Best AR-15 Grips – Complete Review [2022]

| Last Updated:
July 27, 2023

Unlike handguns, a shoulder weapon has much higher accuracy potential due to the rifle's three-point lockup. That means the rifle is held at three points: by the forend, by the grip, and at the cheek.  

By using proper grips that allow you to hold the rifle in a pistol fashion, you’ll effectively control the weapon.

It gives you a maximum of comfort and keeps you in control in any situation.

Comparison of the Best AR-15 Grips

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Drop-in design
  • Best AR-15 Pistol Grip
  • Made from high-quality polymer
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  • Available in different finishes
  • Made from high-quality polymer
  • Designed to fit most AR-15 rifles
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  • Made from high-quality polymer
  • Available in four different colors
  • Weighs approximately 100 grams
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How to Choose an AR-15 Grip

Finding an AR-15 grip will take some time. You’ll need to know exactly which characteristics and features stand out in making sure it’s better than any other grip on the market. You’ll also need to know how to distinguish a great AR-15 grip from one that is considered not great in quality and performance. Here are some things to look for:

Price

If you’re on a budget and need an AR-15 grip that will last you a long time, look for one with the best performance and quality. More importantly, you’ll need to find one that fits your budget perfectly. Find the best quality you can afford and you’ll have one that will stick with you for a long time.

ar15 with foregrip and pistol grip


A pistol grip and foregrip are visible on this model
Source

Installation

A great AR-15 grip is something that can be installed in a matter of minutes using the right kind of tools. Nine times out of ten, you won’t need a gunsmith to get the job done for you. That’s because these grips will be mostly drop-in designs.

Materials

If you want a grip that will last you a long time, find one that is made from the best materials. For example, polymer is one of the most popular materials on the market because of its durability and likelihood to survive any impact or abuse. Furthermore, polymer is also great if you want to have a better overall hold on your rifle for additional stability.

Review of the Best AR-15 Grips

The following is a list of the three best AR-15 grips currently on the market. As you go through each one, it’s important to note all the features and characteristics so you’ll be able to find one that will match your ideal AR-15 grip. If you find one that’s close enough, you’ll know it's a winner in your eyes. Now, let’s begin by taking a look at the first grip on our list:

Best AR-15 Pistol Grip:
Magpul AR-15 MOE Grip

Pros

  • Fits most AR-15 pistols and rifles
  • Easy to install, takes a few minutes to install
  • Super-durable, can take on abuse and impact
  • Great for average-sized hands and even larger-sized hands
  • Interchangeable and can be switched between rifles easily

Cons

  • Not ideal for smaller-sized hands
  • Some Dremeling may be required to smooth out any edges

What Recent Buyers Report

New users were quite satisfied with this grip. They were able to add this onto their AR-15 rifle or pistols for the best stability possible. One user said he was able to get a nice vice-like hold on it to shoot accurate, precise shots because the rifle was as stable as possible. 

Why it Stands Out to Us 

This pistol grip is made from high-quality polymer that not only allows you to get a good hold on your AR-15 rifle or pistol, but will give you a firm grip even when your hands are wet from perspiration or precipitation. It’s not so much the recoil and muzzle jump you need to worry about getting rid of. It’s the elements that may cause you to lose your grip in even the most adverse of weather conditions.

Who Will Use This Most 

This will likely be used by those who are target shooters. But don’t count this as useless for hunting by any stretch of the imagination. Your goal here is to make your rifle or pistol as stable as possible while using it for your desired application. 

Bottom Line

If you want a grip that will give you the best possible stability for your AR-15 style pistol or rifle, then a great pistol grip will work in your favor. It’s durable, reliable, and gives you the best gripping ability possible. This accessory is a must if you’re having trouble keeping control over your rifle due to recoil and muzzle jump.

Best AR-15 Foregrip:
Magpul AFG1

Pros

  • Excellent design
  • Fits most AR-15 rifles
  • Excellent ergonomics
  • Easy to install, takes a few minutes
  • Super-durable and can take on impact and abuse

Cons

  • Some fitting may be required
  • A little expensive for most budget shoppers

What Recent Buyers Report

This foregrip was a huge plus for many new buyers. They were able to install this in a few minutes before taking it out for some good old-fashioned target shooting. One new user said it gave him a lot of stability and resulted in accurate shooting.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

This foregrip allows for a better grip on the front of the AR-15 rifle. It will allow for better holding and will stay cool even if you’re shooting for longer periods. It is a high-quality grip that will be easy to install without any alterations needed on the rifle itself. 

Who Will Use This Most 

This will be used by those who want a replacement for their factory default. Most factory defaults are disappointing and will even get a little hot to the touch after a shooting session. If you want something tough, durable, and which provides the best possible stability, this might be the foregrip you’ll want on-hand.

Bottom Line

The Magpul Picatinny AFG1 Angled Foregrip will be a great addition to your rifle if you want something for the front half of your rifle. This will give you better handling and stability so you can shoot accurately and consistently. 

Best AR-15 Magwell Grip:
Fab Defense Mojo Grip

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Excellent stability
  • Insanely lightweight
  • Allows for quick magazine changes
  • Construction is very durable and can take on impact and abuse

Cons

  • None

What Recent Buyers Report

New buyers were quite satisfied with this grip. They were able to add this onto their AR-15 rifles in a matter of a few minutes. Once they did, they not only experienced better stability but also were able to change out their magazines faster than with factory default grips. One user said he uses this for competition shooting and it saved him all kinds of time.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

This Magwell grip is small, sturdy, and can take on a lot of scuffing and abuse. You’ll want it to be tough so it won’t get easily damaged by the constant changing of magazines. A not-so-great Magwell grip will usually scratch and scuff up badly after several mag changes. So if you want something that will be difficult to damage, this Magwell grip will be your best option, especially when you want something to hold the magazine securely in place.

Who Will Use This Most 

This will work to your advantage if you’re a competition shooter. This may also come in handy in any other shooting application when time is not on your side. For example, you could have your sights set on a target while hunting, only for your magazine to jam on you. If you need something that will help you change out mags in a matter of seconds, this grip will help you remove one and add another without missing a beat.

Bottom Line

The FAB Defense Improved AR-15 Magazine Well Grip will likely be your best option if you want something that will not only keep a magazine in place through most applications, but will also ensure you can switch out an old magazine with another in a matter of seconds. This is a must-have for your rifle if you’re using it for competitions and hunting applications.

Types of AR-15 Grips

When we talk about grip, it’s usually going to refer to where your trigger hand is. It’s the main point of contact with your rifle and is going to provide you with the control you need and the ability to aim the gun. For your Black Rifle, these are usually pistol-style grips, although new laws in several states force the use of “featureless” grips.

On an AR-15 there are also two other points that are types of grips. The most common is the foregrip (forward grip). Here, you can provide extra support to your rifle and help hold it steady while firing.

There’s also a less-commonly used type of grip - the Magwell grip. Its value is dubious, honestly. But it provides a grip for holding your gun by the magazine well instead of by a foregrip.

Pistol Grips

One of the essential features in marksmanship skill is the distance from the back of the handgrip to the trigger. A poor grip can mean poor accuracy, which will make shooting a lot more difficult than it has to be.

Unlike straight or upland-style stocks found on classic rifles and shotguns, the pistol grip is not part of the stock. It’s usually found just behind the trigger. It’s held by the hand and keeps it in a forward, vertical orientation. This useful attachment gets the name a "pistol grip" since it resembles the grip angle of pistols as opposed to traditional rifle grips.   

The very first weapon utilizing the pistol grip was a Belgian percussion carbine-pistol of Delvigne type by Lesoinne Et Pirlot Fils, Liege, dating to the mid-19th Century. After almost half a century, the idea for the pistol grip was renewed during the World War I in some designs of machine guns.

As lighter automatic fire weapons, such as the Thompson submachine gun (yes, that’s the “Tommy gun”!), developed, arms makers recognized that the pistol grip gives the shooter better control over the firearm during rapid and burst firing. It merges into one essential point which provides improved hold, control, and reloading of the firearm.

Today it’s unimaginable to find modern assault rifles without a pistol grip. The AR-15 is no exception. All standard-built AR-15s have the A2-style pistol grip, which is made of durable polymers or reinforced fiberglass. They’re one-size-fits-most and will work well for lefties or right-handed shooters.

Still, some people find that aftermarket modifications are necessary. Considering frequent complaints that stock pistol grips are a little too skinny and cheap-feeling, numerous manufacturers have offered other models of pistol grips. These can serve different purposes, enabling a far more comfortable shooting experience and better purchase on the grip.

Improvement and perfecting of the AR-15 platform seems like a never-ending story. The most recent trend in pistol grip design leans toward grips with a reduced grip angle. In this case, it may not so much be a case of market demand as anti-market demand. Laws in a number of states prohibit pistol grips or classify rifles with them as “assault weapons” - which brings with it all kinds of hoops to jump through. We’ll talk more about the laws in our article on featureless grips.

A vertical angle facilitates a more square stance. This is a bladed stance that has become less and less popular over time. The newly-designed reduced grip angle is excellent for putting your hand and wrist in a more neutral and comfortable position when shouldering an AR-15 pistol. It’s also good for a rifle with the butt stock collapsed all the way.

Foregrips

In the early stages of automatic firearms development, a problem was quickly noticed: muzzle climb. It was happening even with a full-length barrel and flash suppressor.

To fight this, frontline combatants started fitting homemade hand grips to the forearm in an effort to control the climb and stabilize the weapon. Of course the market caught on and began offering a number of the vertical foregrips that can be grasped in a pistol-like fashion. This allowed shooters the potential for increased weapon handling and control.

There are now other foregrips besides the traditional vertical forward pistol grip (VFG). These also aid in control but are not exactly vertical grips. They are grouped as Angled Fore-Grips (AFG) and Hand Stop attachments.

These grips feature simple installation under the AR-15 rifle barrel on a standard Picatinny rail platform or via KeyMod-Compatible Handguards. These newly-designed forearm grips take into account natural body mechanics and provide a comfortable and stable user interface. It reduces fatigue and provides for more precise weapon control.

If you really want to maximize the usefulness of your grip, then the 2-in-1 concept of a vertical foregrip is unsurpassed. Some front vertical grips can be converted to a bipod. But grips also serve multiple functions, such as extra storage space for batteries or any other item.

When it comes to choosing between an angled foregrip or a more traditional vertical foregrip, most gun enthusiasts agree that it is a matter of personal preference and recommend trying both models. But angled foregrips do have a more ergonomic design, offering inherently more stability and control. On the other hand, the vertical foregrip is more versatile and gives a more natural feel to shooters.

Some states (looking at you, California, Connecticut, and New York) also place restrictions on foregrips similar to those mentioned above. So be sure to stay abreast of your local laws to keep away from problems with the government.

Magazine Grips

Apart from the already mentioned well-known rifle supports, we should also mention magazine well grips. The manufacturers claim in their ads that a magazine well grip transforms the magazine well into a comfortable, close, ergonomic foregrip which allows for easy release and insertion of the magazine.

However, many gun experts consider grabbing the mag well as one of the least desirable options for the ergonomics and mechanics of how the body and rifle work together while shooting.

Regardless of how often it is seen in movies, it is not a good idea to grip the magazine when firing. Actually, during rapid fire, the gun is subject to much more muzzle rise and the magazines are highly susceptible to damage to their feed lips. The jolt of the recoil could easily cause it to bend or get jammed by foreign matter.

Recent Laws and Changes

Almost every day, we are all witnessing some inexplicable bloody events across the country as well as government pressure on law-abiding citizens by imposing new restrictions on guns. The "Black Rifle" and other similar auto-loaders are classified as assault weapons in California, New York, and few other states if they exhibit certain features. Since the details vary by state, we won’t go into a high-level of detail here. But grips are one factor you need to take into account to stay on the right side of the law.

The AR-15’s pistol grip may be its second most-recognizable feature, only behind the carrying handle on top of the receiver. However, this is the most significant aesthetic and functional change owners will have to make for compliance with these laws. You’ll have to replace the pistol grip - and sometimes even a pistol foregrip - and replace it with another type of grip to qualify as a featureless rifle.

Benefits of Investing in a Quality AR-15 Grip

You have no idea what you’ll be missing out on if you decide on not getting a grip for your AR-15 rifle. If you do decide to take the leap and get one, you’ll be quite happy with the benefits that come with a great AR-15 grip. They are as follows:

Better Stability

If you’re struggling to keep hold on your AR-15 rifle due to a huge amount of recoil, there’s a good chance you’ll need to find an AR-15 grip that will work to your advantage. These grips allow for excellent hold and make your rifle more stable. Better stability also yields another benefit (which will talk about right now).

Better Accuracy

Is it possible to attain better accuracy with the use of an AR-15 grip? The answer is, yes. A stable rifle will allow you to fire off shots and consistently hit them exactly where you want them to go. Plus, you’ll even eliminate a good deal of muzzle jump and felt recoil in the process. 

Can Be Used in Most Environmental Conditions

These grips are so tough, they can withstand a good deal of abuse. Not to mention, they will still give you some pretty good gripping ability in bad weather, as well. So if your hands are soggy from the rain or are sweating profusely, these grips will prevent the rifle from slipping right out of your hands.

Conclusion

Choosing a pistol grip is not rocket science, but as with everything else AR, the choices are vast, starting with left-handed, right-handed, or ambidextrous grip options.

Furthermore, when we throw in rubberized finishes, aggressive texturing, palm swell, and finger grooves, making the right decision becomes a bit more complicated. The most important thing is to pick a grip that feels comfortable and sturdy in your hand. That’s what going to lead to the most accurate shooting for your activities.

Michael Lutes

Michael Lutes is the managing editor and owner at Gun Mann. He is a veteran, gun enthusiast, 3 gun competitor, and 2a advocate. Mike has a passion for innovation and education across the industry to create great content, training, and insights from the best and brightest.

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