Bravo Company Mod 3 Vertical Grip vs. KAG
BCM’s gunfighter campaign maybe one of the most direct and effective marketing strategies implemented in recent industry history. What gun guy or gal doesn’t enjoy language bringing to mind Clint Eastwood’s famous Mexican stand-off in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly and other gunfights like it? Granted, I’m working from exclusively anecdotal evidence, but I know that it’s been effective on me personally. In addition, I believe my perception of its effect on others to be accurate.
Now, marketing is all fine and dandy, but we all realize much of the marketing we digest is merely hype. However, in the case of BCM, they seem to be consistently producing products suitable for hard use—products that live up to the hype. I was curious if their newest foregrips would follow suit. After months of use, I could just tell you that both the Mod 3 Vertical Grip and KAG (Kinesthetic Angled Grip) are well-made, but where’s the fun in that?
Instead, I propose these gunfighter accessories engage in a shoot out.
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Overview
The market is flooded with vertical grips, and BCM’s short vertical grip has been an industry standard for years. The evolution of shooters moving from a vertical grip that they held onto, to smaller grips often used as more of a hand stop than a true grip, is clearly apparent. The Mod 3 is the next logical step in that evolution. It doesn’t offer the storage compartment of the earlier model, but it is even more low profile, has increased forward angle that keeps it rigid, and has been spotted on Larry Vickers’ rifle. Need I say more?
The KAG is a true hand stop, but it features a unique design among hand stops. Some might argue that the KAG is the next natural evolution of the vertical grip, but the truth is, it just comes down to personal preference. As one might expect from the verbose, sciency-sounding product name, the KAG is another collaboration produced with Travis Haley, and as one might expect from that, it is well thought out, rugged, and, in the end, a rock-solid option.
Upon first inspection, we’ll call the first impression a draw.
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Weight
The Mod 3 is about 6 ounces lighter than its predecessor weighing in at 1.9 oz, but the KAG is even more svelte at 1.01 oz. These are both super manageable weights, but to those of us with a backpacker mentality— lighter is better.
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Durability
They are both inherently durable, tough as nails in fact. The KeyMod versions tested locked securely into place and would not be beaten off.
When these hombres come into town, everyone recognizes they are “right salty fellas.”
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Effectiveness
Are they effective? Yes, they are both handy as can be. Is one more effective then the other? This seems very subjective to me, so I’m giving them a tie— it’s personal preference.
As they stare each other down, the onlookers aren’t at all sure what the outcome will be. The KAG rolls its cigarette from one side of its mouth to the other, while the Mod 3 spits and holds a glimmer of confidence in its squinting eyes.
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Dimensions
From my way of seeing it, the KAG is slightly more snag-free than the Mod 3. It’s 1.55” tall and .70” wide compared to the Mod 3’s 1” width and 2.75” height (according to my calipers). The Mod 3 is thinner than the short vertical grip. The Key Mod version of the KAG is thinner than the rail version, and I think that may hold true of the rail version of the Mod 3 as well, but I didn’t have one handy to verify.
So to my eye, the KAG pulls leather a shade before the Mod 3 in the Dimensions category.
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X-factor
In most areas of life, there is an unspoken x-factor. You date three beautiful women, but one becomes your wife. You hear two compelling leaders articulate their vision, but you choose to link up with one over the other.
Both men are fast but on this day, in this moment, one had the edge. For me, the KAG lives on my go-to gun. I like both, but the KAG has the x-factor, it fits my KMR rail perfectly and adds to my gun’s performance far more than its 1 oz or $18 might suggest. You might see it differently, but I’m the one writing this story, and I say KAG took out the Mod 3 at high noon!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_89IJMTMOVA
