When it comes to AR rail grip options, you have lots of choices. However, they can primarily be categorized into two warring clans: AR vertical grips and AR angled grips. But today, the AR rail cover engineers at RailScales® are going to finally answer the questions once and for all — Which of these two stabilization systems is better?

Read on to learn all about the advantages of each system. If you’re looking for high-quality AR accessories like hand stops, heat shields, or our nationally famous RailScales®, then visit our online store and shop today.

Stance One: Vertical Grips Are Better

Vertical grips are better for many reasons, not least of which is the fact that vertical AR rail grips are sometimes more than meets the eye. For example, an unassuming vertical grip might actually fold, allowing for easy storage, a barrier stop, or a different style of grip to rest your muscles over the course of a long shooting session. Maybe that grip is hollow, allowing for a small, but crucial stash spot. Maybe a small bipod comes out of it to allow for steady shooting over long distances. The short story here is that vertical grips are.

Furthermore, not only do vertical grips provide control in a way that doesn’t exhaust the muscles in your chest and shoulder as quickly as angle grips do. An off-hand grasp on a vertical AR rail grip also steadies your horizontal recoil while protecting your head from the heat emitting off of your lead-slinging rifle barrel.

Best of all, in the case that you actually come into close quarters contact with someone while using your AR, the vertical foregrip provides an excellent contact point for adding extra power to muzzle strikes and gives you the grasp advantage if a struggle for the weapon occurs.

This is where the RSB and RSB-M comes into play. Two options to pick from for texture feel and made from 6061. The RSB line of vertical grips are made in America and are the only option on the market for keymod or mlok mounting all in one offering thanks to the COG system.

Enough said.

Stance Two: Angled Grips Are Better

Let’s just start with a simple question — do you like your firearms to look and feel clunky and awkward, or do you prefer that they are sleek, stunning, and suggestive of a Cobra-like ability to strike? I thought so.

Angled grips are not only superior because of the flexibility in shooting stance and technique that they allow for, but they also provide a small profile and generally don’t require a new storage solution for your AR.

Angled AR rail grips are better for pulling the gun into your shoulder and provide maximum control for target transition horizontally, allowing you to move between targets with precision and speed.

Best of all though, there’s an angled grip for just about everything. If you want the traction of a hand stop with the control of a grip, you can find them both in one AR rail accessory — an angled grip. If you want built-in heat shielding for your off-hand, you can find that too. And, unlike some folding vertical grips that can turn into barrier stops, many angled AR rail grips offer barrier stops to allow you to transition smoothly from movement to cover seamlessly.

What else do you need? Silly question, as the answer is either the LDAG or Anchor. Both of these angled vertical grips are top shelf when it comes to AR15 accessories and both work in a way that adapts to the shooters preference, vertical or angled. You get amazing honeycomb texture that RailScales is known for and a high grade, American made product that will make you realize you have been paying for poor quality all these years. 

The Cold, Hard Truth

Okay, here is — the moment you have been waiting for.

It doesn't matter. Neither one of them is superior because every shooter is unique. Moreover, a vertical grip won’t immediately make you a better shooter, and neither will an angled grip. As a matter of fact, ask just about anyone how their first 100 rounds down range went after they installed a new AR foregrip. Chances are good, they weren’t as on-point as usual. Why?

But in time and with practice, either style of grip can be an excellent tool for improving your aim, stability, and comfort when using your firearm. Practice, patience, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to take critique and strive to improve are what makes a shooter great. It’s in you. What you add to your longarm is simply a matter of what feels right, what you prefer, and what helps you — you personally — become a more reliable and accurate shooter over time.

When choosing an AR rail grip for your rifle, look for something that feels good in your hand, won’t destroy your storage solution, and most importantly, something that has a solid reference point to allow you to hold your rifle the same way, in the same spot, every time you fire it. Buying quality products from reputable companies will also increase your chance of not being disappointed. Buying poor quality angled vertical grips or vertical grips from fly by night businesses or your buddy with a 3d printer will ultimately leave you feeling like that money could have been better spent and with RailScales products, you never regret it!

Find Your New Favorite AR Rail Grip Accessories Online At RailScales®

To start exploring hand stops, angled foregrips, rail-mounted fiberglass heat shielding, and other AR-accessories and AR rail grips, shop online at RailScales® today.