Why Harris?

[berettaprofessor]

For those who own or have experienced multiple brands of bipods, why is Harris the one most often recommended, especially given the 2X to 3X cost of a Harris over other manufacturers? I own a number of bipods by different manufacturers; Caldwell, Winchester, etc. I view them all as satisfactory (although the Caldwell is a bit gritty as you extend it), and none of them slip once correctly attached to the rifle. So I've found it hard to justify the cost of the Harris. Tell me why it's worth the price differential, please

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Harris builds a good bipod from my experience. My oldest is about 30 years old and is still tight. I bought my newer ones based in that. Maybe one of the others is just as good, but I can't say for certain. I use my bipods with heavy, expensive rifles. I didn't want to risk getting an inferior product that may get rickety in the future or even worse fail and drop my rifle.

 

[Klint Beastwood]

Harris is actually the budget bipod for most serious shooters. It’s what people will recommend that works, but won’t break the bank.
That is compared to atlas, versapod, ar APO to name a few...
Me personally, I use the Harris a specific model in particular because it’s what I’m use to and it works for about everything I do. No reason to reinvent the wheel.

 

[Axis II]

I owed either a champion or Caldwell sitting model and being so tall i need its closed height when prone so one morning im sitting on the edge of a bean field and hear comes a woodchuck and i lay down and the dirt is really fine so im sliding a bit so i attempt to load the bipod and snap! barrel goes into the dirt, gun slams to the ground, thank god my finger wasn't on the trigger but safety was off, knocked something loose in my scope so i was down for 3 weeks. Scope had to be sent in for repair, and the bipod internals snapped right off leaving the plate connected to the sling stud. I emailed them and sent pictures and was told they wanted the old one back doe inspections. I said look at the pictures showing 4 screws pulling right out of base. I had issues with the tension screw coming loose also and it eventually fell out so i had to put a large screw in. Cost to ship it back and possibly get another junk one i will be getting a Harris this summer.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

His story is my fear....^

 

[Skylerbone]

I think my GG&G is far more rugged but most of my rifles are fine with Harris and I can buy 2 for less than the cost of a heavy duty bipod. I used to wonder the same; time and experience has convinced me they’re well worth the asking price.

 

[GarySTL]

I've got Harris bi-pods on 22 rimfire rifles, but Atlas on my good rifles.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

My .22 rifles are my good rifles.

 

[AlexanderA]

I think the Harris bipods look goofy, with their external springs. I personally prefer the Israeli-made Command Arms bipods.

 

[imashooter]

The Peleton Tip-Top line is just as good imo if you can decide on which catches your attention. I have a short (6"-9") 7N model w/ the pivot & pan features along with the notched legs. Excellent bipod and very cost effective on ebay, etc. https://peletontechnology.com/product-category/tiptop-rifle-bipods/

 

[jmorris]

Yeah, there are a lot of Chinese knockoffs of Harris bipods these days, some are almost as good.

 

[Odd Job]

I bought Harris because they had the perfect adapter for the flat fore-end of my Thompson Center R55 rifle.
I liked it so much I bought a second Harris for my other R55 too.

 

[z7]

A Harris allows for more repeatable results compared to a knock off brand. A Walmart special (unknown brand, purchased 10 years ago) turns my bolt gun into a 1-1.5 moa rifle

With the Harris it’s .5-.75 moa with me shooting it and I am far from perfect

 

[Sniper66]

I bought a Caldwell and used it once...it is cheap junk, but I was lured by the very low price. So, I'm thinking, "How bad can it be?".......the answer...REALLY bad.

 

[Nature Boy]

I have a small plie of broken Harris knock-offs in my closet that are a monument to a lesson I never seem to fully learn

You get what you pay for

 

[Chuck R.]

I've got a couple Harris, one of which I've had for over 30 years and never had an issue with it. The rifles it's been mounted on have came and went, but the Harris lingers on.

My precision rifle wears an Atlas though, just a little more adjustable and easier to modid (feet, leg extensions etc.)

 

[Gordon]

I don't think anyone else but Harris has a taller model that is anywhere near as light and strong. For field hunting I have used my tall Harris since the 80's with complete satisfaction. It gets you up over tall grass and debris with no sticks to carry.