1. Adjustable Ergonomic Rifle Grip
CAPT JT Elder, USN Commanding Officer
NSWC Crane
Dr. Brett Seidle Technical Director
Adjustable Ergonomic Rifle Grip
Presented By: Jason M. Davis
CRANE

2. Tale of Two Rifles M16 rifle introduced: 1963 barrel length: 20”
fixed stock
no built-in mounting surfaces
M4A1 Carbine rifle
introduced: 1994
barrel length: 14.5”
adjustable stock
rail system for mounting
electro-optics
5.5”
4.25”

3. Lessons from Operation Desert Storm (1991)
Why the M4A1 Carbine?
Lessons from Operation Desert Storm (1991)
Jungle warfare to urban warfare (Close Quarter Battle)
Vehicle ingress/egress
Body armor
Weight
Tradeoff
Effective range
Unintended consequences

4. Vietnam-era Shooting Stance
elbow up & out
wrist straight
side forward facing

5. Current Shooting Stance
wrist bent
chest forward facing
elbow down & tucked

6. Shooting Stance Look Familiar?
New shooting stance more “natural”
Coverage of body armor best in front and back
Stance better accommodates shorter weapon
Weapon transitions made easier

7. Address the unintended consequence of a bent wrist during firing Why?
Need
Address the unintended consequence of a bent wrist during firing
Why?
Poor ergonomics
Can lead to vibration-induced musculoskeletal injury
Market included military, law enforcement, and gun enthusiasts

8. The Technology
MilTech Prototype

9. Rearward Most Position Foreward Most Position
The Technology
(positions every 4)
Rearward Most Position
MilTech Prototype
Foreward Most Position

10. Competition Advantages
Provides two additional grip angles over standard grip
Simple two-piece design
Disadvantages
To adjust angle, requires user to loosen pistol grip screw
Creates potential to lose safety selector spring and detent
Pistol grip screw responsible for mating two pieces of grip together
Wear at interface a concern

11. If spring or detent is lost, weapon becomes un-operational!
Three bad things…
Not having a weapon
Not having a working weapon
Running out of ammunition

12. Legal Landscape & Next Steps
Notice of Allowance received from USPTO on January 20th
Looking for an industry partner
Obtain user feedback with current prototype
Make design changes based on feedback
Conduct early user assessment

13. Technology Transfer (T2)/SIBR Program Manager
Contact Information
Jason M. Davis Project Principal Investigator NSWC Crane 300 Hwy 361 Code JXNR, B-3422 Crane, IN (812)
Brooke Pyne
NSWC Crane ORTA
Technology Transfer (T2)/SIBR Program Manager
NSWC Crane
300 Hwy 361
Crane, IN 47522
(812)