When it comes to running your rifle, grip and stance are very important. One item that gets lost in the weeds many times is the position and use of the offhand or support hand. This hand and position are very important in that it helps not only drive the gun into the shoulder. It also helps manage recoil and muzzle rise. Over the years, there have been a number of variations of the offhand position. Today, we’re going to dig into a few. We will help you decide which offhand position will serve you best.
Offhand Rifle Grip – Finding the Best Option
As I mentioned, there are multiple versions and variations of this grip, but we will primarily look at the three most popular. The first is the C-clamp. This grip and position became popular about a decade ago. In many cases it is seen as the “cool way” to hold your rifle.
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“C” Clamp
This grip offers many benefits, including a great deal of control on the front end of the gun. It allows you to drive the gun firmly into your shoulder. This grip is accomplished by gripping the fore-end of the gun with your thumb driven over the top of the rail. Your other fingers settle on the bottom of the handguard. The downside of this grip is that it can be quite awkward. For short strings and quick shots, it can be very effective. However, over prolonged periods, this grip can become fatiguing.
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Magwell Grip
The next grip we will look at is a little more old school. This is the magwell grip. This grip is accomplished by bringing the support hand back and grabbing the front end of the magwell. You also grab the base of the handguard. This can be a very comfortable grip, as it takes the tension off your shoulders and lets you keep your arms close to your sides. The downside of this grip is that you are managing the rifle at the midpoint. This doesn’t allow us as much control, and it makes it a little more difficult to drive the gun into our shoulder.
7 O’clock Grip
The next and final grip we will look at is the forward 7 o’clock grip. This is my personal preference, and it has served me well for over three decades. With this grip, the arm is extended forward, grabbing the handguard as far out as your arm can comfortably reach. Grab the handguard at the seven o’clock position and wrap your thumb and fingers around the handguard. I find this to be a perfect balance. It allows me to still effectively drive the gun into my shoulder and maintain good muzzle control. I am also not in an awkward position with my shoulder and arm.
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Offhand Rifle Grip
Like you, I have seen a thousand variations of these grips as shooters tend to find what they believe to be more comfortable and effective. Ultimately, however, you need to choose a grip that balances comfort with effectiveness.
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