I once was training on Beamhit’s Sniper Trainer System with some sniper instructors who were simultaneously conducting a squad designated marksman course for units about to deploy. Many of the designated marksmen at that time were armed with M16A4 rifles and Trijicon ACOG optics. These rifles were unmodified service rifles and the barrels were not free-floated. The instructers did an interesting demonstration for these SDMs. They chose a good shooter and had him confirm his zero. They then had him rest his rifle on its magazine and fire a group at a 100 meter target. He then rested the handguard on sandbags and fired another group. This was repeated at several ranges. The difference in point of impact was amazing. At 200 meters or more it could easily be enough to cause a miss.

They were training the SDMs that were equipped with non-free floated rifles to avoid pressure on the handguards by resting on the magazine when shooting prone and holding the front of the magazine well when shooting offhand. I quickly found that the magwell hold also gives most soldiers a a tighter, more stable position for CQB type shooting. I found myself instinctively gripping the front of the magwell any time I picked up an M4.

Mako MWG Magwell Grip and FGR-3 Tri-Rail Handguard system on an AR-15 Carbine

One of the most practical new accessories for M16, M4, and AR-15 rifles and carbines is the MWG Magazine Well Grip from The Mako Group. This accessory acts as a comfortable forward vertical grip and a magazine well funnel for quick magazine changes. Manufactured from reinforced polymer composite, it is lightweight and extremely durable. Unlike some ugly aftermarket magwell funnels, the MWG looks good on any weapon.

The MWG is designed in two halves that are placed around the magazine well on AR-type rifles. Three hex screws hold the two halves together. It extends below the magazine well to form an effective funnel to speed reloads. The front is finger-grooved and textured for a comfortable, secure hold, and the additional width give a more comfortable grip than the bare receiver. For those who worry that hand pressure on a magazine could cause malfunctions (I have never seen this happen), the MWG keeps the hand off of the magazine.

The MWG is manufactured in Israel by FAB Defense, the premier manufacturer of weapon accessories for the Israeli Defense Force, special operations units, and law enforcement, as well as other militaries and agencies worldwide. It is designed to fit the military weapons in use by the IDF. Because there are slight variations in civilian lower receivers between manufacturers in the US, the MWG may require slight fitting for some lowers. The most common differences are in the size of the lip at the magwell opening and the radius below the pivot pin. We have found it to be a drop-in fit on some receivers, while others need a bit of dremel work on the grove that fits the bottom of the magazine well, or a bit of file work on the part of the MWG that fits under the pivot pin. We have even seen variations between receivers from the same manufacturers, with the MWG fitting some of their lowers but needing adjustment for others. Update: After testing with most available AR lower recievers, a modified MWG was used as a pattern to rework the design. All MWGs currently being produced should fit all standard military and civilian AR-15 type weapons with no fitting required.AR-15 rifles with recievers that are radically different in shape from the milspec pattern may still require fitting or may not work with the MWG.

One thing that was surprising to me was the number of AR shooters that grip the front of the magwell. When displaying the MWG at SHOT Show, the most common comment I heard was, “That’s how I hold my rifle!” I had only two people tell me that they did not hold their magwell when firing.

The MWG Magazine Well Grip is another excellent example of the simplicity and extreme functionality of Israeli weapon accessories. It has proven to be extremely popular with American shooters, both military and civilian. Like all Mako/FAB products, it is covered by a lifetime replacement guarantee.

Click here to purchase the MWG Magazine Well Grip and Magwell Funnel for AR-15 Rifles and Carbines.

Fitting

Update: All MWGs currently being produced should be a drop-in fit on all standard military and civilian rifles, carbines, and AR-15 pistols. However, there may be some of the original version still in stock with dealers. If your MWG is not a drop-in fit on your weapon, follow these simple directions.

On many AR-15 receivers the MWG is a drop-in fit. On some, however, the MWG will require slight fitting. Fitting should take about 5 to 10 minutes.

I recommend using a Dremel tool with a burr type cutting tip when working with polymer. A stone type grinding tip can be used, but will build up heat quickly and plug up with material. A file may also be used.

If fitting needs to be done, it should be done on the front part of the MWG, not the rear. If the adjustment is made at the rear, the MWG will sit too far forward and prevent magazines from dropping free. Be sure to do all fitting work on the MWG and not on your lower receiver.

The two areas that may require slight fitting for correct installation. This MWG has been modified to fit this receiver.

There are two areas that may need to be fit depending on the receiver. The first is the radius that fits under the pivot pin area. In this area carefully remove material from the MWG with a file or a Dremel tool until the MWG fits as high as it needs to. The bottom of the magwell should align with the bottom of its groove in the MWG. The second area is the front of the groove that fits the lip at the bottom of the magazine well. The shape and size of this lip varies greatly between AR receivers. If there is an issue with fit in this area, the solution is to open up the part of the groove on the MWG that fits around the front of the magazine well. The MWG should be fit so that the bottom of the magaxine well fits tightly against the bottom of the grove in the MWG. Make the same adjustment to both sides of the MWG so that the two halves align when installed.

Many AR receivers require no fitting. Others may require fitting in only one of the above areas. Before you begin cutting, lay one half of the MWG against the receiver, fitting the back first, and then see what fitting, if any, is required at the front. The MWG should fit snugly, but should not require much force to fit. If the fit is not right, do not attempt to force the fit by drawing it into place with the screws, as you may break the MWG or strip the screws.

Left half of MWG fit and installed on a receiver.

MWG halves comparing unfitted (left) to fitted (right).

Correct fit of MWG on a receiver. Receivers like this with a wider bevel inside the bottom of the magazine well compliment the MWG's function as a magwell funnel.

MWG magwell funnel and grip installed correctly. Fitting was accomplished with the Dremel tool shown.

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