6 Best AR-15 Grips [2024]: Hands-On with Photos!

With the number of feature-packed and affordable AR-15 pistol grips available on the market today, there is no reason why you should be settling with the old-school basic A2-style pistol grip.

For less than the cost of a couple of boxes of ammo, you can quickly and easily change the feel of your rifle by swapping out your grip.

Over the years, I’ve found myself somewhat indecisive regarding the grips I’ve decided to run on my builds, so let’s just say I’ve tested my fair share.

I’ve been gravitating towards the BCM Grip Mod 3 and Magpul MOE+, but I would still recommend plenty of others.

Whether you’re a first-time shooter or a seasoned sharpshooter, it can’t hurt to stay up to date with the grip options that are out there.

You never know; you may find a feature you overlooked, like internal storage or interchangeable backstraps, suddenly at the top of your list.

To help you make an informed decision on your next grip purchase, we’ll go over our top picks and things to consider when shopping.

So throw away that old A-2 style grip, and let’s find you a new one!

Image	Product	Price
	Best General Use AR-15 Grip – Magpul MOE+ Grip / Magpul MOE Grip	Check Price
	Best Value AR-15 Grip – BCM Grip Mod 3	Check Price
	Best Lightweight AR-15 Grip – B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip	Check Price
	Best Multiple Angle AR-15 Grip – Strike Industries AR Overmolded Enhanced Pistol Grip	Check Price
	Best Precision AR-15 Grip – Ergo Tactical Deluxe Grip With Palm Shelf	Check Price
	Best Modular AR-15 Grip – Magpul MIAD Gen 1.1 Grip Kit – Type 1	Check Price

Best General Use AR-15 Grip – Magpul MOE+ Grip / Magpul MOE Grip

Magpul MOE+ Grip 

Magpul MOE Grip

Specifications

Pros & Cons

If you’re familiar with AR-15s or even just firearms in general, you’ve likely heard of Magpul.

Magpul has been one of the most popular accessories manufacturers for years. When it comes to grips, Magpul offers a complete line-up with flavors for any taste.

Constructed from high-quality polymer, the MOE/MOE+ grips feature internal storage, beavertails, and ribbed texturing on the front and rear of the grip. They are both lightweight, affordable, and offered in several colors.

Where the MOE+ stands apart, though with its rubber overmolding.

The rubber coating not only increases control but comfort as well. If you often shoot in adverse conditions, I highly suggest using the MOE+ over the standard MOE.

These grips have become standard on many personal and factory builds. They are affordable and easy to find, making them our best general-use grips.

Best Value AR-15 Grip – BCM Grip Mod 3

Specifications

Pros & Cons

With affordable grips like the Mod 3 available from Bravo Company USA, it baffles me that any AR-15s still come with a basic A2-style pistol grip.

Not only is this grip very affordable but it’s feature-packed too.

My favorite feature is the hinged trap door with a water-resistant rubber gasket to provide internal storage that is safe from the elements.

It also features a reduced grip angle for better trigger control, a high-rise beavertail, and an extended forward tang that helps to close the gap between the trigger guard and grip. Important Note: The forward tang could potentially have issues fitting with specific flared trigger guards.

By removing the interchangeable backstraps that the Mod 2 grip has, Bravo Company was able to reduce the price, making this my favorite offering from its lineup.

Best Lightweight AR-15 Grip – B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip

Specifications

Pros & Cons

We’ve been seeing the B5 Systems Type 23 grip popping up more and more lately, and I can see why.

I wound up having one of these come from the factory on my Smith & Wesson M&P15 Volunteer XV Pro, so you can tell that manufacturers are noticing B5 Systems as well.

The Type 23 grip provides a no-frills, lightweight grip that pairs nicely with many builds. It has a reduced 13-degree grip and a beavertail that work better to align your trigger finger to the trigger face.

My only “real” complaint is that it does not come with a grip plug.

If you want to take advantage of having internal storage in your grip, you must buy a separate grip plug. It’s not a deal-breaker, but when many other grips come with them, you’d think B5 Systems would want to keep up with its competitors in that regard.

Best Multiple Angle AR-15 Grip – Strike Industries AR Overmolded Enhanced Pistol Grip

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Strike Industries has been putting out innovative firearms parts and accessories for over a decade, so, of course, its catalog includes grips.

The AR Overmolded Enhanced pistol grip comes in three different angle configurations, letting you pick between 15, 20, or 25 degrees. Regardless of the angle, they all share the same features.

A rubberized overmold with additional grip texturing provides superior control.

The body is streamlined and tapered but remains wider than others, which makes for a great feel in hand if you have larger hands.

Lastly, you’ll find secure internal storage thanks to a rubber end cap. Especially if you’re trying to decide between angles, this is a great option to grab a couple to test for yourself.

Best Precision AR-15 Grip – Ergo Tactical Deluxe Grip With Palm Shelf

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Don’t let the several cons fool you into thinking the Ergo Tactical Deluxe Grip with a palm shelf is not a fantastic grip.

The weight and price are to be expected when you’re looking at a beefy precision grip.

The aggressive rubberized texture paired with the ambidextrous palm swell provides you with an unparalleled level of control. You could shoot in a torrential downpour, and your hand will stay exactly where you placed it on the grip.

When you then add on the adjustable palm shelf, it’s like using a cheat code for stability.

Even at this price point, the grip doesn’t come with a grip plug, so be prepared to order one if you want storage.

If you want an extra edge to keep your AR-15 stable and controlled, this is a grip you need to check out.

Best Modular AR-15 Grip – Magpul MIAD Gen 1.1 Grip Kit – Type 1

Specifications

Pros & Cons

It shouldn’t be surprising that another Magpul grip made our list. If you’re looking for a modular grip to get a more custom fit to your hand and shooting style, the MIAD (Mission Adaptable) Gen 1.1 Grip Kit is the one.

At roughly double the price of the MOE grip we mentioned earlier, you may be wondering if it’s worth it. I’m here to tell you that it is!

The grip kit comes with three backstraps (S,M,L), two frontstraps (A1 and A2 style), a lubrication bottle core, an empty lubrication bottle, and the necessary mounting hardware.

Add on the fact that you can buy additional storage cores for batteries or bolt/firing pins; you won’t find this level of customizability in a grip almost anywhere else.

The downside many have pointed out and I agree with is the lack of aggressive texturing or rubber overmolding.

The actual grip texture is a bit slicker than many others on the list, so it may not be the best choice if you’ll be shooting in lots of inclement weather conditions.

The bang for your buck is clearly evident with everything this kit comes with.

We like to test things with our hands here at Gun Made and not just rely on simple Google searches or feedback from strangers on social media.

Collectively, we’ve tested or owned each one of these grips. While some may have stayed in our collections longer than others, at some point, they were worthy enough to serve a need and did so well.

But, just in case you don’t want to take our word alone, we, of course, made sure to scour the internet in case we missed something and spoke with other industry shooters.

Considering factors such as internal storage, modularity, and ergonomics, we included options at various price levels to give all of you options regardless of your budget.

Given the ease of installation and lower price point of most grips, it’s not the end of the world if you choose the wrong one at first. However, we’d like to help you avoid any hassle to begin with.

Finding the correct AR-15 grip for your rifle will improve not only your comfort while shooting but your accuracy potentially as well. There are several questions you’ll want to be able to answer and factors to consider before purchasing your next grip.

Factors to Consider When Selecting an AR-15 Grip

Similar to many decisions regarding your firearm(s), you need to think about the purpose of your rifle and how it will be used.

Will you be training in close-quarters combat? If so, you may want to look at a more vertical grip to keep the rifle tucked in closely to your body. Will you be shooting at extremely long distances and for precision? If so, you may want a palm shelf for added stability.

I think you get where I’m going with this.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a dedicated purpose for your AR-15; the majority we recommended will work fine on all-purpose rifles.

Grip Materials

Most grips on the market are constructed with a polymer or polymer-type material. Polymer is lightweight, durable, and can be offered in various colors if you want to build a color-matching custom rifle.

Building off polymer grips, many also have an overmolded rubber coating for added comfort and enhanced control. These are by far my favorite, and I highly suggest trying at least one Magpul MOE+.

Beavertails

Beavertails may look like they are just for aesthetics, but they serve an important purpose that can improve your shooting.

When a grip has a beavertail present, it keeps the shooter’s hand placed lower on the grip, which can better align your trigger finger with the trigger face to achieve a straighter pull.

Of course, this can vary depending on your hand size. I suggest trying a model that is offered with and without a beavertail to see which you prefer.

Storage Options

Some grips come with internal storage, where you’ll find a plug or latch at the bottom of the grip.

Whether you want to store a small bottle of oil, some spare batteries, or even a few extra rounds, having storage is always an advantage, in my opinion.

Even if you don’t plan to store anything, having the hole in the bottom of your grip covered/sealed can prevent dirt and debris from accumulating inside of it.

My suggestion: Go with a model that has internal storage.

So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, our top choices for almost any shooter. While no single grip will be the “best” for everyone, we’re confident you can find what you’re looking for with one of the options in this list.

If you’re looking to shave ounces on your lightweight AR-pistol build, consider the B5 Systems Type 23. If you’re looking to save a few bucks without sacrificing features, check out the BCM Grip Mod 3.

And, of course, this is not an all-encompassing list. Many other manufacturers, like Hogue or Tyrant CNC, to name a couple, have great offerings to check out if none on this list catch your attention.

At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference, so I suggest borrowing some grips, shooting some rentals at the range, or buying a few grips to test out. You’d be surprised at how big of a difference such a small part could make in your shooting experience.

Which grips would you add or remove from this list? Let us know in the comments!

As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.