The Vertical Grip Trend

[3 Meter Para Bellum]

It seems that there is a move towards more and more vertical grips on newer rifles lately. I imagine this helps keep the hand more relaxed while shooting, but I seem to recall someones comment that they didn't like the carrying dynamics as much with that kind of grip angle. Here are a few examples of rifles that I have my eye on that all incidentally have this newer grip style. What are your opinions on this style of grip?

 

[xphunter]

I’m comfortable with a vertical to just a little bit of slant/angle if I have my preference

 

[Wolfshead]

My Tikka has the ability to change grips.
I have the grip that came with it, (normal angle) and I purchased a vertical grip to replace the original.
The vertical is good when shooting from a rest at the range, but while carrying in the field it is not so good.
So, after the first day in the field last season I switched back to the original grip and never looked back.
I may interchange them for field use and range use, but I do like the original more as this is a hunting rifle for me and not a bench rest range rifle.

 

[SJB358]

They’re great in my opinion for prone shooting and similar. Your hand rests naturally but for all around I like a bit more angle myself. It’s a preference which works for who, but in the woods and on the hill I prefer a standard’ish profile.

 

[JD338]

I like the conventional style.

JD338

 

[jimbires]

I too prefer a vertical grip for prone shooting . I'd rather the conventional style for all other shooting .

 

[salmonchaser]

As noted the vertical grip came into vogue with the precision rifle series.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Had a target rifle with vertical grip but never really cared for it. Like conventional style better for target and hunting especially. Guess I'm just more used to it or too stubborn to change

 

[RememberBaker]

The grip on a T/C Encore always seemed kind of like that to me?

 

[1100 Remington Man]

In a Hunting Rifle I see Zero need for me as I like the classic look and I have Zero interest in a box magazine on a bolt action hunting rifle. I guess I have moved into the Vintage category today as I still like wood and blued steel.

 

[Blkram]

As stated above, the advantage of the vertical grip is when shooting prone or from the bench, in target shooting, where one has time to get settled in and shooting from some type of rest, tripod, or bull bags where you really aren't holding onto the rifle with both hands, and have more time to shoot.
I prefer the traditional style grip as I am a hunter first, and may need to put the rifle into action quickly from a carrying position, which the traditional grip's advantage aids in speed and fluid movement when mounting and aiming, whether standing off-hand, leaning against a tree or supporting the rifle over a branch, shooting sticks, or other quickly improvised rest, or for shooting at running/moving game where one must track and follow through, while still using both hands to steady and control the rifle. (And I am not seeing this grip on shotguns...just a thought.)
To each their own. It really depends on what one needs for the shooting that they are doing, plan to do, and/or are more comfortable with/used to.

 

[Chuck R]

I prefer the vertical for prone and sitting (off tripod or bipod), for a stalking/still hunting rifle I like the standard grip.

A couple years ago I put together what I considered to be a "cross-over" rifle for longer shots that has a Manners EH-3 with their more open style grip that's a pretty good compromise for both. It's a customized 700 in 300WM with a 24' bartlein 2B profile that weighs a little over 8.5lbs "all-up".

 

[3 Meter Para Bellum]

Yeah, my thought looking at the vertical grips is that they wouldn't be as easy to adapt to different positions. Not as versatile. When it comes to ergonomics with any tool I tend towards things that are extremely neutral in nature. I like simple handles on knives most of the time for example. Now I have never held one of these vertical grip rifles before, but I guess I never thought it would be weird to hunt with an AR-15/10 platform, so maybe it wouldn't feel totally strange. I guess I'll have to pick one up to see how it feels. If I don't like the feel, it will kind of bug me that everything I was looking pretty hard at currently has that style of stock! I guess there is always aftermarket, but for the cost of replacing the stock on a cheaper rifle, I maybe might as well get more expensive rifle with that has a more favorable stock.