MK Machining Grips Review: VCG-L, VCG Recce, and VCG RH Precision

Image	Product	Price
	VCG-L	Check Price
	VCG Recce	Check Price
	VCG RH Precision	Check Price

MK Machining has been popular among my shooting team and many others for quite some time. In fact, long before MK Machining sent me these grips, I was running the VCG-L on my BCM Recce rifle.

Since my build was focused on precision then, there was no better option. Every time I put my finger on the trigger, I had perfect finger pad placement, and each shot was as consistent as the last.

After thousands of rounds of use and plenty of banging around, the VCG-L never gave me a single issue or showed any signs of failing.

It wasn’t until I decided to build a more CQB-focused rifle that I switched grips, but the VCG-L is still one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.

Luckily, this time MK Machining sent me these to test and review. Even though I didn’t pay for them, I won’t let that sway my opinion.

Note: The “VCG” stands for Vertical Crossover Grip, and the VCG line is meant to handle everything from close-quarters shooting to long distances. But does it?

Let’s see.

Why You Should Trust Us

I’ve used dozens of grips throughout various builds, including the old A2-style grips, many Magpul grips, and, most recently, the new Special-K grip.

I’ve also been an armorer for seven years, so I’ve learned a lot about grips and which ones are best for specific purposes.

My friends spend copious amounts of money searching for the best products, initially leading me to the VCG-L.

The other grips are new to me, but I have managed to put roughly 300 rounds down range with each of them. As I mentioned earlier, the VCG-L has seen thousands of rounds while mounted on my rifle(s).

Vertical Crossover Grips Overview

MK Machining made the VCG grips to bridge the gap between two purposes — precision over distance and comfortability when moving in close quarters.

Looking at the grip itself, you can see that there’s a hump on the back, which gives your hand more (or less) space to get proper finger pad placement with every shot.

The top of the grip has space cut out for you to rest your thumb, and it’s not as pronounced on the other grips as on the VCG Precision. The thumb shelf provides additional comfort and potential accuracy, as it helps your hand relax and maintain its position so you do not pull to one side as you squeeze the trigger.

Remember that before you buy one.

The only difference between VCG-L and the VCG Recce is the VCG’s lack of a beaver tail.

Before you buy one, consider your build and think of what you’ll need from your grip.

If your overall goal is precision, go with the VCG Precision. If you aim for a more well-rounded build, the VCG-L and VCG Recce will do the trick just fine.

What We Like About The MK Machining Grips

My favorite part of the VCG grip line is how they allow for proper finger pad placement.

Proper finger pad placement helps mitigate pulling to the left or right, a problem I suffered from for a long time and that many shooters still struggle with when putting shots out over longer distances.

Since the grip pushes your hand back more than traditional grips, your finger has less reach, which stops the trigger from falling in your finger joint. This gave me more consistency in my shots and amplified my ability to get tighter groups.

I have also had plenty of outdoor shoot days where I frequently hit the ground, and the VCG-L took hit after hit and never failed me. Of course, that durability extends over to the VCG Precision and VCG Recce.

Flaws and Potential Dealbreakers

One of the issues I had with the VCG grips was in close quarters when transitioning my stock over my shoulder to get around a corner. The grip angle puts your wrist into a not-so-comfortable position.

While this isn’t a complete dealbreaker if your rifle is geared more for longer-range shooting, I had wrist pain after a day of moving and shooting in close quarters.

But I only found it an issue if I put the stock over my shoulder around corners. There was no issue whatsoever if I put the stock under my armpit.

I eventually had to change the grip since I typically go over the shoulder around corners. But that’s my shooting style. If yours is different, or you’re willing to change it up to accommodate, you won’t find any issues.

I’d also like to see a more aggressive grip texture. I didn’t feel overly confident holding onto the VCG grips with wet hands.

With that said, they never slipped.

Outside of these things, the VCG grips met all my expectations.

How We Tested

Before MK Machining knew I existed, I bought the VCG-L grip and used it on my multi-purpose AR-15 for a year and a half. I can’t count how many range trips I had then, but it was a lot.

And thousands of rounds spent.

These shoot days included regular flat-range shooting and different courses with objectives that had to be completed. Many of which included quick transitions between prone shooting and standing.

Unfortunately, I could not run the VCG Precision and VCG Recce through the same courses I did with the VCG-L, but they stood up fine.

Where To Buy The MK Machining VCG Grip

Pros & Cons

Features

Thumb Ledge (VCG RH Precision)

The RH Precision grip features a pronounced thumb ledge, which allows for better precision and comfort when taking longer shots. If you’ve ever seen a precision shooter at work, you’ve likely noticed that they do not wrap their thumb around the grip.

Instead, they have it on the same side as their trigger finger. It’s far more comfortable on the wrist and allows you to make better shots.

Palm Swell

One of the most notable features of the VCG line of grips is the palm swell, which helps you achieve proper and consistent finger placement to make better shots.

They make the grip wider than your traditional Magpul or B5 Systems grip, which those with larger hands will appreciate.

Storage Floorplate

While it’s not included with the grips, a storage floorplate can keep small objects like batteries or the occasional handful of Skittles readily accessible.

Best of all, it’s not hard to open like many other grip floorplates.

Conclusion

If you’re a shooter with larger hands, you will love the VCG line of grips- so long as you aren’t moving in close quarters and throwing the stock over your shoulder.

They are wider than other grips, have palm swells to push your hand back, and for those who really want to accurately send their rounds farther, a thumb rest on the Precision model to make everything even more comfortable and ergonomic for those who want to send their rounds farther accurately.

Best of all, they don’t break the bank.

Have you used any of these grips before? If not, would you want to? If you wouldn’t want to, which grip would you recommend?

Interested in checking out some of our favorite grips? Read more about our favorite AR-15 grips here.

Be good and take care.