Introduced in circa 2019 by True North Concepts as a supportive rifle accessory, “The GripStop” is intended to support end-users with a forward handgrip or stop to control rifle impulse and aid in manipulation.
Made from a proprietary blend of polymer selected for its rigidity and non-marring surface. The GripStop is a curved 3.25” (L) x 1.75” (H) MLOK handguard accessory that provides a fixed point on which end-users can use to pull the rifle into the chest, and further support the firearm through various manipulations.
The forward-facing side of the The GripStop has a textured surface to aid in tactile control, while the reverse/inward side has a 90-degree flushed surface for placing over barricades or obstructions.
The GripStop uses MLOK mounting hardware to attach to the handguard of similar design.
The GripStop is available in Black (featured) or Earth Brown.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Excellent (5/5): With its MSRP price of $24.99, “The GripStop” (GS) is a simplified product that improves weapon control over stock handguards by providing a solid angled/curved anchoring point to either pull the rifle into the torso, or to control the rifle during transitions. Made of a blended polymer similar to the Racker, the GS was able to absord similar abrasion and impact as similar products. Similar market alternatives include the Handbrake ($40) from Emissary Development, the Karve-P ($28) from RailScales, or the M-LOK AFG ($26.95) from Magpul. This illustrates that the GS is at an excellent price point given the materials and design amid the current market.
- Comfort – Average (3/5): From a Comfort aspect, the GS did provide a curved point of control that made support of the rifle and maneuvering of it easier than without the grip. The contoured face was comfortable against the fingers and did not have any notable harsh edges. However, those with larger hands may find the size of the GS slightly limiting for finger space as the curvature limited the overall surface area for the hand. This was an appropriate (or average) tradeoff with this design whereby it maintained a comfortable minimalist profile, while still offering some measure of improved control.
- Durability – Good (4/5): The durability of the GS was similar to that of the Racker whereby a blended polymer was cast to form the single-piece grip. This left no excess parts for breakage, coming lose, or otherwise needing additional attachment. Prior to mounting, the GS was dropped ten times from a height of approximately six feet, with only minimal surface marring noted—again an indicator to the polymer material to absorb impact and abrasion. After attaching, the GS was used in a variety of positions (barricade and non-barricade) and drills with no evidence of loosening or breakage.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally the GS gave an angled grip off the axis of the bore, so there is no worry with the ATF regulations on true vertical hand grips for rifles under 16”. Additionally, the curved axis of the GS allowed for a good level of pressure to be generated by the support hand to keep the rifle stabilized and/or controlled during stressor drills or support. The angled inward side made for getting a solid position on barricade work as it held a solid 90-degree angle on the grip that was perfect for boards or corners. It would be a suggestion to True North to explore a larger version of this for those with larger hands as the smaller overall surface area made the grip position feel cramped at times with the outer finger sometimes left “floating”.
- Weight – Good (4/5): Weighing in at a demure 0.7 ounces (with mounting hardware), the GS had a very minimal weight and almost no perceivable heft at the end of the rifle. It neither unbalanced the overall rifle, nor proved to be excessively bulky or fatiguing. In contrast, the Handbrake (0.9 ounces) from Emissary Development, the Karve-P (0.4 ounces) from RailScales, or the M-LOK AFG (1.2 ounces) from Magpul. This validated that the GripStop had a good overall weight amid the current market and its competitors.
Overall Rating – Good (20/25)
Product Link: https://truenorth-usa.com/product/polymer-gripstop/
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, LLC, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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