Have you ever wondered what you should put in your AR-15 pistol grip? Not jellybeans! If you don’t have a pistol grip with a lid, creating a storage compartment, you should get one. The buttstock used to be a common storage compartment on rifles, but most AR-15s now use adjustable stocks that do not have any place for storage.
This leaves the pistol grip as the only way to carry some important items on your gun. Maybe you will never need anything stashed away in there but what is the old saying? It is better to have needed and had than to have never had at all? Ok, so that’s not exactly right, but you get the point.
But the funny thing about the future is that it’s unknown. All we can do is prepare, and utilizing the grip on our AR-15 is one more way to do that. It would be a shame to have storage space and not use it, right? Here are some suggestions for that small but vital storage compartment on your AR-15 pistol grip.
Determine the need for your gun
Before deciding what to store in the pistol grip, first decide what you will be doing with that rifle. Some people have one multi-purpose AR-15 and some have multiple. If you have “fun guns” for the range and a designated gun for self-defense, this could change what you store in each one.
A rifle used on the range has more flexibility when it comes to the items you store in the grip because you will have a range bag as well. When I head to the range, I take a bag with just about everything I would need out there. Ammo, mags, cleaning supplies, armorers’ tools, etc. if something goes wrong, I want to be ready.
He had magazines, backup guns, and supplies to last in the wilderness for weeks. But he didn’t have one thing on him to care for his rifle. No oil or cleaning supplies, no extra batteries, no tools to adjust any sights or optics. Most optics will run a long time on a battery, but why take the chance? Especially if your life hangs in the balance.
Options for pistol grip storage
Some pistol grips will have a little more room than others so how you pack it will depend on the brand and size of the grip. Packing items into a pistol grip is the same as your survival or bug-out bag. Make a list, place them in order of importance, and then fit what you can. The first time I packed a survival bag, it was too heavy to carry.
You may find you can’t fit all the items you want in a pistol grip, and that’s ok. Just prioritize and do the best you can. Here are some considerations. Several companies make pistol grips with enclosed compartments. Magpul, BCM, Mission First Tactical, and others all make some great grips that have internal storage.
Batteries
If you have a red dot or flashlight on your rifle, consider storing extra batteries. Many flashlights have batteries too large for a pistol grip, so that is not always an option. There are other options for carrying batteries outside of a pistol grip, including a backpack, rifle stock (for full-size stocks), vest, pockets, etc.
Just about any battery for a red dot, however, can be stored in a pistol grip. If you have backup sights, this may not be as important, but you don’t want to lose your ability to aim. I mentioned above that most optics have long run times, and most are in the thousands of hours.
Oil and extra gun parts
Some rifles run better than others without oil, but most AR-15 rifles need to be oiled. I have always added some oil to my rifle before going to the range. If I’m shooting a lot, I often take out the BCG, wipe it down, and add additional oil at the range. Does this mean my rifle won’t stay shooting without it? No, but I like to keep it in prime working condition. Having some oil and a rag or wipes can be beneficial for prolonged periods.
Another thing that could be helpful is some extra gun parts. A Firing pin, extractor, ejector, and short steel punch can all be stored in the pistol grip. It’s not fun to change those parts in the field, but it’s good to know how and have the ability during emergencies.
Range supplies
If your gun is just a range gun, the pistol grip is still a great place to keep some gear. Earplugs and hand wipes are a must at the range. I know it’s easy to forget about lead poisoning when you’re shooting guns, but your hands need to be washed after shooting. Having some hand wipes is a great way to keep lead residue off your steering wheel, gear, and other places.
They don’t replace soap and water, but they are better than nothing until you make it to a place to wash up. Even if you have fancy earmuffs, backup earplugs are nice to have on hand. Keep a pair with your gun so you are good no matter what. One of my friends keeps a length of dot tape stuffed in his pistol grip. The sticky dots are used to cover up bullet holes in paper targets.
First aid
Some other important items that can be stored in your pistol grip are first aid supplies. If you have a range bag, it should have first aid gear in it. But a mixture of first aid gear and batteries is a perfect combination for multi-purpose and self-defense weapons. Many compact tourniquets will fit in a pistol grip and still leave room for batteries, band-aids, and other items. I keep a tourniquet on each vest, in each bag, and in my car. But having some medical supplies on your rifle is great too.
What’s in your grip?
When it comes to guns, tactics, survival, or anything else, I don’t like “one way or the highway” type of thinking. Sure, there are a few areas of right and wrong. But when you are talking about self-defense, hunting, prepping, or shooting for fun, it needs to work for you. Just like the pistol grip on your AR-15, put whatever you want in there.
Use it for snack storage if that’s what you want. Just remember to keep an open mind and give it some thought. We talk about these things and have discussions because it keeps us thinking. Some pistol grips are not enclosed, and you can’t store anything in them. That’s fine, the world will continue to turn. But if you want to increase your level of preparedness and make Rambo jealous, store some cool items in your AR-15 pistol grip.
