The B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip stands proud as the best of the AR-15 pistol grips on the market today. It is made with a textured surface and ergonomic design for easy handling and precision shots, no matter the situation.
When it comes to durability, the B5 Systems doesn’t disappoint either. It's made from high-grade materials that make it strong and reliable. Furthermore, the B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip is designed to work with a range of AR-15 platforms, making it a versatile and customizable part of your weapon system.
Overall, the shape and design of this Grip is awesome, despite its relative downsides. To find out more about this and other grips, read up more in this article.
B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip
- Fabric/Material:
Durable Composite
- Weight:
2.4 oz
At this point in my shooting life, I’ve pretty much narrowed my pistol grip selection down to two grips: the Magpul K2 Grip and the B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip.
That’s it. When I build a rifle, I use one of these grips.
The Magpul K2 Grip has been covered pretty extensively. But the Type 23 grip gets less attention. It’s an outstanding pistol grip, though.
I’m here to give the Type 23 grip some of the attention it deserves.
Table of Contents
B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip Review: Good Enough for Government Work
There are actually two variants of the Type 23 grip. The original B5 Systems P-Grip 23 has a super mellow texture, which works on its own. But the texture also stays out of the way if you want to do your own stippling.
I’m too lazy to do any stippling. So I only have the textured Type 23 grip. And I’ll refrain from pontificating on the ease of stippling or anything like that.
Shape and Design
The shape is the main reason I really like this grip. And there are two aspects of the shape that work really well for me.
First, the beavertail is pretty much the best. I wish the Magpul K2 grip had a beavertail like the Type 23 grip.
The beavertail is awesome because it’s exactly as thick as it should be. It perfectly fills the gap between your lower receiver and the webbing of your hand when you get your firing grip.
It stops you from jamming your hand up too high on the pistol grip, which places your trigger finger above your trigger, rather than in line with it. In short, this grip ensures that your firing hand is well-placed, so that your trigger finger is indexed correctly.
There’s no other grip I know of that establishes your hand placement as well as the Type 23 grip. Even the K2 grip isn’t as good, even though the beavertail is well designed.
Then, the other thing I love about this grip is that there are no crazy finger grooves or anything. It’s just a straight grip.
Maybe I just have weird hands. But finger grooves almost never work for me. And the A2 finger tab is absolutely terrible, as far as I’m concerned.
The Type 23 grip has none of that. And the girth and oval shape are super comfortable. Also, the grip widens out right about where your thumb naturally rests. It’s like a little shelf for your thumb.
Overall, it’s a super simple solution to the problem of needing a place to put your firing hand, with the added benefit of a nice place to put your thumb.
However—even though I appreciate simplicity—I think the shape could be better. I find the K2 grip to be more comfortable, because it has that indention that fits the webbing of your hand really well.
The Type 23 is still super comfortable, though. The basic shape is very comfortable. And it works incredibly well with the beavertail to help you get your hand in the right spot, every time.
My only complaint about this grip is that it doesn’t come with an end cap. I’m not hiding my gold coins in my pistol grip or anything. But I appreciate a pistol grip with an end cap that enables me to store some oil or something in my pistol grip.
This is almost a non-issue, though. Just keep some oil in your range bag or something.
Overall, the shape and design are awesome.
Grip Angle
I’m not sure of the exact grip angle. But it’s pretty similar to the 17 degree grip angle on the K2 grip. If it’s not exactly the same, the difference is only a degree or two.
Regardless of the specifics, the grip angle is the way I like it. B5 Systems says it puts your wrist in a more natural position and makes it easier to keep your elbow down, rather than chicken winging. In my experience, this claim is true.
I find it much easier to shoot with a more squared off stance and keep my elbow in tight to my ribs when I shoot with this grip.
There’s a lot of chatter on the internet about AR-15 pistol grip angle. Some say it’s a big deal. Some say it doesn’t matter.
Either way, I prefer a more vertical grip angle. And I think B5 Systems nailed it with the grip angle on this pistol grip.
Grip Texture
The basic grip texture is pretty bland. But it works. I like the texture of the textured Grip 23, though. It’s pretty aggressive. Even with sweaty hands, I’ve never had an issue with my grip slipping.
However, the grip texture isn’t abrasive. B5 Systems wisely left the backside of this grip untextured. If a grip texture is too aggressive, it tends to dig into my palm the most.
Since there’s no aggressive texturing on the back of this grip, it doesn’t bother me at all in long training sessions or classes.
All in all, the grip texture itself is solid. But they also put the texture in all the right places. My palms approve the Grip 23 grip texture.
Get Your Grip
B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip
- Fabric/Material:
Durable Composite
- Weight:
2.4 oz
Here’s the cliff notes version of everything I just wrote: this B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip is awesome for shooting. Sure, it could offer a bit more utility if it had an end cap. But that’s a tiny issue. This grip is great.
There’s also a hidden benefit to this grip. It’s not as popular as the Magpul K2. When the K2 grip is out of stock, you can usually pick one of these up.
Overall, this grip is super simple and super comfortable. And it’ll most likely be in stock the next time you need an AR pistol grip. When it’s time to get a grip, I say get this one.
