Disappointed in new Magpul grip.

[PHXSHOOTER]

I bought a new Magpul MIAD grip system. I was after the adjustability of the three palm swells. I have big hands and liked the idea of options.

First I will tell you what I don’t know and then what I learned. Would someone please explain the dove tail gap thing? I know some of you have grips without the gap, this grip has the gap. Is it a brand thing? I hate the gap. It is like putting a Ford bumper on my Chevy truck, it is clearly a part that does not fit properly. My Magpul came with two back straps that have a dove tail (with gap) and one without dove tail that fits like the factory grip. Every gun shop guy I talked to says “AR grips are universal; therefore they will also work on your 15-22”. Not true. But there are more problems than just the gap. This grip is not designed with the receiver detent spring in mind.

The first thing I did was watch the Brett248Vista video on grips. Thank you Brett! The only thing I would add to that information is my gun has a part not mentioned. When he talks about being careful not to lose the springs mine also has a tiny ¼” pin between the receiver detent spring and the release pin. Don’t loose it.

So….the Magpul grip does not have a flat surface for the receiver pin spring to seat against. There is space there where the interchangeable back straps slide on rails. If I decide to keep this grip I will have to fill the space with epoxy or something. That would glue the back strap in place forever. That means I would never be able to try the other sized swells that don’t fit properly anyway.

I just wanted everyone to know and not make my mistake. All I got out of this deal is grip that is almost identical to the factory grip. It just “feels” a little better.

 

[Majorlk]

This is one of the reasons I passed on the MagPul and went with the Hogue pistol grip. It doesn't have that problem.

 

[Rustpot]

The piece you're calling the "dove tail" is the extended backstrap that kind of hooks over the top of your hand, correct?

Grips with this feature (Magpul MOE, MIAD, Ergo, etc) will have a gap here since the profile of the 15-22 receiver is slightly different than a standard AR-15 lower receiver. Magpul sells a part designed to fill this gap on an AR-10 (.308) rifle, and this will work on the 15-22. I personally use the MOE grip and don't mind the small gap.

Since the 15-22 receiver extension (buffer tube) is fixed, the grip is used to hold the spring and detent for the safety like an AR-15, but also the rear takedown pin. The springs for both of these press a small detent pin into their respective device to provide a stop point. For the takedown pin, you can hear a click when you pull the pin out or push it in fully. Similarly the safety lever clicks when in the safe or fire position. That sound is the small pin hitting the cup or stop.

People have made the MIAD grip work with the 15-22, but you're right, the rear spring isn't present on a standard AR-15 and the MIAD grip has a thin wall that doesn't support it well. I don't have personal experience to help you, but I know people have successfully used the MIAD without having to epoxy the backstrap onto the main part of the grip body.

 

[Incredible Me]

there is a spacer you need to buy for the 15-22, simple as that.

I know this wont help, but it has been posted here almost a year ago that the miad grip wont fit straight out of the box. Thats the reason I went for the MOE grip instead.

 

[Jammer]

This is one of the reasons I passed on the MagPul and went with the Hogue pistol grip. It doesn't have that problem.

+1 on the Hogue grip! It has the finger grooves, also fits snugly, but does not have the "arch" on the topside. Mine is hollow, but I'm looking for a plug to fit the hole and close off the grip for a storage compartment.....

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Hogue is much better for me.

 

[Majorlk]

+1 on the Hogue grip! It has the finger grooves, also fits snugly, but does not have the "arch" on the topside. Mine is hollow, but I'm looking for a plug to fit the hole and close off the grip for a storage compartment.....

Hogue makes them for their grips.

 

[63GMC]

I have the MIAD on mine. To fix the rear spring issue I just cut a piece of an old gift card ( the really thin plastic kind ) to the size and shape of the top of my original grip, poked a hole in it so the saftey detent spring can go through into the hole in the new grip and sandwiched it between the MIAD and the 15-22 lower and it works great. I also colored the edges of the cut gift card with a black Sharpie so it doesn't show. I still need to get a grip wedge to fill the gap above the back strap.

 

[pghrich]

Hello, i just received and installed a FAB-AG-43 on my 15/22 and it fit perfectly, looks good, feels good and has a dandy storage compartment, all this for $25.00 at gander no less, pghrich

 

[Jav]

I think my MOE grip has that gap, I can't remember anymore. Doesn't bother me visually(especially when I'm shooting ), doesn't affect accuracy, I wouldn't buy another part for that. That's just me, though.

 

[Aceman58]

Just my .02 cent, I too have the MOE, there is a space on the back as well. But first, the MOE was designed for a full size AR15 NOT the M&P 15/22. But it just so happens the M&P 15/222 is designed different so as to NOT attach a full size AR15 upper. I can't blame Magpul, I'm using there product on a rifle NOT DESIGNED for. They do make a plug so that helps. Magpul has some very great products and maybe in the near future they will make some just for the M&P 15/22, but for now you will be hard press to find any other 22lr that is as versatile as the M&P 15/22 that can be mocked to perform like it's big brother, that small gap is a non issue for me, because the feel is so much better than the stock grip by 100% as well as the forward guard, vertical front grip and great stock.. The safety latch spring only needs a flat surface to give it pressure, the grip works fine on my conversion from stock to MOE. The full size AR has two springs, the M&P 15/22 only has one for the safety.

Seeing some treads on the BAD device on the M&P 15/22 as well, it was NOT designed to fit a M&P, don't shoot the messenger or Magpul. Magpul products are tested in the field, military and LEO, they stand behind their products and there products improve the ARs functions..

 

[thacheese]

mine fit just fine using the small back piece with no gap (why i sold my moe and got a miad). as far as "modding" anything goes you can mess with it and angle it so there is tension, or use a piece of tape/toothpick to make it work. i used mine for months "out of the box" just fine. with no ill effects.

there is a spacer you need to buy for the 15-22, simple as that.

I know this wont help, but it has been posted here almost a year ago that the miad grip wont fit straight out of the box. Thats the reason I went for the MOE grip instead.

 

[Juvicator]

I have the mako fab ergo grip it's nice and went on easy, except for a few springs that fell out but I just left them out probably not important anyway.

 

[Basic]

Hogue....!

 

[Bx_X]

MIAD Pistol Grip Receiver Wedge AR-10 LR-308 Polymer Black

or just get the wedge, at prob. $10 shipped, all your problems are fixed, the gap and the detent spring.... this is what im running, and she looks perfect...


IMAG0554-1 by bx_x, on Flickr

 

[PHXSHOOTER]

Thank you Bx X. Problem solved, I will order that piece.

 

[photoracer]

I tried a few and went with the Ergo. Hand grips it better than the Hogue that was on my PC model stock. Hogue was definitely better than some of the plastic ones I tried, just not as good as the Ergo.

 

[RedBaronRX7]

I tried a few and went with the Ergo. Hand grips it better than the Hogue that was on my PC model stock. Hogue was definitely better than some of the plastic ones I tried, just not as good as the Ergo.

Agree on the Ergo.

 

[mdoffroad]

I found the same issue for the spring on my MIAD grip, I didnt glue mine, I used a peice of the plastic "tree" from a model that the parts get molded on. Works like a charm. It was a 20 second fix. Next!

 

[Lian]

if you spent any decent amount of time researching your firearm, you'd know the 15-22 + MIAD requires the AR10 grip wedge to fill the gap.

as for the spring.... take a knife, cut a little wedge.
problem sorted.