Stabilize Yourself: Rifle Bipod Buyer’s Guide

There are many rifle bipod models and styles available. But which one is right for you? As with all shooting gear, it depends on what you use and what features are most important to you. We’ll be looking at the best bipods for different purposes, and we’ll also go over the differences between them. Are Rifle Bipods Worth It? A bipod’s primary purpose is to stabilize the rifle in the field. A bipod is a good choice for some pursuits. For others, it is a crucial piece of gear to ensure precise shots at long distances. Bipods are essential for shooting modern rifle sports such as 2-Gun, Quantified performance, Brutality matches, and other similar events. It helps eliminate uncertainty and ensure that your shots go where you want them to. What Kinds of Bipods are Available? There are many bipod sellers and manufacturers, but most fall into three categories based upon their design features. Harris Engineering’s Harris-style bipod is the most popular. Harris bipods, and their clones, have spring-loaded, telescoping leg. They can be folded up when not in use and locked in the open position when pulled down. There are many leg styles and lengths to choose from. You can add a mechanical swivel, self leveling legs or additional spring-loading to speed up opening. The next type could be described as either a cog style or ratchet. They can be folded down like a Harris, but they are not spring-assisted. There are many manufacturers that make this type, but Magpul’s bipod is the most well-known. Another class is the two-piece family. This bipod is made up of two separate legs that attach to the rifle, one on each side. Some can rotate down and back, while others can rotate down and forward to lock the rifle open. These are generally not recommended for use in high-end homes and should be avoided. Some grip pods have a small bipod hidden within the vertical foregrip. These are now very much out of fashion. A MARSOC operator using a combination foregrip/bipod on his carbine. These are much less popular than they were in 2009, when this photo was taken. Photo: Wikipedia. How do you put a bipod on a rifle? A sling swivel mounting is the most common attachment. The bipod locks onto the sling-swivel attachment just like a standard attachment. This style is best for traditional rifles that came with a factory-supplied sling stud. These were meant to be left on the rifle after installation, but some sling-stud-mounted bipods can be removed quickly. Other bipods attach via modern means such as Picatinny rails or M-LOK or KeyMod mounts. There are many rifle bipods that can be mounted via this method. They also come with a quick detach system. An AR-15 equipped with a Harris-style Harris-style bipod from Caldwell. Attached via M-LOK. Bipods come with their flaws. It doesn’t really matter how long you have them, but it can be a problem if you are involved in activities like hunting, competing, or soldiering. Even the lightest models add weight to the muzzle-end of your gun, and certain setups and applications may require you to forgo functionality to save on weight.SpeedSpring-loaded designs are typically the fastest, and if you ever anticipate having to deploy your bipod quickly, this is probably the style that you want. Two-piece designs that do not have springs are the slowest to use, but they can be used for most types of shooting. This feature is not available on all bipods. Swivel bipods offer more target-tracking capabilities, which is important if you plan to use the bipod to track or follow a target. However, the additional range of movement can have downsides, as the swivel mechanism can add weight, bulk and noise to the bipod. They can also affect stability. For example, they are known for poking users in their backs while being carried and making it difficult to access ports. With a slick rifle, it is difficult enough to navigate a VTAC barricade. A bipod on the gun’s front is a good idea. The way you plan to carry your rifle in the field, and the positions you intend to shoot from will all impact which model is best for you. It won’t withstand heavy use if stress-bearing parts are made from a material that can’t bear stress well. All modern two-piece models for carbines are prone to breaking down. The Harris 1A2-L2 is a steel bipod that can be quickly deployed with its spring-loaded, self-leveling legs. You can adjust the length of the bipod from 9 to 13 inches. Shorter and longer versions are also available. An adapter can be purchased for any attachment method. It weighs in at 12 ounces. It is lacking some features, such as a swivel, and is quite heavy. However, in terms of what it does (deploys quickly, self-levels), and what it costs (MSRP $79), it is hard to find a better value for money. The Atlas PSR Military-Chosen BipodThe Atlas PSR was designed for USSOCOM. The Atlas PSR is a high-quality, duty-grade rifle bipod that’s packed with features. The PSR comes in a variety of sizes, from 6.2 inches to 12.6 inch to 9.5 inches to 5 inches to 9.4 inches to 6.2 inches to 9.4 inches. It can also be ordered with or without quick-detach. It features a swivel with 30 degrees of cant/pan and fore-and-aft limiting bosses to keep your legs stable. You can adjust the angle, cant/pan, and other settings to suit your needs. Atlas PSR bipods measure 7.35 inches in length when folded for the short model, and 9.3 inches for the long model. Few bipods can match its durability, track record, or features. MSRP starts at $260 Accu-Tac FC-5G2 is the best rifle bipod for precision shooting. The FC series was designed for F-Class competitors. The FC-5 G2 features a wider base that supports the rifle and provides greater stability. The legs can be adjusted in length up to 10.6 inches and in position so that the bipod can be deployed between 45 and 90 degrees. They can also be adjusted to pan and cant. To mount it, however, a Picatinny rail will be required. Although they are not ideal for field shooting, Accu-Tac bipods can be used for precision bench shooting. MSRP: $466 MagpulMagpul’s Best Lightweight Rifle Bpod: Although there are some drawbacks to the bipods, their main selling points are A. They’re bipods, they work, and they’re still bipods. They are extremely light, slim, and cost-effective. These are great for backcountry hunters and carbine shooters looking for a low-drag, lightweight bipod. These legs are made of injection-molded polymer (likely a nylon mixture), and have adjustable height (7 to 10) and an adjustable open position. Magpul offers a variety of mount options that can attach to the legs, including variants that lock in either the open or closed position. It measures 10 inches folded and weighs only 8 ounces. This bipod is as lightweight as any rifle bipod. MSRPs start at $75. Best Bipod for Sitting: SwaggerQD42Many hunters shoot from blinds, so most bipods are designed around the prone position. The Swagger QD42 is a bipod that can be used while sitting, kneeling, or concealed in a natural blind. The base bipod can be used with Picatinny rails. An adapter may be needed depending on your setup. The legs are 14 to 42 inches long and flex at the connector for forward cant. MSRP is $129.99. Swagger has adapters available for $20-40. The Javelin Pro Hunt TacJavelin Pro Hunt bipods are the best quick detach. They use a magnetic docking system that attaches to your rifle. The Javelin is a lightweight bipod that can be attached and detached quickly (it’s faster than Picrail QD mounts), and packed with features. You can choose from short or long adjustable legs. They are also swappable. The Javelin has a locking traverse feature which allows you to stow the bipod together and then lock it. The rifle’s socket houses the magnet. The bipod features cant-and-pan, traverse, and track targets. It also has spring-loaded legs for stability. The bipod weighs in at 7.6 ounces and has standard-length legs. This bipod is fast and easy to use. MSRP: $320 Improve your Marksmanship. NEXT STEP – Download Your Storm Tactical Printable TargetPack62 Printable MOA Targets with Drills – Rifle range in YARDSThis amazing target pack comes from Storm Tactical and contains 62 printable targets for rifle and handgun range usage. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. This is a great option for long-range shooting. Enter your email address below.