. After burning through some ammo I decided to see how it was while shooting multiple targets (to test how well it helped with movement of the rifle from left to right etc.) as well as firing multiple shots on one target to see how it helped with controlling recoil.

The biggest surprise while using the AFG to me was the fact that it seemed to be almost natural. I know ergonomics play a large role in fatigue and comfort and overall the AFG seems to be the best option on a rifle that I've used. As for perceived recoil or speed while shooting multiple targets I couldn't honestly tell you it was any faster than using a vfg, it did seem to put less stress on my wrist and didn't require me to readjust my grip. At one point I realized as hard as I was trying to think about how the AFG felt I was just thinking about the target and my trigger squeeze.

Overall I'd give the AFG a 9/10 it's comfortable and "just feels right" also the price is right, it's very easy to install and modify, it locks up tight, and has a low profile. The only negative that I can see is that it has to slide onto the rails so if you put rail covers or anything in front of it, they will need to be removed if you decide to remove the AFG later (a QD version would be nice, but would obviously increase the price) and the length, I don't run anything under my rail other than a VFG and have rail systems that are 10" or longer but I could see it becoming a possible issue if you have to mount anything underneath (possibly a qd bipod) with it not being QD and taking up so much space.

kjd2121
12 January 2010, 10:54
Mounted my AFG to my Larue rail. I am using Magpul XT rail covers on the side rails and the AFG won't fit where there are covers. Bummer. I got the AFG to slide a little bit over the cover, but not very far. Appears that the lip on the AFG interferes with the covers on the narrow Larue rail.

federalist22
12 January 2010, 16:25
I installed on a DD M4 Rail and the XTM covers seem to fit normally without interference with the AFG. I did find that rail-mounted QD sling mounts (DD and Gear Sector) cannot be mounted on the M4 Rail directly over the AFG, but instead have to be mounted forward of it.

bigcoastie
12 January 2010, 17:36
I believe the DD rails are more oval than the LaRue so it makes sense.

Slippers
12 January 2010, 18:23
I believe the DD rails are more oval than the LaRue so it makes sense.

Larue and DD M4/Lite rails are all right around 2" wide. It's the reduced height of the bottom rail on the Larue that makes the AFG harder to fit. This causes the AFG sides to come up and nearly touch the 3 and 9 o'clock rails, whereas on the DD rails you still have some clearance.