Whether it’s a tactical rifle bipod or just a general use rifle bipod, it’s one of the shooting accessories you really need to have. They’re even good for the bolt-action guys; plenty of bipods will work with a swivel stud (make sure you practice off-hand, though!) and let you get that deer rifle dialed in.
What makes for the best AR-15 bipod? As with anything, “best” is subjective (except in some cases; blue cheese is objectively better with wings than ranch dressing and everyone knows it) but there are a few things you should look for.
Adjustable legs, rubber feet and heavy-duty construction are definitely a plus. If your rifle has a rail, the bipod you buy should include a Picatinny mount. However, it’s a good idea to buy one that can be mounted on a rail mount or swivel. That makes for a more versatile accessory that can be used on your hunting rifle with a sling swivel stud mount.
Additionally, consider what you’ll use it for. If this is for a hunting rifle, you’ll want a lightweight bipod. You should be able to level it for use in almost any shooting position including uneven terrain. If just for target shooting, get one that’s heavier. You’re only lugging it from the car to the bench; who cares? Feet on bipods bound for the bench need to be a little rougher so they don’t slip on smoother surfaces. Interchangeable feet, therefore, are also a good feature.
With that said, here are 5 solid picks.
For the budget-minded, look at the Ohuhu Tactical Rifle Bipod. For the princely sum of $16.95 on Amazon (Prime eligible, BTW) you get a steel/aluminum bipod. It works with swivel studs, and includes a rail adapter.
Rubber feet, adjustable legs, and spring tension control. It has a black anodized finish, and adjusts from 6 inches to 9 inches in height. The only features it lacks is there’s no tilt feature for leveling. You’ll have to do that by adjusting the legs. But for $17….
Another good budget option is a Leapers UTG Tactical OP Bipod series. There are several models, each with a different range of adjustable length. Each adjusts two to three inches; you can choose a 5.9-, 6.1-, 8.0- and 8.3-inch base heights. They all work with Picatinny rails and swivel studs. Their Super Duty Bi-pod is dual mounting, working with both sling swivels and Pic rails. It has a quick detach QD lever for easy on/off when rail mounting. Price is about twice that of the bargain bipods ($49) but they’re quality options
A standard-bearer for this product segment is Harris Engineering. They make a good range of well-made, durable bipods to fit many different tastes. Their entry-level solid-base model – the Harris Engineering 1A2-BRM model – actually has a lot going on for it at just under $70 at Amazon.
If you don’t mind dropping another $20, go for the S-BRM Hinged Base 6-9 Inch model. It has extendable legs with four height settings, spring-assist opening and closing, with hard rubber feet. The base model works with sling swivels (you’ll need an adapter for rail mounting, sold separately) but the party piece is that the hinged base plate. This allows you to compensate for uneven ground, making it tactical AND practical for any environment.
A newer option is the first bipod from AR magazine and furniture (and a lot more) maker Magpul. It’s made of anodized aluminum and has three mounting options; Pic rail, M-LOK and ARMS 17s. If you’re looking for a bipod that will work with sling swivels, this isn’t the one for you. The Magpul bipod is light weight at only 11 oz. and is designed for easy one-handed adjustment. Price at Amazon is $105.
However, some people want the best and don’t care about price. For that sort, get an Accu-Shot Atlas BiPod. Practical, tactical and mil-spec, these are investment pieces that you’ll have for years. Atlas BiPods pivot and cant, allowing you to get the perfect shot on any terrain. All models have swappable feet, with spikes, rubber feet, claw feet and more for the choosing The features such as height adjustment vary by make and model, as does the price. Entry level models, such as the BT10 V8 Atlas Bipod, start at $220 and go up to $449.95 for the 5-H Atlas model.
Which one should you get? Depends on what you’re looking for. If you just want a good bipod and get to using it, the budget models (Ohuhu, Leapers UTG) are good starting points. Harris makes great workhorse bipods, maybe not the most advanced, but darned if they won’t work. And the Magpul has become very popular very quickly. If you demand nothing but the best, Atlas is the way to go.
Is there a different model you prefer (there always is)? Sound off in the comments!
There’s also one that is a grip with the bipod that snaps out of the bottom. Can’t remember the name of it but I like it on my S&W 15-22. Been rough with it and it hasn’t broke yet.
Grip pod I believe. Don’t know if they still are but at for a time they were issued in the army. They’re good for what they were designed for. However, be careful playing with them as the bi pods do shoot out the bottom with significant force. I once watched a guy, while carrying his rifle, hit the button and smack himself square in the nuts with the bi pod.
What, No Elite Iron Bipod? Simply the best.
And give Magpul it’s due. You talk as if it’s just another also-ran. No, the Magpul is a real game changer.
http://professorprepper.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-magical-magpul-bipod.html?m=1
Looks like the author is nothing more than a keyboard commando who spends his range time on amazon.com.
The Magpul bipod does have aluminum in it. All the parts that are not polymer or steel, in fact. But to just say anodized aluminimum as the author does is a major shortcoming in research. That’s like saying a PMAG is steel because of the spring.
And then to dismiss it because it doesn’t come from the factory with a sling stud mount is just outrageous. There is 100% no point to this article except missing information and misleading hollow commentary.
How about some standards guys? Geez.
+1 The Grip Pod is by far the best option for tactical applications. Just be sure to get the one with aluminum feet. The plastic feet tent to break with much use.
I use the UTG bipods with QD pic-rail attachment. They work great and don’t cost a fortune
Buy a real Harris or real Atlas, if you buy a knock off you’re only getting a bipod shaped object.
My favorite bipod:
https://www.bt-ag.ch/shop/eng/zweibeine/bt-bipod-with-nar-adaptor
Pivots, cants, has a quick detach, and is very light. Too bad they didn’t market them better.
Pointer to a US distributor? A quick search suggests they make the Atlas bipods, fwiw, but no US source for the bipod you linked to.
It showed in some stores for a short while several years ago, and hasn’t been back for whatever reason. I think people poo’d it for being polymer/plastic and overly expensive, but I thought it was well ahead of it’s time. I sadly only bought one.
I uses a ruck or two branches in winter ski poles.😉
Please, stop linking to Amazon for prices. Link to Brownells, Midway USA, or any of the other hundreds of businesses that respect and fight for the second amendment. Your recent articles are click bait copy and pastes from Amazon item searches.
YES dittos. Amazon as noxious as the chicoms, fakebook and twits. Screw Bozos and the horse he rode in on.
LIST THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN of things reviewed. There is NO excuse for buying
firearms/accessories from Chicomland/the PLA. You give your $ to the DNC?
I’ll go X3 on “what ^^ he ^^ said”.
I have three Harris bipods and won t buy anything else. Quality performance and durability.
You left out 2 really important points in this review:
1) Can the bipod pan? If it can’t pan then I can’t track a moving target with it.
2) Can I adjust for cant. Unless I’m at the range or in a building, I probably don’t have a level surface to shoot from.
Best,
DJ
Guess when you say leveling you meant cant. No edit.
Atlas or bust.
More reviews, less listicles, please. I know, listicles are quick to write and you need content, but your logs should make it clear that reviews are the most-visited content on the site, and a good review remains current until the product is updated (…and remains relevant to people buying used).
Thanks.
Give GG&G some love. Since the review “5 best Bipods” is, at best, arbitrary. Start out with a $17 and end a few later with something that almost clears $450. Might want to set some categorical thresholds…you know, like for price points, features, construction.
You know, like OBJECTIVE comparisons.
I really like the Accu-Tac products Solid attractive and reliable.
http://www.accu-tac.com/bipods
Versa-pod should have got some love here. Cheaper than atlas , better than Harris.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/versa-pod-bipods.html
A bipod for less than fifty bucks? I’ve seen cheap bipods with so much flex in the legs that a five year old could bend them. Also one that would not attach to the sling swivel stud.
Unless one is playing with an airsoft toy, stay away from cheap stuff.
Better to buy once/cry once!
Don’t take an atlas where there is sand and you intend to be in and out of the dirt, eventually it becomes unusable as sand particles jam the adjustment mechanism. At that point all it becomes is a heavy hindrance on the end of your rifle.
Atlas is easily cleaned and lubed. No matter the gear you gotta keep it clean to keep it capable of your objective! If your not capable of doing the PMS, don’t buy and or utilize the product.
Gulf War/Kuwaite Freedom/Afghanistan
Been there,
It’s way too late to be complaining about country of origin when they’ve been making GM’s in China since 2012. Literally printed on the window stickers for those who look. Just like the cell phones and laptops most of us use.
As some of you dive deeper into the world of manufacturing, you’ll discover that almost every nut, bolt and screw in the hardware store is also Chinese, and that American brands send the blueprints to China for manufacture and are just a marketing company in the US.
Which goes to the Chinese outdoor products show is where a lot get their “new” products on an exclusive – which is why there seem to be identical products showing up on the Chinese internet marketers almost simultaneously. When they need to say Made in the USA then they just assemble them here – a couple of US branded and roll marked Made in the US 1911’s are done that way, with just the trademark custom touches done here after the Turkish makers sends them almost finished.
Worry about the quality of what you get and if it works – you still get what you pay for. But, knowing that, you can get it for half – or less – if you do your homework. Are you cheating an American out of their job, no, not so much since it’s the same worker in China who made either of them.
Case in point, just bought a Hisense frig, compared it to Samsung and another “US” brand, takes the same water filter, has nearly identical features (Samsung didnt include the internal water dispenser) and you pay $500 more because they are sold at Lowe’s – next to the Hisense who made them.
I got mine from a scratch and dent dealer for 50% off. It is VERY much like that in the firearms accessories industry – like the Leupold 8×40 binos which they list are Chinese.
You are much better off to search for what features you need, find the products, and then narrow it to the few who can supply it without trying to waste time saving an American economy that was subverted in the 1990’s – I got to watch Stanley, Schlage, and dozens of others bail out then while most Americans never paid attention. You can buy potato chips here, but when it comes to hardware, there less than 10% of real manufacturing left.
Welcome to the party, pals.
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