TFB Review: The Contour Tactics Forward Operating Grip (FOG)

Coming to Grips

Contour Tactics is a company built upon the lineage of both Special Forces and the private sector. The training and education to become a Special Operator are both time-consuming and require dedication and intelligence. Due to this, it’s no wonder many of the new innovations that have come out of the weapons and tactical industries are being led by former or even current Special Operators.

Josh Burgess, a former SOF professional, took his time and experience and created a one-stop solution for a problem that many of us in that community had used several problems to negotiate. Josh worked for several years assessing the design through prototyping and applying direct use, and all the while, he was navigating the industry for production and distribution.

The end state was clear: create a forward grip that provided a multi-pronged approach. The first was the grip itself, the 90-degree grip with a contoured top into a forward horizontal plane was the basic start, but the placement of the rest of the palm and thumb was critical. With so many varieties of forward grips and all presenting their strengths and weaknesses, Josh was left with an obvious decision: create the ergonomics needed to not only control recoil but also allow for instinctual aim while supporting accessories for 24-hour operational needs.

The first issue is addressing rail space, the surface area of Picatinny Rail or MLOK hardware needed to securely mount accessories to the handguard of the rifle. Rail space can come at a premium as weapon platforms are becoming smaller, as rifles are being used in shorter configurations due to improved performance in barrels and projectiles. The FOG is a one-piece system that mounts onto a small footprint of Picatinny Rail. While it does wrap up and around the left side of the firearm’s handguard, it will fit most handguards on the market.

The second target of the FOG is hand positioning; there are different schools of thought on this issue, but what is fairly accepted as the best placement for the vast majority of urban/CQB shooting is a forward extended grip toward the muzzle, providing both excellent target tracking and recoil control. Where opinions vary is the position of the hand and thumb. The fact on this issue is that an angled or vertical grip will provide the best rear-pressure traction for the shooter. There are differences of opinion on what grip style best suits the shooter, as this part is strictly a matter of flavour. That said, as the shooter uses a pull or push to drive the muzzle from target to target while also mitigating felt recoil, a forward grip with a hand-stop is a common setup for most professional shooters, particularly when seen on short-barreled rifles. The FOG has a built-in hand-stop to provide the shooter with both the security of not overextending their hand, but also with the ability to use a push-pull method, and it keeps the shooter’s hand locked in place.

Next is the positioning of the shooter's thumb. Thumb placement is again another matter of taste; some shooters use a “C” clamp, extending their thumb over the handguard, while others, like myself, prefer to extend the thumb down the handguard parallel with the barrel, with the tip of the thumb pointing at the tip of the barrel. I have found this technique works well for more instinctual target acquisition and is modified from the old Marine Corps technique of extending the shooter’s support index finger in the same way before we hand optics on our rifles. The end concept is to control vertical recoil, and both techniques do this well. The positioning of the support hand is consistently repeatable in both ergonomics and regardless of the platform.

Finally, the FOG also looks to set the shooter up for success with a smooth pad and routing options for pressure pads for activating night vision accessories like lasers and lights into one convenient and ergonomically placed location. The FOG offers the professional or competitive shooter with a well-designed ergonomic grip that solves several problems without having to combine multiple products to create the same effect.

The end effect is a system that is one hundred per cent repeatable, ergonomic, cross-platform compliant, and the system reduces shooter fatigue while enhancing control and stability. This equates to a system that provides a solid 90% solution for virtually all shooting needs with integrated control and access to accessories.

Actions On

The compact footprint, coupled with a one-size approach for ergonomic hand placement, gives the FOG a serious leg up on competitive products. Running the FOG feels instinctual and natural, with the thumb placement set into a convenient box of comfort rather than finding or creating a happy place for the shooter’s thumb. The composite material provides excellent thermal protection, something important to us shooters in hot sunny climates, and the texture on the grip is positive, with just enough texture to ensure a positive lock between skin and grip.

The grip also provides a full-length placement of the grip. Given it’s a one-piece unit, this means there is virtually no need to assess accessory placement and ensure you have the correct number of spaces left for the combination of parts one needs on multiple sides of the handguard.

That said, with all the positives, there are bound to be a few negatives. I would argue the negatives are weak in comparison. The most obvious is that the system favours right-handed, or as I call them, correct-handed shooters. A left-handed shooter can still utilize the FOG but the thumb-rest and pressure pad flat are on only one side and as of now I do not know of any option for wrong handed, I mean, left-handed shooters. The only other glaring issue, and again it’s minor, is that the system may not work with every AR15 handguard. While neither of these is a deal-buster for me, they need to be considered.

Conclusion

The Forward Operating Grip is a unique accessory for your rifle needs and is not only intended for the AR15. The system offers a complete one-stop solution to many of your needs at the far end of a rifle. Contour Tactics has created something truly unique and of respectable consequence. The FOG is one of those accessories that has been long overdue, and we are glad the time has come.