AR-15 Pistol Grip Install: Get A Better Grip On Things

We all come in different sizes and with different requirements for our AR-15. What works for one person may not work for another. Grips make a difference in weapon control and shooting comfort since the grip is one of the main points of contact you have with the rifle. AR-15 Pistol grips are a personal choice, offering users a place for their shooting hand to grip for better control to manipulate the trigger and safety selector. Better control means better manipulation of the weapon. 

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The mil-spec A2 style grip does its job very well. It is thin so it fits most hand sizes, has a finger groove so hands slip less, and the grip angle is 25 degrees, which makes it ergonomic and comfortable for most shooters and applications. Notice I mentioned most shooters. The A2 grip is a one-size-fits-all type of pistol grip. Love it or hate it, you don’t have to live with it since many aftermarket options are available. 

Some things to consider when swapping out an AR-15 grip are grip angle, texture, finger grooves, palm swells, material, and I’m sure there are others. I look at the rifle’s intended purpose as a first step. Is your AR primarily for home defense? Is long-range shooting the purpose of your AR? Are you hunting with your AR? 

For example, my varmint AR has an 18-inch barrel and fixed A2-style stock. I shoot it off of shooting sticks, and the swept-back 25-degree grip angle of the A2 grip is less comfy than a more vertical one. My varmint setup uses a Strike Industries Enhanced pistol grip with a 15-degree grip angle. The more vertical grip of the Strike Industries grip is more comfortable for me to shoot off sticks while sitting, as well as off the bench using a rest or prone with a bipod. The Strike Industries Enhanced pistol grip also comes in a 25-degree model, which is similar to the A2 grip angle, and a 20-degree pistol that’s in between the 15- and 25-degree grips.

For my defense AR, I like the BCM Mod 3 grip with a more vertical angle, flat front grip, and beavertail style back strap. It is also wider, so I can grip and control the rifle when performing moving and shooting drills. I also like that I can stash a spare battery in the grip for when my red dot flatlines on me.

On my deer hunting AR rifle, I use a Hogue OverMolded rubber grip with finger grooves. It has a slight palm swell to it and seems to have been made specifically for my hand. It works great with bare or gloved hands, and the rubber warms up quickly. Think about how you will use your AR first, then consider the details.

The grip angle is important for a lot of shooters because it can offer more positive control and better recoil management. A more vertical grip is also more comfortable when shooting prone or from a bench. 

Regardless of the angle, the grip needs to be comfortable. Not everyone has bear claw hands, so a grip with a lot less girth is a good option for shooters with average to small hands. If you have large hands, you probably will want a wide grip. A wide grip with small hands, however, means you might not be able to manipulate the safety selector.

Some shooters love finger grooves, others hate them. A bottom shelf on the grip can help keep your hand on the grip even when training hard or waiting for that big buck to show itself. A palm swell provides more surface contact with the palm of your hand, which some shooters like.

The grip texture is another personal choice. Some shooters like a toothy texture. Others like a milder texture. Too much texture can make your hand raw during extended shooting sessions. Not enough texture, and your grip can slip under recoil. Consider a beavertail if you have large hands. A beavertail on an AR-15 grip increases trigger reach and lowers your hand on the grip.

Installing a pistol grip on an AR-15 is super simple. First, check that your rifle is unloaded, then separate the upper receiver from the lower. It is easier to work with just the lower. Locate the screw in the grip. A flashlight helps. Use a screwdriver, hex wrench, or whatever appropriate tool to unscrew the grip screw. I lay the lower to the left side so I can easily keep track of the safety selector spring.

This spring and the detent are easy to lose. The spring will most likely come off in the grip, so pay attention so you don’t lose it or the safety selector detent pin. I’ve searched on my hands and knees for springs and safety selector detent pins. You are forewarned. Completely remove the old grip and screw. Fit the safety select spring in the new grip, then fit the grip onto the receiver, ensuring the safety selector spring is in place on the lower, and tighten the grip screw. Done. 

READ MORE: 10 Shots in Under 10 Seconds – Bolt Action Strasser RS 700

Installing an aftermarket grip on an AR will provide you with better control and more comfort. A grip that fits your hand will provide a more consistent shooting experience. Plus, this is an easy drop-in upgrade.

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