Fore grips on long rifles?

[SingleSeat]

I'm no sniper, but I was reading about guys complaining about a lack of short range defensive aiming options in combat; i.e. getting trapped by bad guys in a stairwell on the exfil with nothing but the bolt gun in hand and wishing they had some kind of offset sight like irons or a red dot since the scope is useless at 18 yards.

Bear with me...that got me thinking about fore grips, angled or vertical...and how I never see them used on long guns with handguards. I realize it would add a few ounces to an already heavy weapon, but what about the utility of shooting standing or having another way to help pick the weapon up? Just a random thought. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences on the idea?

 

[jb0311]

I may be misunderstanding you but foregrips don’t help “pick the weapon up”, they may help some with weapon maneuvering but we generally just lifted our rifle up by the stock/handguard. As far as for stairwell applications...a sidearm aka handgun fills this role.
so basically no, I don’t see any practical purpose for putting a foregrip on this type of rifle.

 

[SingleSeat]

Yes, I realize other weapons are carried for that scenario but as I was reading, the operator was working his way down and (for whatever reason) didn't have any other firearm on his person and he was faced with a confrontation. Yes, also realize a fore grip isn't meant for picking up the weapon, but I was trying to think of an out-there reason. I'm not actually arguing a case for putting a fore grip on a bolt gun, but I'm curious if there is a use that I haven't thought of.

 

[Boltyboi]

I think you might be misunderstanding the purpose of this forum. This is a forum about precision rifles, not speculating about what if sniper fantasies.

...that said. If I'm in a stairwell with a bolt action in my hands. It doesn't really matter so much if I have a scope or a toilet paper roll in my rings. You can just point shoot something at 10 feet.

As for vfgs, why? I'm not kicking down doors with it. And it inhibits my ability to lay the forend down on whatever im resting it on. Its a precision rifle, not a 11.5 ar15. We aren't asking why the 11.5 doesn't have a thumb shelf and a 1lb trigger to help make that long distance shot

 

[SingleSeat]

Speculating on fantasies? WTF. I've always been curious about the sniper's job, and precision rifles are only a hobby to me. I was reading about someone else's combat experience, the question came to mind, and I know guys with experience are on this forum. It's that simple.

If you're ever so bold as to ask a question about my world...I'll be sure to laugh in your face too. Thanks for nothing.

 

[_Windrider_]

I'm no sniper, but I was reading about guys complaining about a lack of short range defensive aiming options in combat; i.e. getting trapped by bad guys in a stairwell on the exfil with nothing but the bolt gun in hand and wishing they had some kind of offset sight like irons or a red dot since the scope is useless at 18 yards.

Bear with me...that got me thinking about fore grips, angled or vertical...and how I never see them used on long guns with handguards. I realize it would add a few ounces to an already heavy weapon, but what about the utility of shooting standing or having another way to help pick the weapon up? Just a random thought. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences on the idea?

It was pretty standard for the mk12 to be equipped with a grip. But this is a small fram AR with an 18” barrel that could be used for close in combat if necessary. Can even do CQB if you had too. But on anything large fram or bolt gun, IMHO it’s a waste. maybe on a large frame AR you could justify it but we so rarely take unsupported standing shots like that Besides you should be using a sling and if used properly can be quite effective.