I have good news for fans of the midlength gas system and the color, Flat Dark Earth (FDE). The FDE Midlength MOE Hand Guards from Magpul are starting to find their way to dealer’s shelves.
I have been using a set of the black ones as a test bed for products from Impact Weapon Components and I can’t enough good things about these hand guards.
The Magpul MVG (Magpul Vertical Grip) is a vertical grip that is designed to attach directly to the Magpul MOE Hand Guards. It attaches to the hand guards via a threaded post and a washer. It is prevented from spinning by two thick plastic tabs that lock into the slots in the MOE hand guards. There is no rail section needed which keeps the parts count down (fewer that can break at the wrong time) and it keeps weight down. The MVG attaches very securely and feels rock solid once it is attached. The bottom section of the MOE Hand Guards contains a metal heat shield which helps reinforce the MVG.
I have also seen the MVG adapted to work with other hand guards like the Troy VTAC Extreme and JP/VTAC hand guards. There may be some fitting required but those who have completed this modification have been pleased with the results.
The texture on the MVG is very well executed. The sides of the MVG have a fine texture that is similar to the sides of the Magpul MIAD. The front and back of the grip has horizontal lines that promote grip and control.
The shape of the MVG works very well with a thumb-forward grip. Many vertical grips have a larger, flared section where the grip meets the rail which can actually get in the way of a thumb-forward grip. The MVG has a fairly uniform size from top to bottom which seems to work best with this type of grip.
The MVG is an excellent addition to the MOE Hand Guard. It, along with the Mount-N-Slots from Impact Weapon Components, have turned the MOE Hand Guards into a fully functional alternative to more expensive rail systems. Magpul has really done an excellent job at offering solid gear at a very attractive price with their MOE line.
The MVG used for this review was provided by Impact Weapon Components.
The Magpul AFG2 is a more compact version of the AFG (now called AFG1). It is both slimmer and shorter which will be a welcome revision for many.
The Magpul SCAR SSG Selector Set is a pair drop-in of selector levers for the FN SCAR 16S and SCAR 17S. They attach via the existing set screw so installation is a cinch. There is both a short and long lever in the set. The short lever can be used on the “weak” side so it does not interfere with the trigger finger.
These items are available now from Magpul dealers.
The Original Magpul was Magpul’s first product which launched them on their way to becoming the giant that they are today. These handy rubber finger loops were designed to be stretched onto the bottom of a magazine creating a loop that would allow the user to quickly extract magazines from magazine pouches. It is basically a more formal approach to the old duct tape and para-cord loop trick that became popular with A.L.I.C.E. gear.
However, I find that because my more modern magazine pouches are cut lower, so I rarely use the finger loop to extract the magazine. It just isn’t necessary. Even though I didn’t use the finger loops, I left the Magpuls on my aluminum magazines because I found that the rubber surface wrapped around the base of the mag really improved grip and the loop acted as a shock buffer when the mags hit the deck during reloads. The problem was that the loops made the magazines longer which could cause issues with some covered mag pouches.
Consider using your Magpuls like the one shown on the right.
My simple solution was to turn the Magpul 90 degrees. I have since come to find out that I am not the first person to do this, so I really can’t claim it as my own idea. The Magpul is stretched so that the loop is running front to back and pulled tight to the magazine base. This cures the pouch fit issues. It also retains the enhanced grip and buffering advantages. In fact, it acts more efficiently as a buffer since now the loop covers nearly the entire baseplate.
The best part is that it enhances the ability of the magazine to be used as a monopod. The 30 round AR-15 magazines lend themselves very well to being used as a monopod, but aluminum GI mags tend to pick up dirt and debris between the magazine body and baseplate. However, with the Magpul turned 90 degrees the baseplate is protected from debris.
I still keep about 40 or so aluminum GI magazines on hand even though I use PMAGs almost exclusively these days. I find that the PMAGs do not really need any grip enhancement or buffering from impact but I wouldn’t run my GI mags without the Magpuls. They really do enhance the function for me and they aren’t terribly expensive.
If you have Magpuls, try turning them 90 degrees. You might like them better that way.
Impact Weapon Components has a new line of Direct Attach Mounts designed for the Magpul MOE handguards. These are mounts that are designed to attach directly to the MOE handguards without the use of a rail which makes them somewhat low profile. This may be just the thing for those are who are looking to attach a sling to their MOE handguards.
I would like to see them add a rotation limiter to their QD sling mount and some kind of direct attach flashlight mount would be a nice product as well.
Remember to use the coupon code “triggerjerk” at checkout to receive 5% discount at IWC.
