It’s no secret that AR-style rifles are incredibly popular, accounting for something close to a half of a percent of all of the firearms in the country. That’s roughly 5-10 million AR platforms in safes, stow-bags, and at shooting ranges across the nation.
In today’s blog from RailScales®, we’ll take a look at AR forend grips and the give most commonly cited reasons why people choose to add them.
Adding a Forend Grip to A Popular AR Platform
The AR, named for the Armalite rifle that many other manufacturers built on in later years, is popular for its versatility more so than for any other single reason. Available with barrels ranging from .22 to .308 and beyond, and a host of handguard rails, forend grips, sights, and other tactical options, virtually no two ARs that come off the assembly line together will look anything like each other within a few short months after purchase.
In this way, the AR is representative of the overarching American Philosophy of freedom of choice. Here is a tool that is wonderful all on its own, and yet, you can change, modify, and improve it as you see fit. One of the most common ways people do so is by adding a forend grip, and here are the reasons why:
Increased Control
Regardless of the style of AR forend grip that you choose to go with — vertical or angled — you’re going to get an increased amount of control on the rifle. Supporting and holding a barrel without a forehand grip is just fine, but it does leave you to deal with vertical recoil, and that can be a problem when you are dumping rounds fast.
By adding a second point of contact below the rail on the upper receiver, a forend grip also lowers the off-hand shoulder, allowing for slightly less tension in the arm and shoulder (unless you are using a C-clamp hold on your rifle) allowing for you to maintain steady control of the AR for longer.
Consistency In Your Form
Ask a novice shooter why they like their forend grip and they will likely site the reasons above and below this one, without being able to identify why the latter — increased accuracy — actually happens. Ask a pro shooter, and they will rattle off a longer list than we have, but chances are good that they will focus and talk about this one.
Simple question: What is the single most valuable trait of a good shooter? Is it the quality of their weapon? Is it the tactical optics and AR accessories they have accumulated? No.
One word: consistency
You’ve probably heard the old axiom, “Practice makes perfect,” but we really hope that you don’t take that at face value because the truth is that practice makes permanent. Practice doing something wrong and you won’t become perfect, you’ll just keep doing it wrong forever.
A quality forend grip on your AR rails allows for a consistent and permanent reference point so that you can assume as close to an identical stance and grip as possible every time you touch your rifle, allowing you to practice “perfectly,” so you can perform when it matters.
Increased Accuracy
Because you are able to practice shooting with form and grip consistency when you use a forend grip, you’ll begin to see an increase in your accuracy as you spend more time shooting with your new forend grip.
Don’t be surprised if when you first add it, you feel a little frustrated here and there during your first couple of shooting sessions. Your grip has changed and you’ve added a small amount of weight to the front of the AR — make sure to allow for an adjustment period.
Once that is done though, you’ll notice that you can more easily create tight groupings and successfully drive the gun as you transition between targets.
Versatility For Real-Life Applications
Although we hope you never find yourself in this situation, the reality is that a forend grip provides some pretty strong tactical advantages in real-life applications, especially if you find yourself in tight quarters.
Forend grips, as established, give you much greater control of your AR. This means that a muzzle strike to incapacitate or neutralize, as opposed to eliminating, a target wields more power and is more likely to be successful.
Additionally, should a struggle for your weapon ensue, you have a second point of control on the rifle from the get-go, improving your chances of ending up in possession of it.
Improved Aesthetics
While this one might not quite fit into the performance-based reasons that make up the rest of the list, you can't forget about the aesthetic qualities of many available forend grips. A forend grip immediately adds a sense of tactical sleekness to an AR.
Color choices, texture styles, and other options also allow you to craft a rifle that is unique to you.
Accomplish All Of This and More With AR Forend Grips and Accessories From RailScales®
For hand stops, forend grips, and our nationally famous G10 RailScales® to customize your weapon and improve your performance, shop online at RailScales® today. Our RSB, LDAG, ANCHOR and KARVE all would great picks for your AR15 forend. The RSB mounts to MLOK and is made from 6061 aluminum with a type 3 hardcoat anodizing finish. Same applies to all our other aluminum derived offerings. Getting a forend product from RailScales means you have chosen the highest quality product on the market for forend accessories. At RailScales we set the standard for products and what is expected for AR15 accessories and forend components.
How to Improve Your Forend Grip Experience
We’ve been discussing reasons that you should add a forend grip to your AR system. Now it’s time to learn how to elevate that experience. Forend grips help you to improve your accuracy by providing you with a consistent and permanent reference point so you can find the same position quickly and easily every time you pick up your AR-15. But what if you could take it one step further by adding extra grip with a G10 rail cover? At RailScales, that’s exactly what our products do. Our flagship product, and where our company got its name, RailScales provide you with extra grip as well as heat protection for better accuracy and an improved overall shooting experience. This all can be had as well as having the best looking accessories on the market. Who wants to have just a plane Jane forgrip when you can have something that looks good and functions as it should? No crazy anodizing colors or blown through products that have holes everywhere for no reason other than poor design work. When you buy from RailScales you are buying the best.
G10 RailScales® in M-LOK
Our G10 RailScales® in M-LOK is designed to enhance your AR-15 shooting experience. With several patterns available to provide you with a textured grip and heat protection on your AR handguard while shooting, our RailScales are an excellent way to get more out of your AR-15 forend grip.
The G10 RailScales® in M-LOK are designed to fit M-LOK rails. Available in several lengths and patterns and featuring a superior direct attachment method, these rail covers are exactly what you need to elevate your shooting experience. Read on to learn more about them.
The Benefits of Our Textured Grip
The G10 RailScales® in M-LOK come in your choice of Honeycomb, Matrix, or MiniDot textures. These rail covers work in conjunction with your forend grip to help you find a stable, consistent place to grip your AR-15. Constructed from CNC-machined G10, our patented textured rail covers provide a superior grip compared to other rail covers made from plastic or other lesser quality materials. Additionally, our RailScales feature a vibration-free attachment method helping to further improve your accuracy, form, the aesthetics of your gun, and more.
Superior Heat Protection
Our G10 RailScales® in M-LOK also provide excellent heat protection. This allows you to grip your AR-15 where you need to. Without a rail cover for heat protection, it can be easy to slightly change form to avoid an overly hot handguard. But when you invest in RailScales for your AR-15, you’ll have the protection necessary to keep the proper shooting form.
Several Customization Options
As we discussed above, one of the things that we like most about AR-15s is how easily they can be customized. Each person’s rifle typically looks a bit different from the next. That’s why we offer several customization options for RailScales as well. The G10 RailScales® in M-LOK are available in multiple different lengths as well as different patterns, so you can choose the one that appeals to you most.
Order Your Forend Grip in M-LOK Today
Adding a forend grip to your AR-15 comes with a whole host of benefits, a few of which we’ve touched on in this post. From increased control and helping with consistency in your form to increased accuracy, improved aesthetics, and beyond, a forend grip is an AR-15 accessory that many shooters choose to use to improve their experience. You’ll find a selection of forend grips at RailScales as well as our G10 Railscales® in M-LOK rail covers.
At RailScales, we created our G10 RailScales® because we saw a need in the industry for a better product. Our rail covers are made from CNC-machined G10 and offer unique patented textures for a superior grip. We make RailScales® for both KeyMod and M-LOK rails, so no matter your preference, we have you covered.
Our G10 RailScales® for M-LOK are the superior solution for adding heat protection and grip to your AR handguard. Shop our selection at RailScales today.
Frequently Asked Questions — AR Forend Grips & RailScales Products
Q: Which type of forend grip is best — vertical, angled, or a handstop?
A: There’s no single “best” option — it depends on how you shoot. Vertical grips give stronger leverage and are often preferred for rapid-fire control and PDW-style handling. Angled grips provide a more natural wrist angle for many shooters and promote quicker transitions. Handstops (or finger stops) are the lowest-profile option and excel when you want a minimal footprint that improves indexing without adding noticeable bulk. If you’re undecided, try a low-profile handstop like the Karve to establish an indexing point, then experiment with RSB/Anchor style grips to find what matches your mechanics.
Q: Will adding a forend grip throw off my point of aim or require re-zeroing?
A: Adding a small-mass forend grip alone will not change your rifle’s zero. However, heavier or more forward-mounted accessories can change balance and how you naturally point the rifle; that can affect initial aim until you re-learn your cheek weld and hold. Expect a short adjustment period when adding any new grip — practice at the range and allow your muscle memory to adapt.
Q: How do I choose the right texture/pattern? Honeycomb vs Matrix vs MiniDot?
A: Texture choice is personal and mission-specific. Honeycomb is a balanced pattern — good for general-purpose control without being overly aggressive. Matrix and Dragon patterns are more aggressive and give maximum purchase in adverse conditions but can be slightly harsher on bare skin. MiniDot provides a subdued, aesthetic texture while still offering improved purchase over smooth rails. Try a small section first to see how it feels in your shooting grip.
Q: Are G10 RailScales durable — how do they handle heat and wear?
A: G10 (FR4) is selected for strength, low moisture absorption, and heat resistance. Machined G10 RailScales perform excellently as a barrier between your hand and a hot handguard, and they are abrasion-resistant under normal use. Like any high-quality part, they perform best when installed per instructions and cared for (wipe down after wet-weather use).
Q: Can I still mount lights, lasers, or other accessories if I install RailScales panels?
A: Yes — RailScales panels are designed to replace bare rail real estate without blocking M-LOK or KeyMod slots. Place RailScales where you want grip and leave slots open where you plan to mount lights, lasers, or QD mounts. Many users combine RailScales with Halftop/Hardtop light mounts, QDX sling mounts, or MonoLift risers for optics — balancing comfort and functionality.
Q: Will RailScales add a lot of weight to my handguard?
A: No — machined G10 panels are thin and lightweight by design. They provide grip and heat protection with minimal added mass, unlike many polymer over-mold solutions. This makes them particularly suitable for lightweight M-LOK handguards where preserving balance is important.
Q: How do I maintain and clean my RailScales and aluminum forend grips?
A: Wipe down G10 panels and aluminum grips with a soft cloth after use. For stubborn dirt, use mild soap and water; avoid harsh solvents that can affect finish on anodized aluminum if present. Periodically check mounting hardware for proper torque and corrosion — RailScales supplies stainless hardware for many products to mitigate corrosion concerns.
Q: Are RailScales and their aluminum grips made in the USA?
A: RailScales emphasizes domestic manufacturing for many of their products, including machined G10 panels and aluminum accessories. Check the product page for each item for specific manufacturing and material notes.
Q: Which RailScales products pair best with a forend grip for indexing and heat protection?
A: A common, effective pairing is a Karve handstop (indexing) plus G10 RailScales panels (heat protection + texture). For users who want a fuller grip, the RSB or Anchor vertical grip combined with XOS-H panels creates a durable, low-profile setup with added heat diffusion. If you need to add a weapon light or sling without using extra M-LOK real estate, consider Halftop/Hardtop light mounts and the QDX sling mount to keep your primary grip zone clear.
Disclaimer:
This blog content was generated by a human and with the aid of artificial intelligence. It may contain errors or inaccuracies and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. This content is for SEO/entertainment purposes only and the views expressed in this content does not necessarily reflect the views of RailScales LLC. For more information, please refer to bullet point #13 on our FAQ.