-
Having trouble using the site?
Contact support
Best Sling Stud Bipod Money Can Buy?
- Thread starter Barn Side
- Start date
As much as they get Pooh poo’d here, Harris makes a solid bipod good for “most” applications.
Is it something that is ideal for super rugged use in a critical environment? No. But for 99 percent of recreational shooting (and that includes precision recreational shooting) it will do just fine.
Used ones (sometimes still in package) are all over eBay for $30-50 if you shop. Beware bad fakes.
Cheers!
Sirhr
Is it something that is ideal for super rugged use in a critical environment? No. But for 99 percent of recreational shooting (and that includes precision recreational shooting) it will do just fine.
Used ones (sometimes still in package) are all over eBay for $30-50 if you shop. Beware bad fakes.
Cheers!
Sirhr
Or spend big $ on the accutac conversion from sling stud to pic rail ($70 IIRC) and use any pic rail bipod ya want.
I prefer the loading of others and do still use a Harris from time to time
Strangely, I dont miss because of the Harris.
I prefer the loading of others and do still use a Harris from time to time
Strangely, I dont miss because of the Harris.
Do they make an Atlas that goes on a sling swivel stud? That's the gist of the question.
Not tried a CYKE that I know of. If they make one that goes on a sling swivel stud, I would expect it would be nice. They are pretty spendy! But if it were me and I were going to spend that Atlas/Tier-One money on a bipod, I'd just put a proper rail on and then mount that way.
Sling Swivel Stud mounts are kind of... adequate. But if you are going all out wiht bipod, stock, chassis, etc... rail is the way to go.
Cheers,
Sirhr
This, put a rail on, I'd go for an arca but a pic rail would be ok also
Why limit yourself to sling stud style? If you want to keep a stud for whatever reason, you could put on a rail like this that also has a stud. https://www.salmonriversolutions.com/product/srs-arca-pic/
Not sure what kind of stock you have, but typically all you need is a hand drill to make a second hole.
Not sure what kind of stock you have, but typically all you need is a hand drill to make a second hole.
Atlas does not (as far as I'm aware). You need a swing swivel adapter, which I've used, and it works very well. It depends on the swing swivel stud, though. If the stud is molded or otherwise part of the foundation, the adapter works awesome. If it's a bolt-on stud, in my experience it's shit, and you need an MLOK picatinny section to make the bipod nice and stable (assuming the chassis has MLOK). Otherwise, an arca rail is the best option, but the arca version of the Atlas is pricey, not to mention if you need to buy the rail and adapter. At least from what I've seen.
There is no sense in hanging a $300 (Atlas) - $800 (CKye-pod) bipod off a sling stud. The stud will far and away be the weak link.
If you want to use the stud, get a new Harris or find a used one (avoid knock-offs, even flimsier than the sling stud), replace the tension knob with a Pod-Loc, and run it.
If you want to buy a more expensive bipod, do it right and find a way to mount an ARCA or picatinney rail in place of the stud first.
If you want to use the stud, get a new Harris or find a used one (avoid knock-offs, even flimsier than the sling stud), replace the tension knob with a Pod-Loc, and run it.
If you want to buy a more expensive bipod, do it right and find a way to mount an ARCA or picatinney rail in place of the stud first.
This is what I was going to say. If you have to stick with the stud only, then Harris is going to make the most sense. It is IMPORTANT that you get the model with the notched legs for length adjustment, AND the swivel base to adjust rifle cant, AND get a Pod-Loc for it so you can have enough leverage to actually tighten the swivel (the standard thumb wheel is terrible). In this configuration it is actually a decent bipod, but it will still try to roll away from you if you try to load it on a firm flat surface due to the rotating legs.
If you want to upgrade to a better bipod (I prefer Atlas CAL, but several of the others suggested here are excellent too), it just makes more sense to upgrade the rifle to a proper Picatinny or Arca rail and use the corresponding mount for the bipod. That way you’re getting the most out of the advantages of a premium bipod and not limiting it by using a makeshift mount. And you can still have a sling stud on the rail if you have a sling.
Tier One makes an optional sling stud attachment for their tactical bipod (and maybe others).
But don’t buy their carbon fiber models as they one I had (and returned) had aluminum legs with a thin cosmetic CF tube over it. Only discovered it as the glue had failed and the tube was spinning around the leg. I returned it.
Seemed like a nice bipod, however, and the video reviews I’ve seen are positive.
Maybe they’ve changed construction? I’d check before shelling out money for their CF.
But don’t buy their carbon fiber models as they one I had (and returned) had aluminum legs with a thin cosmetic CF tube over it. Only discovered it as the glue had failed and the tube was spinning around the leg. I returned it.
Seemed like a nice bipod, however, and the video reviews I’ve seen are positive.
Maybe they’ve changed construction? I’d check before shelling out money for their CF.
The situationally funny part is by the time someone adds a pod-loc, then the talon/raptor felt, and anything else the Harris ends up being around the same as the other options.
If the sling swivel stud is mandatory only, then also vote for the notched Harris option. Now, will somewhat depend on the use/need, but if the option's available, just pay a few bucks for an ARCA rail piece and you'll get a lot more adjustability and utility.
Surprise to some, and some light CF stocks are not quite as easy to drill and mount tnuts in.
But have a secure sling stud.
A rail is my preference as well.
But that wasnt the question.
I run pic rail for bipod, short salmon river arca in back for tripod on my main hunting stock.
I havent used one, and the gunwerks bipod looks pretty dang slick for a hunting rifle.
Guys using it like it.
But have a secure sling stud.
A rail is my preference as well.
But that wasnt the question.
I run pic rail for bipod, short salmon river arca in back for tripod on my main hunting stock.
I havent used one, and the gunwerks bipod looks pretty dang slick for a hunting rifle.
Guys using it like it.
BTW, just snagged this on eBay to put on an older varmint rifle... $31. New in bag. WIth shipping... $38.
I am not sure I can get a quality non-ChiCom rail section for that.
Is it a Harris or a top quality bipod I'd stake my life or the lives of other on? Well, for decades until the advent of the Atlas and high-end bipods in the early 2000's... Harris bipods were the state of the art. As I said above, for 99 percent of applications and probably shooters, they still are perfectly usable. Even those stuck on sling swivels.
I have lots of more expensive, better, cooler, lighter, Tier-one-ier bipods. I think I got my first Atlas about 20 years ago... maybe a bit less and LOVE those guys. But Harris still has its place.
Sirhr
Correct me if I'm wrong here, but haven't more bodies been dropped from Harris bipods than likely any other brand? I would assume that would have to be the case, given the length of their history and application in military and LEO contracts. Atlas and the others have been around for a fraction of the time, so they haven't had the opportunity to catch up on the Harris body count.
Just because something works, doesn't mean it's optimal.
Toyota Corollas have driven many more miles around the globe, but I'd personally would rather be driving a Ranger Rover.
That was my thoughts also, sure it works but I'd way rather use a ckye pod for versatility.
But I also wouldn't put a ckypod on a sling stud. I'd put a rail on
True… but lots of places a Range Rover is a breakdown waiting to happen while a 1984 Corolla or POS beat-to-hell HiLux is easy to keep running, blends in and is impervious to just about anything. And when it does break some guy sitting in the dirt and using his toes as a bench vice… can make it work again.
;-)
Cheers!
WTF are you guys doing to cause a sling stud to fail on a McMillian or Manners stock?
Is this for PRS or general use?
Is this for PRS or general use?
It's probably not so much a failure as it is, shit comes loose and get's wobbly.
PRS is basically general use here.
I use my Cyke pod for matches. It's awesome for weird angles, props, and barricades. Being able to use Atlas feet sounds cool but I've never taken the spikes off.
I still use a 9-13" Harris for field work.
I have 6 Harris's (1 6-9", 5 9-13" with RRS mounts on a couple) vs 1 Ckye pod.
Every Harris is a notched leg. And I just crank the thumbscrew up with a Leatherman until it takes a good amount of force to cant it. (I think most complaints are caused by a lose thumb screw letting it feel sloppy).
Don't buy a cheap copy. I was dumb and broke and wasted money on Caldwell and Blackhawk bipods that didn't last a weekend before falling apart.
If you’re willing to use a sling stud to pic rail adapter, I just got this one from atlas and I’m pretty impressed. More solid and built better the Caldwell adapter I also own.
accu-shot.com
It attaches differently than the Caldwell. Uses an inclined ramp method that seems pretty darn solid.
This way you can use any pic rail bipod. It’s nice, short, and unusually low-profile compared to the Caldwell and Warne type too.
BT81: Lil' Brandi Sling Stud to Picatinny Rail Adapter | B&T Industries
Shop and configure a BT81: Lil' Brandi Sling Stud to Picatinny Rail Adapter from B&T Industries.
accu-shot.com
It attaches differently than the Caldwell. Uses an inclined ramp method that seems pretty darn solid.
This way you can use any pic rail bipod. It’s nice, short, and unusually low-profile compared to the Caldwell and Warne type too.
