Welcome back to the 18th installment of my blog, in which I don’t claim to be an expert, in fact the opposite. I’m a new user to the AR platform and want to share my findings and experiences as I go through and build rifles as well as being the Operations Manager at Tyrant Designs.

 

It doesn’t matter how expensive and highly regarded your AR-15 is, when it comes down to it if you don’t know how to shoot it you won’t be effective. I wanted to focus on a shooting style that’s on the newer side and can be thought of as controversial by some camps. it’s called the C Clamp grip **The crowd gasps***

 

The C Clamp grip originally came from the competitive shooting world. I think its one of the most frequently used grip styles I see on youtube. It doesn’t matter if you have an AR-15 vertical grip, hand stop, or angled foregrip, you can still use this method on your rifle. I’m sure you’ve seen it many times and/or use it yourself. It has potential benefits and draw backs just like any other style of shooting. I will jump in and try and look at it from an objective view point.

 

how to hold an AR-15

 

The good. 

 

Reduced Recoil - It’s been said that the shooter will experience a reduction in recoil. Because of the ergonomics of having a fully extended arm over the barrel of the rifle with the thumb over the top, it helps reduce the amount of muzzle rise you encounter when you take a shot. I’ve noticed this myself when using this technique.

 

Faster Target Acquisition – The first body part that picks up a new target is your eyes. When gripping the rifle so close to your body, it feels very natural to follow your eyes to the next intended target. It’s one of those things that hard to explain but once you try it, you understand why it feels so natural to some shooters. You are able to not only acquire the target, but PAS (Point, Aim, Shoot. I just made that acronym up! I’m going to be rich!) quicker than other styles. 

 

Protection – I’m not a body armory expert by any means, don’t forget I’m a “Newb” who’s steadily approaching his purple belt status (isn’t that like the 6th belt you get in karate?) I digress, I know body armory is designed to protect your vital organs. Meaning, if you use this grip style your abdomen will be exposed to a possible assailant but it will also expose the toughest parts of your armor that are meant to take bullets as opposed to the side of your body. 

 

The Bad.

 

Peripheral obstruction - When your arm is fully extended and running parallel to your rifle, it is possible that you may have an obstructed view when trying to acquire targets located on that side. 

 

Shoulder fatigue – "You look like a strong kid. You must work out. Ever try isometrics? This antipersonnel mine weighs eight pounds. Not much, but try holding it with an outstretched arm. Hell of a workout." The Punisher (2004 film). Holding your arm out in front of you for extended periods of time isn’t easy.

 

Optic Malfunction – Having your thumb sitting on top of your rail isn’t a big deal when you have an optic that has a riser. But, if that said optic malfunctions you may need to rely on iron sights. It’s very possible that this positioning of the thumb on the rifle will obstruct your line of sight.

 

Final Thoughts.

 

Personally, I use a version of the C Clamp grip when I shoot at the range. For me, I have found this to be not only comfortable but effective in my groupings. It doesn’t matter what kind of style you use to shoot your black rifle as long as it works for YOU! I think we need to spend less time judging others that do things differently than us and keep an open mind that not one thing works for everyone.

 

Does anyone here use this style for shooting? What are your thoughts? Oh, have you seen our new AR-15 handstop coming out in a few weeks? Yeah...its pretty badass!