Combination Forward Grip and Stabilizer

Abstract

A novel forward grip combines the advantages of a forward grip with the stabilization capabilities of a bi-pod into a single shooting accessory for the modern tactical law enforcement or military operator. When the grip is used to stabilize the fore end of the weapon, it prevents the weapon from slipping and sliding due to recoil. The grip also provides relief to the shooter's grip while under stress by compressing and conforming to the shooter's hand. Reduction of the movement of the shooter's sight picture is also provided by reducing the negative effects from weapon recoil. The grip includes a primary finger grip located on the outer perimeter of the grip to allow shooters with large hands to grip the rifle. A secondary finger grip pocket is also provided in the interior section to conform better for shooters with smaller hands. The grip is made from flexible rubber to allow it to conform to against a wide variety of shapes to provide a stable shooting platform without the need to change out to a bi-pod. The secondary finger grip may also be used to hang the rifle on a post when not in use. The grip may be mounted to the standard Picatinny rail and includes two hard locking points. The grip not only stabilizes the weapon's fore end, eliminating the need for a bi-pod, but also conforms to difficult shooting platforms that prior art hard plastic forward grips cannot accommodate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A forward grip for use in firearms such as rifles and comprising:
 a body having an arcuate shape; said body being comprised of a flexible rubber or thermoplastic urethane material to provide compressibility and conformance of said forward grip when it is braced against a fixed object in order to provide a stabilized firing position;   four finger grooves located on the bottom perimeter of said body;   an oval shaped aperture inside said body with the long axis of said oval pointing upward at an angle between 30 and 45 degrees from the horizontal;   a triangular aperture inside said body and spaced approximately ½ inch away from said oval aperture;   a set of two screw attachment holes located at the distal ends of said body and adjacent to the upper edge of said body; said screw attachment holes providing a means for secure attachment to a mounting rail of a rifle and sized for use with a screw of between ⅛ and ¼ inch diameter;   a set of four blind holes located concentric to said screw attachment holes; said blind holes providing a means for secure attachment to a mounting rail of a rifle and sized for use with a pan head screw and nut;   a hexagonal grooved slot shaped for mating with Picatinny rails at the top surface of said forward rip and providing a means of adjusting the location of said forward grip on the mounting rail of a rifle: said slot running along the entire upper face of said body.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled)