Shooting a Vertical Grip Offhand

[jjwise97]

I’m looking to put together another sorta-custom rifle. I’m looking at some stocks with a more vertical grip like the MCS-PH or Peak44 Bastion, just because I don’t currently have any. I do end up shooting prone occasionally if I’m out west, but most often it’s some sort of freehand. Elbows on my knees sitting, offhand while standing/sitting, kneeling, etc. How do you all feel that these style stocks preform for this type of shooting?

 

[Brontosaurus]

Zero issue. I find vg stocks more comfortable for everything.

 

[Dmoua]

Non issue.

 

[Macintosh]

There are stocks I dont like for this, but its not the “vertical” part that is problematic, its the stocks that are made so they +\- prevent a thumb wrap around the stocks without forcing excessive cant pressure from the muscle behind your thumb. The stockys vg is this way, as are a few others. But there are olenty of competition rifles designed specifically for offhand that have quite vertical grips. Biathlon rifles, sillouette rifles, etc. It’s not that you need a thumb wrap to shoot, its that the type of hunting that results in offhand shots its really nice to carry that way. Just food for thought.

 

[The Guide]

There are stocks I dont like for this, but its not the “vertical” part that is problematic, its the stocks that are made so they +\- prevent a thumb wrap around the stocks without forcing excessive cant pressure from the muscle behind your thumb. The stockys vg is this way, as are a few others. But there are olenty of competition rifles designed specifically for offhand that have quite vertical grips. Biathlon rifles, sillouette rifles, etc. It’s not that you need a thumb wrap to shoot, its that the type of hunting that results in offhand shots its really nice to carry that way. Just food for thought.

This is my experience with the Stockys VG also.

Jay

 

[elsb0048]

There are stocks I dont like for this, but its not the “vertical” part that is problematic, its the stocks that are made so they +\- prevent a thumb wrap around the stocks without forcing excessive cant pressure from the muscle behind your thumb. The stockys vg is this way, as are a few others. But there are olenty of competition rifles designed specifically for offhand that have quite vertical grips. Biathlon rifles, sillouette rifles, etc. It’s not that you need a thumb wrap to shoot, its that the type of hunting that results in offhand shots its really nice to carry that way. Just food for thought.

@The Guide

Either of you able to share a photo of what you mean here? I'm not quite understanding from the text.

 

[wind gypsy]

Imagine if vertical grips actually were a negative for "non-prone" shooting. Maybe our military would use rifles that look like this?

 

[The Guide]

@The Guide

Either of you able to share a photo of what you mean here? I'm not quite understanding from the text.

As you put your thumb over the top to engage the trigger, the stock hits the meaty thumb muscle in your hand. Instead of over the top with your thumb, you are more thumb forward. Can be done but isn't as comfortable as a typical pistol grip stock to shoot offhand with. Wouldn't stop me from killing an animal but I wouldn't buy it on purpose for a gun shot mostly offhand.

Jay

 

[NSI]

You want that full hand engagement surface to provide backpressure into the shoulder just as much when you’re shooting off hand as when you’re shooting prone supported. Angled grips just cause hand slip in this regime which requires more grip pressure to stay in position.

-J

 

[Macintosh]

@The Guide

Either of you able to share a photo of what you mean here? I'm not quite understanding from the text.

@The Guide covered it. The only thing I’ll add is that there are plenty of vertical grip stocks that have designed the nose (front end) of the comb to accommodate the thumb muscle when you have thumb wrapped. Again, for me at least its less about the actual shot than it is about a relaxed and comfortable carry for these exact situations when I end up with an offhand shot—still hunting and similar. A vertical grip encourages more precise shooting from any position, but if it isnt designed well it is terrible for carrying the gun (which is far more time and arguably just as important). I prefer a grip that I can carry comfortably but still shoot reasonably…which may or may not be “vertical”-ish.

Compare this—the nose of the comb is so chunky and wide and protrudes so far forward that it prevents wrapping your thumb comfortably while carrying the gun, regardless of whether you do that when actually shooting:



Versus this anshutz stock that is similarly “vertical”, but is designed to accommodate the meat behind your thumb. This was the only picture I could find online that showed a stock like this, but there are others. I think the rockstock even has a very aggressive scallop here, although Ive never held one.

 

[elsb0048]

@The Guide covered it. The only thing I’ll add is that there are plenty of vertical grip stocks that have designed the nose (front end) of the comb to accommodate the thumb muscle when you have thumb wrapped. Again, for me at least its less about the actual shot than it is about a relaxed and comfortable carry for these exact situations when I end up with an offhand shot—still hunting and similar. A vertical grip encourages more precise shooting from any position, but if it isnt designed well it is terrible for carrying the gun (which is far more time and arguably just as important). I prefer a grip that I can carry comfortably but still shoot reasonably…which may or may not be “vertical”-ish.

Compare this—the nose of the comb is so chunky and wide and protrudes so far forward that it prevents wrapping your thumb comfortably while carrying the gun, regardless of whether you do that when actually shooting:

View attachment 927844

Versus this anshutz stock that is similarly “vertical”, but is designed to accommodate the meat behind your thumb. This was the only picture I could find online that showed a stock like this, but there are others. I think the rockstock even has a very aggressive scallop here, although Ive never held one.

View attachment 927845

Thanks so much! Definitely something to noodle on as I do a lot of still hunting but really don't like the positioning of my gripping fingers on my sorter style stocks and I'm looking to try other options