TFB Review: New AR-15 Accessories from F.A.B. Defense
There are plenty of good reasons to change the furniture on your AR-15, maybe you picked up a budget model with plans to upgrade as you go, maybe you simply don’t like what came with your rifle, or you suffer from restless AR syndrome. No matter the reason, you are now in the market for something new and quickly discovered the plethora of options on the market. Today I’ll be covering a few options from F.A.B. Defense as they have been busy updating their lineup of accessories.
Previously, F.A.B. Defense was the company you went with almost entirely because of price, or the wild overly tactical looks that the early 2000s was plagued with. Now that the market has matured, so has F.A.B. Defense. Their new line of AR accessories have come a long way utilizing new higher grade polymers, modern ergonomics, and overall improvements in fit and finish not to mention the overall cleaner design aesthetic.
F.A.B. Defense sent me their new GL-Core stock, Gradus X grip, and a few of the new Gen 2 Ultimags to try out. A perfect candidate for these new accessories is my wife’s basic Palmetto State Armory AR-15. Like many basic ARs, hers came equipped with a Magpul MOE stock and grip. Other than changing the look and feel of your rifle, in this case, upgrading the stock adds QD sling options that the MOE stock lacks.
GL-CORE Stock
Ergonomically shaped rubberized butt-pad for quick shouldering and easy maneuvering of the weaponInterchangeable buffer tube adapters for a tight fit on Mil-Spec and Commercial buffer tubesIntegrated cheek weld in an overall compact and sleek designNo protruding parts, will not get caught on gear or webbingInverted positioning lever will not open accidentallyTwo integrated quick detach rear sling swivel connectorsMade of durable and light-weight fiberglass reinforced polymer compositeAvailable in Matte Black, Olive Drab Green or Flat Dark EarthMSRP $60.99
Gradus X AR Pistol Grip
Designed specifically for precision shooting & CQBThe 15 degree reduced grip angle prevents arm & wrist fatigueEnhanced, more comfortable pistol grip replacement for your rifleAvailable with an AR style beaver tail or in a flat configuration (FBV)MSRP $19.99
Gen 2 Ultimag
Multi-textured surface for enhanced grip when handling and reloadingUnique floor plate for versatile coupling optionsDisassembled by hand, no tools neededLong-lasting cataphoresis-coated spring for ideal corrosion protectionHybrid AK style spring design prevents tiltUnique internal design for smoother, more reliable feedingLow-friction follower for increased reliabilityDurable, lightweight, impact and crush-resistant reinforced polymer bodyLong-lasting spring design for extended duration in loaded storageExtended floorplate for improved magazine handling with gloves and gearCompatible with double and triple mag pouchesOver-travel protection, stops on the follower for reliable spring operationAvailable in black, olive drab green, or flat dark earthMSRP $13.99
Installing AR furniture only requires a bit driver for the grip, so I won’t be wasting your time covering that. Just know that the spring in the GL-Core stock is fairly stout, so you will need to use some effort to pull the lever down enough to install over the buffer tube.
The GL-Core stock fits securely on a milspec buffer tube but included in the box are adapters to fit a commercial spec buffer if you happen to be upgrading an older rifle. Adjustments to the stock for length of pull are stiff, requiring deliberate intention to press the release to adjust. Rubber grip texture on the stock is excellent, not so much grip that transitioning the rifle pulls clothing, but plenty to keep the rifle secure. Cheek weld is more comfortable than I expected. I appreciate the metal lining for the QD sling inserts. The fiberglass reinforced polymer that F.A.B. Defense is using on these new accessories is a dramatic improvement from years past. The overall feel of the GL-Core is sturdy and comfortable. It feels like a stock I wouldn’t worry about if I had to mortar a rifle to remove a stuck case.
The Gradus-X grip is a difficult one for me to review. I personally don’t like modern vertical grip angles, so I handed it off to a few of my friends to get their input too. The consensus is, the texture is a bit on the smooth side. The palm swell on the rear, while looking a bit odd, does fit most shooters hands well. No one complained about discomfort. The molding is clean, the green perfectly matches the stock. If you are a fan of modern grip angles or if you are interested in trying one, the Gradus-X could be a solid option, especially for the price. In the future, I would like to see a cap or door to store a small oil bottle or batteries.
F.A.B. Defense’s new Gen 2 Ultimag is one the one product that I have a few complaints about. Fitment on several rifles has been incredibly tight, leading to difficulty seating the magazine and requiring much more force to rack the charging handle or using the bolt release. I checked fitment on my test PSA AR, a Smith and Wesson M&P-15, an Armalite, and an Aero Precision AR. All rifles had similar issues, some more than others, with only one rifle being able to drop the magazine freely. Once inserted, the magazines all functioned flawlessly. I conducted drop tests with one, fully loaded to 30 rounds, dropped from chest height onto solid dirt, baseplate first, then feed lips first. Then the same two drops onto gravel and finally two drops onto concrete. The last drop on concrete did crack a feedlip and the Ultimag dropped a single round. I put the lost round back and even with a cracked feedlip, the Ultimag ran all rounds without a failure.
The Gen 2 Ultimag is a solid built magazine. Utilizing the same fiberglass reinforced polymer of the GL-Core and Gradus-X grip, surviving 5 near worst case drops while still being functional, isn’t bad at all. The fitment issues are concerning, but the design appears to be quite durable. I appreciate the toolless baseplate, extended edges aiding is ripping the magazine from a pouch, or the rifle it is stuck in. The Gen 2 Ultimag does state the use of “Hybrid AK style spring design prevents tilt”, tilting rounds can still occur, albeit not as easily as original style GI mags. The geometry needs to be looked at, and incorporating an anti-tilt follower would be a nice addition.
Final Thoughts on These New AR Accessories from F.A.B. Defense
The design and manufacturing improvements to F.A.B. Defense’s lineup is obvious. I am overall impressed by the build quality, packaging, functionality, and price of the GL-Core stock and Gradus-X grip. Both of which can be found, as of writing, for below MSRP from online sellers. The Gen 2 Ultimag does offer some interesting features and design elements, but due to the fitment issues, I can not recommend it at this time. If a new revision drops, I would love to try the Ultimag again.
Competition in the market is a good thing, it keeps companies constantly in the process of improving their products, keeping prices in check, all the while the consumer is given more options.