Let’s talk Bipods.
- Thread starter thump_rrr
- Start date
Whiskeyhotel2020
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Forgive my ignorance, but what about UTG? I was thinking the Recon flex 360 mlok type. Running a Harris knock off Champion 6-9 and hate it because of the tilt not locking into place.
I keep your advice in my head, I think it was until you’re ready to spent $600 get a Harris, but I do wonder why not the Atlas Cal bipods
Edit: Didn’t realize this thread is over a year old! Sorry, still have the same question though
ExtremeSquared
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I have a UTG flex 2 side-mount mlok bipod that is nice.
A lot of people wrote off leapers/UTG as low-quality trash. Because the brand used to be exactly that in the 2000s.
The Atlases are great bipods I love mine, but for double the money they really don't do a lot more than a Harris.
Ok yes, I was picturing getting the tall Atlas and going 45 degrees to get low. Does that work well enough?
berettaprofessor
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Varminterror
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If I had to hazard a guess, based on my own observations: The base model Magpul you linked isn’t as rigid as a Harris, but relatively competitively priced. The swivel model Magpul costs MORE than the Harris, and again, isn’t as rigid, and the tensioning screw is positioned such it’s more difficult to access from behind the rifle.
The Magpul is generally and slightly better than the Caldwell or Blackhawk knock-offs of the Harris design.
I've got the M-Loc mount, the picatinny mount and the sling stud mount you linked. The sling mount has plastic legs whereas the others are metal under the plastic outer sleeve. They do flex a little when you load the legs but I don't really see that much difference in feel when shooting.
I really like them, they seem perfectly suited for a lighter weight hunting rifle.
MarshallDodge
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I've been running a Harris for 25+ years but I do like some of the newer designs on the market. The Atlas knockoff that a friend gave me has allowed me to try some of the features of that particular style. I'm not quite sold on it but maybe I need to get someone to show me how to really use it.
A shooting buddy has an Accu-tac and that is a really nice setup.
A few days ago I picked up a lightly used Magpul bipod and will report back when I get a chance to try it out.
A shooting buddy has an Accu-tac and that is a really nice setup.
A few days ago I picked up a lightly used Magpul bipod and will report back when I get a chance to try it out.
thump_rrr
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The Magpul is absolute junk in my eyes.
Taller than a Harris and much more wobbly.
I bought one and then gave it away to a friend who needed a bipod one day.
ExtremeSquared
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There are two lines of magpul bipods -- one plastic/plastic and one metal/plastic. You are likely comparing across lines.
The only difference between sling swivel and other mount in the metal/plastic line is some detail in the panning, I think. If I remember right, sling swivel is fixed pan and the others can be flipped from fixed to pan/locking.
I have one on a RAR. It's workable. Lots of play, but you are supposed to pre-load the play out of it anyway. If the plastic/plastic line had been released at the time I probably would have gone for one of those to save money/weight on a mid-quality bipod.
Varminterror
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Don’t. Connect to the rifle, let it rest against your shoulder, don’t load into the bipod. You’re only introducing wobble to your aiming and muzzle rise to your shooting.
ExtremeSquared
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Interesting. Is this a new thing? Is it specific to high-end bipods?
I'm not refuting, but this goes against all military and civilian doctrine I've ever encountered.
Varminterror
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Take the advice, or don’t. Its well documented - loading bipods causes vertical dispersion and extra wobble. By loading, you’re voluntarily putting muscular input (wiggle, wobble, vibration) into the rifle by loading. Raise your chest, let the rifle connect to the chest/shoulder, then as we relax down, the rifle wedges itself against our body - we’re not putting any muscular input into “loading” and not putting excessive strain into the system. We catch the recoil and let the rifle move rearward instead of loading a hard wall behind it, which doesn’t allow the rifle to go anywhere to go but up. This is being trained in both military and civilian applications.
ExtremeSquared
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That video matches doctrine I've encountered -- it endorses pre-loading pretty much immediately.
But I don't consider it infallible, so if there is a doctrine shift happening, that is still interesting.
But I don't consider it infallible, so if there is a doctrine shift happening, that is still interesting.
As I'm understanding, the point is that while building the position induced some preload, hes not actively trying to force any more preload into system.
Another video played immediately after for me, where the dude was shooting with spikes off polished concrete not allowing for preloading the pod. in that video he built his position the same, and simply used his off hand resting on a mini bag as support and control to keep the butt where it was supposed to be in his shoulder.
Just my thoughts.....im by no means well versed in shooting techniques lol.
When I started shooting off of a bipod seriously, it didn’t take long to figure out loading the bipod didn’t work well for precision shooting.
Run the rifle, let the bipod tag along. It’s just supporting the front end of the rifle
Run the rifle, let the bipod tag along. It’s just supporting the front end of the rifle
That's what threw me about the comment @Varminterror made. The video shows exactly what I thought "loading the bipod" meant he even says "proper load of the bipod" at ~1:55 mark.
Anyway the slight preload as I understand it works fine with the Magpul pods.
I'm comparing the 3 I own, one of which is the actual one @berettaprofessor linked which is the all plastic sling swivel mount that has no pan or cant. They also make a metal/plastic sling swivel mount bipod and a ARMS mount all 4 of the metal/plastic bipods have the same cant/pan/pan lockout operation the only difference is in the mounting.
plainsdrifter
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Same on the big springs. Too bulky. I did just get the Magpul Bipod for M-LOK Slots for my SFAR. I like the swivel and cant ability.
Varminterror
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No, and no. I was taught to STOP loading bipods over 20yrs ago, and the same applies to any bipod. Cheaper, less rigid bipods like the plastic Magpul or the Caldwell/Blackhawk Harris knock offs exhibit even more hop and wobble than “high-end bipods” when preloaded.
It should be pretty obvious when the pinnacles of bipod-fired precision use bipods which cannot be preloaded (hint - they’re fired from bipods with skis).
Connect to the rifle, let it load against YOU by its weight and leverage, but don’t put ANY muscular input pushing into the bipod.
