Bipods

[Aragorn]

I’m on the market for a bipod. 5.56 AR platform. I don’t feel like I need anything crazy as I’m not a sniper or hunting in the mountains. I more concerned about something rapidly deployable and that doesn’t bounce. My only experience was years ago with a Harris and I remember it jumping off the table every time I pulled the trigger. I want something that doesn’t do this.

What should I be looking at? What do you guys like? Are there other factors I should be considering?

[Former11B]

Magpul bipods don’t have the annoying springy twaaaaang the Harris does when fired on anything but a .22lr.

I modified one of mine to deploy at 45* angles like an Atlas...would be easy for them to do it from the factory IMO.

Accutac Bipods are solid from what I’ve seen but I hate the way they look (I know I know function over fashion but dang. Reminds me of an early YHM flash hider or something)

Then there’s always Atlas. Can’t go wrong there unless you’re on a budget

[alamo5000]

One feature that I didn't consider at first but ultimately comes in very handy is having independently adjustable legs.

If you are shooting from uneven surfaces you can adjust one leg up or down or front to back to get where you need to be at.

I've tried a number of junky bipods which all of them wound up in the trash. I bought them thinking that 'I don't want to go over board on something like a bipod', but then the guys here steered me to something good and it's now one of my most used things.

[gatordev]

Something to keep i mind is that when a bipod jumps (which really means the rifle is jumping), it's due to how the shooter has mounted the gun (coupled with caliber, of course). If you're shooting something that has enough recoil impulse to push back (ie, not a 22LR), that energy has to go somewhere. If you're not fully behind the gun (regardless of position), some of that energy is going to be imparted into the gun to make it "hop." While this is less likely in dirt and more likely on a hard surface, since the feet can't "dig" into anything, the overall issue still exists, regardless of surface.

As for bipods, I know Former11B has complained about the Harris twanging before. Personally I don't really notice it unless I'm deploying the legs, and even then, it doesn't bother me. But that's of course up to the shooter to determine. I find a Harris coupled with an Arisaka mount and a Pod-Loc to be a great option. I like to add some pointy feet too, but that's me.

I have an Atlas, and I get why it gained popularity when it came out. Mine has always had the problem of never being tight enough for tilt, but I think it was Will who said that was fixed in later models. Having the 45 degree position is nice. I do find it not as quick to deploy as a Harris, but it does deploy more quietly if that's a concern (which I understand could be).

I'll defer to Former11B on the Magpuls. I haven't used one.

[UWone77]

For casual bench shooting, I think the Magpuls are fine. I usually just use a bag though instead of a bipod.

[SINNER]

Atlas or Knights hands down. Buy once, cry once.

Magpul are shitty toys.
Bobro’s are a overpriced novelty.
Broken 3 GG&G’s.
Accu-Tac’s open notch legs are trash magnets.
Harris are the best cheap date but they rust and make noise.

[mustangfreek]

Atlas or Knights hands down. Buy once, cry once.

Magpul are shitty toys.
Bobro’s are a overpriced novelty.
Broken 3 GG&G’s.
Accu-Tac’s open notch legs are trash magnets.
Harris are the best cheap date but they rust and make noise.

Lol

I like my Harris, but played with a Atlas recently at a shop. Now I need one.

[UWone77]

Lol

I like my Harris, but played with a Atlas recently at a shop. Now I need one.

Standard SINNER review of a product.... crap crap crap.... kinda like this one, crap, this is the one, buy once, cry once.

[fledge]

Standard SINNER review of a product.... crap crap crap.... kinda like this one, crap, this is the one, buy once, cry once.

Wish more reviews were like that. Haha It’s like the Watch Snob for firearms.

[Jerry R]

I have a couple of Harris, and one Atlas. The Harris "noise' has never bothered me, but I've never used it in a situation where that would be a factor. The Harris' are now in the spares box, and I only use the Atlas. Really like it.

[Former11B]

I’ve run Harris and Magpul’s relatively hard in a combination of hunting and competition shooting.

Magpul has held up. I just wish there was a shorter leg version so the initial length was maybe 1-1.5” shorter. I’ve never run this particular model fully extended but I have foregone the bipod on occasion for a rest/bag because I could get lower

Harris leg drags really badly on one side and I even tried putting tape on the spring to dampen the harmonics. This is on a longer mlok rail/Free floating barrel So I don’t know if some additional vibration is transferred to it that’s not normal

[gatordev]

I’ve run Harris and Magpul’s relatively hard in a combination of hunting and competition shooting.

...

Harris leg drags really badly on one side and I even tried putting tape on the spring to dampen the harmonics. This is on a longer mlok rail/Free floating barrel So I don’t know if some additional vibration is transferred to it that’s not normal

I meant to add earlier, that when running my Harris in competitions, at least one of the legs would deploy when on a barricade. The button would go up against the vertical surface of the barricade and out shoots the leg. Annoying at times.

I haven't had leg dragging issues, although maybe I don't understand what you mean. Mine all deploy very quick.

[Aragorn]

Mine all deploy very quick.

To me this is the one alluring bit about the Harris. How fast it deploys. Sounds handy when prone-ing (proning?) out. Unless you just leave the others deployed when you think you may use it. Shoot and move kinda stuff.

[gatordev]

To me this is the one alluring bit about the Harris. How fast it deploys. Sounds handy when prone-ing (proning?) out. Unless you just leave the others deployed when you think you may use it. Shoot and move kinda stuff.

There's two kinds of "deploying," putting the legs down and then also extending the legs. I find the Harris very quick to pull the legs down, but extending the legs is much less precise. How much that matters is of course up for debate.

I will tend to leave the legs down if I know I'm going to need them in a shoot and move situation. But there can be situations where I want them up and then I'm able to pull them down quickly as needed. Obviously none of us can say how you'll use it exactly.

I will iterate, though, a stock Atlas > a stock Harris. So if you did decide to get a Harris, add some to your budget for the extra bits to make it better (ie, smaller profile).

[Former11B]

I meant to add earlier, that when running my Harris in competitions, at least one of the legs would deploy when on a barricade. The button would go up against the vertical surface of the barricade and out shoots the leg. Annoying at times.

I haven't had leg dragging issues, although maybe I don't understand what you mean. Mine all deploy very quick.

The inside of the frame where the leg hinges. After use/abuse (had it happen to two of them) the Outside of the leg scrapes against the inside of the housing. I’ve sanded it down to smooth it out but it eventually keeps getting worse. I’ll take a picture of it when I get home. I’ve thrown one out and put the other on my .22 rifle.

As far as the Magpul goes...I’ve used it in Precision matches for about a year now. I don’t use the pan feature, and the legs can deploy at half inch intervals but the tilt feature saves you from that time consuming bit on the clock. If you’re hunting and have time...different story (used it for both).

It doesn’t make any noise (my harris squeaks like mad...kind of sucks at 5am in the woods) you can put Atlas feet on it if you need to upgrade, and it’ll take a solid beating. The only drawback is the legs not locking at 45 or other angles. Would be a simple upgrade to their current system. I was shooting 1000yds this past weekend with it and then stacking shots on 3” circles at 500yds. If its no good for shooting, I guess I’m not doing that kind of shooting.