Pistol grip

Some firearms, starting from a 1840s Belgian carbine,[2] and some automatic weapons in the 20th century (e. g., Chauchat MG, Thompson submachine gun, AK-47 assault rifle), have a second frontal pistol grip (or foregrip) on the firearm's fore-end to be used by the support hand for better stability in operation.

In few firearms, like the Finnish Kk 62 light machine gun, the pistol grip is also used as a handle to charge the weapon.

Pistol grips are regarded as a defining feature in United States gun law.

One of the reasons that pistol-style grips are so common in machinery is because it is possible to ergonomically position the operating controls for use with minimal hand movement.

For example, on self-loading rifles such as the AR-15 and M16 rifle, the user's grip hand can manipulate the trigger and magazine release with only the index finger, while using the thumb to control the safety or selector switch, all without needing to remove the palm from the grip.