We've all heard it time and time again: "To become proficient with a firearm, it needs to fit you." Fortunately, many manufacturers of aftermarket AR accessories incorporate ergonomic features in product designs that help to customize key firearm components (i.e. pistol grips and forearms) to a shooters hand in an effort to garner maximum comfort and precision.
While there are quite a few offerings from which to choose by companies such as Command Arms Accessories, Ergo and Hogue, two of my favorites are the TangoDown Battlegrip and the Magpul MIssion ADaptable grip or MIAD.
In addition to promoting comfort, it's been my experience the hand-filing shape of the Battlegrip also serves to mitigate recoil impulse. There's also a rubberized gasket on the bottom to provide weather-resistant storage for CR123A batteries or spare gun parts.
Of course, the sides of the MIAD also contain a purchase-enhancing texture, but that's where the similarities end. The MIAD offers shooters a customizable kit, which consists of three different backstraps, two frontstraps and an inner core/grip plug capable for storing things such as small parts or even three spare 5.56 NATO rounds.
Far from aesthetic frills, such personal touches help to minimize trigger reach, lessen hand fatigue during periods of prolonged shooting and can provide the means for keeping your rifle in the fight should one of its small-but essential parts break or fail without warning. In short, such multi-purpose products can help you garner situational control.