Timber Creek Outdoors Enforcer AR Pistol Grip: Going Modern

Sometimes, a little change to an AR-15 rifle makes a big difference. The pistol grip is one of the simplest and quickest ways to make a subtle but noticeable change. It’s also something we may not think about often when it comes to how we shoot. A pistol grip can change the entire feel of your rifle and, in some cases, improve your shooting. So, if you’re going to add a new part, why not try something different?

I like to build AR-15 rifles and swap accessories on them from time to time. After upgrading some minuscule part or putting the finishing touches on a complete build, I think to myself, “It’s perfect now!” But it never fails; somewhere down the road, I start changing something up on it again. I just can’t help myself.

Part of this is because new parts come out, and I want to keep my AR-15 rifles modern and updated. But I also just like change. Adding some new sights, an optic, a muzzle device, or, in this case, a pistol grip can make an old rifle appear modern again.

The Timber Creek Enforcer AR Pistol grip is comfortable and durable. I avoided the skeletonized look on my gun parts for some time. In my mind, traditional gun parts were the only way to build a functional and acceptable rifle. But I also thought the same way about some of those “odd” color firearm finishes. Now, I love mixing up different finishes on my guns, and the Timber Creek pistol grip helps mix it up a bit.

Who is Timber Creek?

Timber Creek Outdoors was founded in 2005 by the Tiller family. They had been manufacturing outdoor products for 50+ years when they decided to move into the gun industry. One thing I like about the company is that all their products are made here in the United States. The business is family-run, and they pride themselves in their strong family values. That says something.

Based in Springfield, Oregon, most of their parts are made from aircraft billet aluminum materials. Our ability to make good quality parts from polymers is great and keeps prices down, but we have so much plastic on our guns these days that it’s nice to see some good-quality metal parts.

The Enforcer AR-15 Pistol Grip

Aluminum is durable and lightweight, which is why it’s used so much in the gun world. Timber Creek cut out even more weight with a design that intentionally reduces the amount of aluminum needed in the grip. This minimalist design is often referred to as “skeletonized.”

Most AR pistol grips are hollow and open on the bottom. Mil-Spec grips are open on the bottom, and many aftermarket grips have doors/lids built into them. The Enforcer grip, however, redistributes material in that open space, resulting in a skeleton-like look: open and empty.

When this skeletonized style first started to appear in stores, I was afraid the open areas would reduce support for the grip or make for an uncomfortable shooting experience. Wouldn’t open sides make the grip feel less secure? It looks like it would, but it doesn’t. Surprisingly.

The 4-ounce aluminum grip is comfortable. It’s pleasant to grab onto a metal pistol grip compared to the standard plastic molded ones. It feels good in the hand and much to my surprise, I had no trouble with it. I had perfect control of the weapon and, if I’m honest, the grip was better than some other name-brand grips out there.

If you want some accessories to go with the grip, Timber Creek makes those too. They offer foregrips, trigger guards, barrier stops, and more. AR-15 rifles are not their only specialty either. Recently, they have begun producing parts for Glock, Sig Sauer, and Ruger, among others. Most of their parts are offered in various color options, so you’re free to mix and match for a one-of-a-kind rifle.

Installing the Enforcer pistol grip

Installing a pistol grip on an AR-15 is easy and only takes a few minutes. You will need a 3/16-inch extended Hex wrench or flathead screwdriver to remove your current pistol grip. There is a spring located on the side of the grip that goes into the lower receiver. This is the selector detent spring, and it will come out with the grip. When the bolt is unscrewed, place your thumb on the top side of the grip, just under the selector.

Wiggle the grip and pull it down until you can see the spring. Keep your thumb over the spring as you slowly pull the grip off. As long as you don’t tip the receiver over, the selector detent can stay in the hole the spring came out of. Place the spring inside the hole on the new Timber Creek grip and line it up with the hole in the lower receiver. Push the grip upwards until the spring is compressed, and the grip is on all the way.

Now the bolt can be put in the new grip. The Enforcer grip uses a smaller Hex wrench than most AR grips, so you will need a 5/32 extended hex wrench to install it. Once you have the grip on it, work the selector to make sure it is functioning correctly. And that’s all there is to it. I installed my grip on a Geissele AR, and it looks great.

Got a grip?

The Enforcer AR-15 pistol grip retails for around $80, so it’s not what I would call cheap. But if you want cheap, you buy plastic. This is an upgraded part made from billet aluminum, so the price isn’t bad at all when you consider the quality. I can say this upgrade is worth the money. Just about every AR-15 part you could want is available in multiple colors from Timber Creek. So, if you want to give your AR-15 rifle a custom look with high-quality parts, this is where I would start. Build one from scratch or upgrade your current rifle over time. Either way, the Enforcer AR-15 pistol grip will look great on your AR-15 rifle.