The Emissary Development Handbrake is a relatively new product, but if you`ve been spending time on Instagram lately, it`s been hard to miss! I chose this one to test it and it has really desirable features and comfortable ergonomics. The curved angle of the handbrake fit my hand very well and the stipple-like texture was grippy but not too rough. The handbrake design also has a built-in barrier at the front and rear. The only complaint I have about the handbrake is that you can`t rinse a rail cover because it occupies 1.75 M-lok slots. While it`s not a dealbreaker for the most part, I wanted to point it out. The handbrake can be purchased in black, FDE Cerakote and ODG Cerakote. Another tip before you start installing M-LOK accessories on AR guns is to be aware of the possible contact between the mounting hardware and the gas block. This happens for 2 reasons: Part of the joy of owning an AR-15 is the ability to customize your gun to improve its performance, make it more comfortable, or just make it cool. Installing a front handle has the added benefit of giving you more control when shooting and keeping your hand further away from the barrel to protect you from the heat generated by your shots. Bottom view of the IWC Barrier Handstop.
This angle provides a better view of the dimples. Side view of the IWC M-LOK Barrier Handstop. The dimples are not too rough, but still provide traction on the barriers. Side view of the Strike Industries Link manual stop kit. Side view of the Viridian HS1 laser stop. Note the green activation button. Fortunately, some of the manual stops listed below solve this problem by incorporating spacers to free up space or adding shorter screws for thin rails. When I first saw the IWC stops, I was afraid that the flat, honeycombed face would be uncomfortable.
Fortunately, I was wrong. Dimples are aggressive enough to get good traction on barriers, but not so rough that they tear your hand. The machining and anodizing are impeccable and the IWC Handstop looks great on a rifle. You can also use the IWC Barrier Handstop for many handles such as manual stop, finger stop or even split finger handle style (where your index finger wraps around the front). This versatility makes it a great buy if you`re not sure which style suits you best. Even if you`re not interested in the honeycomb barricade version, Impact Weapons Components sells a smooth version. It works in exactly the same way, it just has a smooth face on both sides. The IWC Handstop is built like a tank and has reinforcements at the front and rear of the M-LOK slot. The Strike Industries Link M-LOK hand stop kit has the same mounting features as the curved AFG, meaning it can be used on M-LOK or Keymod rails. It is also modular and can be installed in many configurations to meet your shooting needs.
The Handstop kit fits well in the hand, is not too small for large hands and has some texturing. However, it is a bit wide, as you can see from the photos. This may prevent the kit from working on some M-LOK rails, especially those that have seven sides of M-LOK sections. Finally, the hand stop kit has the same problem as the AFG Link when it comes to installing the kit on half-slots due to keymod reinforcements. The FAB Defense VTS-M angled front handle can fill multiple wheels on your AR-15 thanks to its unique design. It can be used as a manual stop, angled front handle or even as a thumb break. The VTS-M also has a built-in QD socket for attaching a sling, which may not work depending on the application. It is available in black, FDE and green OD.
I found the VTS-M comfortable for use as AFG or hand stop, but not as much as a broken thumb. It`s just not my way of photographing, but it might work for you! The style of FAB Defense may not be for everyone, but I find the VTS-M to be a useful AFG. Compared to the last section, it will be short. You can install any type of manual stop or vertical grip on your AR rifle. As long as you reach the minimum length of 16″ with yours, you can use vertical front handles or manual stops. 16″ is really just an arbitrary number chosen by the ATF and Congress, but it`s still the length chosen for a “rifle.” The problem of M-LOK screws touching the gas block is not so common in rifles with longer rails. However, you should always check for this issue when you install the Handstop. AR-15 pistols are currently very popular and for good reason.
Their compact size makes them desirable for shooting in confined spaces, they can be stored discreetly in backpacks and bags, and are fun to photograph. And with the right choice of ammunition, they are perfect for self-defense. Plus, they`re fun to photograph and accessories. like all ARs. AR-15 rifles allow you to avoid NFA paperwork or a no-strike raid that ends with a dead dog and a criminal complaint. Either way, you can`t go wrong buying an AR-15. You may have noticed that I added more information about the Viridian HS1 than others. This is because it is more complex and has features that others do not have.
I have to say that the Viridian HS1 won`t be for everyone. It is the most expensive and some people think that visible lasers are useless. However, if you are not one of the people mentioned above, the HS1 Laser Handstop is a very well made product. It also allows you to have a visible laser that is easily accessible in home defense situations. First of all, let me say that I am not a lawyer and you should not consider this article to be sound legal advice. From what I understand from the ATF guidelines, it is illegal to mount a vertical front grip on an AR gun unless the gun reaches a certain total length. I deliberately omitted this length from this article because this regulation has changed since 2019 and I do not want to mislead anyone unintentionally. The responsibility for installing accessories on an AR gun falls on you as the owner, so do your research before installing anything. Using a special M-Lok manual stop system on your AR gun should help you avoid legal problems. But again, laws can change and it`s your responsibility to keep track.
In some states, vertical grips cannot be added to an AR-15 pistol. Instead, you can consider an angled grip or manual stop for your firearm to ensure you adhere to local restrictions. Tags: BCM handstopmapGrip stopmapgul handstopMLOKMlok accessoriesMlok AFGMlok handstop The Magpul M-LOK AFG is an updated version of their old AFG/AFG2 model M-LOK handstop. It is shorter in length and thinner than the original versions. This can be a problem for someone with larger hands, but it can be perfect if your hands are smaller. The Magpul M-LOK AFG features the wrist at a comfortable angle, but I found the texture a bit smooth, so I dabbed mine. There`s no spacer system like the one found on the Magpul Handstop kit, but the Magpul AFG is definitely a solid option if you want a one-piece angled front handle. Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question. Everyone has different hands, body mechanics, and shooting styles, so it would be ridiculous for me to tell you what works best. To prove this point, I asked my wife, brother-in-law, and best friend to try the various items featured here.
Each of them preferred something different and there was no clear “winner”. So my goal with this article was to offer the information I want to see when I buy a hand stop system or an angled front handle. For what it`s worth here, my list of the top 3 is taken from the articles featured here and why I prefer them. The list is not necessarily a ranking, just my top 3 favorites. Manual stops are a great way to increase the firing capability of an AR-15 by supporting recoil control and allowing you to use them as barrier stops.