I just acquired a TRG bipod. I've read that these lock when they are loaded, but I can't seem to get it to do so. Am I mistaken, or?
Sako TRG Bipod Question
- Thread starter Bloodstriker
- Start date
I'm not sure what you're asking. The bipod is deployed by pulling each leg towards the muzzle and then down until the leg locks. There is a certain amount of play inherent in the design but by moving into the gun you take up the play and "load" the bipod. When you pull the leg towards the muzzle a fair amount of force is required to overcome the spring in each leg before it will rotate to the down position.
Sorry. I should have been more clear. I'll try to rephrase.
It seems like the bipod's swivel movement is fairly loose. I've read other comments previously about how once the bipod is loaded, the swivel locks up. However, I just tried it and it doesn't seem to do so. Looking at the mechanics, I can't see how the loading of the bipod would prevent it from swivelling as they operate on two different joints/parts.
I was just wondering if I was misunderstanding what I read before?
Atlas and Harris bipods allow adjustment of tension on panning (right to left) and fore and aft movement. Not sure about TRG system, since I don't have one, but should have something similar. "Loading the bipod" refers to leaning forward into the gun to stabilize the gun so that it doesn't hop and slide to the left when the rifle is fired. You'll have to try it to get the correct tension and feel for your specific rifle.
With the feet on a surface that they can grab: grass, dirt, ect... you push forward on the butt of the rifle and the bipod will lock up in the position it is in. It does not take much pressure for them to lock up and become very stable. One of the best designs ever IMO, I wish I could use them on all my rifles.
Okay, I'll try again. The Harris swivel bipod does not swivel on a horizontal axis. The axis of the swivel allows you to adjust the cant of the rifle. The accessory Pod-Loc allows the shooter to adjust the tension of the rotational axis. The Harris is not adjustable left to right or up or down. Up or down is controlled by the elevation or declination of the butt. Left and right is controlled by repositioning the bipod to realize an NPA. The shooter can create a small amount of twist without any repositioning of the bipod but in that case you are inducing stresses that destroy an NPA. The Sako operates in much the same manner. If you look at the attachment of the tongue of the bipod to the bipod you will see there is allowance for a small rotational axis. As with the Harris this allows for a small adjustment for the cant of the rifle. Both bipods are loaded in the same manner.
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I'm referring to jbell's post above. He mentioned that once the TRG bipod is loaded, it locks from moving. I'm not not talking about up/down left/right.
The only thing is that I can't seem to replicate what he's saying.
I'll take a stab at answering your question.
I have the Sako bipod on both my TRG22 and 42. Like JBell stated earlier these have become my favorite bipod out there and if I could use them on my other rigs I would. It should be said that the bipod doesn't actually "lock" when you forward load it, rather stiffens up. There is a large degree of slop in these bipods that allow you to pan, tilt, and rotate to some degree in the shooting position. When you have aquired your sight picture and begin to forward load the bipod the loosness begins to disappear and the bipod firms up significantly essentially "locking" in your hold. The more you load it the more rock steady it becomes.
I have the Sako bipod on both my TRG22 and 42. Like JBell stated earlier these have become my favorite bipod out there and if I could use them on my other rigs I would. It should be said that the bipod doesn't actually "lock" when you forward load it, rather stiffens up. There is a large degree of slop in these bipods that allow you to pan, tilt, and rotate to some degree in the shooting position. When you have aquired your sight picture and begin to forward load the bipod the loosness begins to disappear and the bipod firms up significantly essentially "locking" in your hold. The more you load it the more rock steady it becomes.
Thanks Marcoman. That makes sense. I thought there would be a point where the bipod suddenly doesn't allow movement. I'll try loading it with more pressure to see if it stiffens up. The only thing I noticed is that the swivel is very loose. I can cant the rifle with the minuscule pressure. Even when the bipod legs aren't deployed (I don't mean not extended. I mean not folded out, it still sort of flops around (cant wise).
Anyways, thanks everyone for helping.
Marco's got it. As long as the feet of the bipod hold the bipod will resist the forward movement thereby creating a dynamic tension that stabilizes the entire system.
You'll find that forward pressure will firm up the canting as well. These bipods work excellent when shooting prone from the ground because the feet can dig/grab, but not as well from a flat surfaced bench, etc where the feet cant gain traction.
That makes sense. I'll also try to I ring mod just to make it stiffer. Does tightening the screw/bolt help?
You'll probably find it's as tight as its going yo get in its current state. It's just a different design that will take some getting used to coming off a harris/whatever. Once you get used to it you'll really like it.
I'm coming from a TRG 21 bipod actually. The two are very different. The 21 attaches to the rifle in the same manner. However, it doesnt "craddle" the rifle. Also, it has spikes instead of sleds. I really like how easy it is for the 21 to deploy - squeeze and pull into position. Way faster than a Harris. The swivel is tighter than the 22.
The 22'a main advantage is its lower centre for gravity.
I'm trying to figure out which I like better.
Bloodstriker,
I may be incorrect but the TRG 21 and the TRG 22 bipods are the same in how they attach, deploy, and extend. Where they differ is in the angle of the legs. The "original" or TRG 21 bipod legs provide a wider base than the TRG 22 but also when folded allow the feet to rub on the stock or the barrel. It sounds to me like what you are describing is a Parker Hale or AI style bipod which is a totally different animal. You deploy the PH/AI by squeezing the legs together and then bringing them down. The PH/AI bipod will not lock when loaded like the TRG 21 or 22. Please post a pic of your bipod and we can nail this down in a second...
However if you have a TRG 21 bipod and would like the 22 I would be more than happy to trade with ya ; )
I may be incorrect but the TRG 21 and the TRG 22 bipods are the same in how they attach, deploy, and extend. Where they differ is in the angle of the legs. The "original" or TRG 21 bipod legs provide a wider base than the TRG 22 but also when folded allow the feet to rub on the stock or the barrel. It sounds to me like what you are describing is a Parker Hale or AI style bipod which is a totally different animal. You deploy the PH/AI by squeezing the legs together and then bringing them down. The PH/AI bipod will not lock when loaded like the TRG 21 or 22. Please post a pic of your bipod and we can nail this down in a second...
However if you have a TRG 21 bipod and would like the 22 I would be more than happy to trade with ya ; )
Oh 1 more thing, they 21 does cradle the rifle the same as the 22. One more reason why I am thinking you have a PH/AI.
Hmm.. It looks like the bipod was purpose designed for the TRG. Here's some pics. Can anyone can confirm what it is?
The part that attaches to the rifle
Is identical to the newer bipod I have.
The part that attaches to the rifle
Is identical to the newer bipod I have.
That is Sako's very first version of their proprietary bipod even before the wide-stance bipod JBell is referring to.
These were first gen bipods found on TRG21/41's.
Damn that is cool! However that being said I would get a current model they are all that and then some. Just my .02
