Harris Bipods
EX_STAB in the comments section yesterday opined on "what is wrong with Harris bipods?"
1) The attachment to the rifle is insecure and insufficient.
2) The bipod is difficult and extremely time consuming to attach to the rifle.
3) The bipod is extremely difficult and fiddly to detach from the rifle.
4) The bipod is noisy to deploy
5) The bipod can be noisy to fold.
6) The bipod is of a construction that is inclined to snag on vegetation etc and due to the exposed springs is especially noisy when this occurs.
7) The feet of the standard bipod do not provide a good grip in turf, vegetation or aggregate - they are only suitable for shooting from a bench.
8) The leg adjustment is difficult, insecure and because most models offer no tilt arrangement, requires an excessive amount of time to level the rifle.
9) Most models offer no tilt facility.
10) A pan facility is not available - panning the rifle on the bipod induces a side load that adversely affects consistency and henceforth accuracy.
11) The bipod does not provide sufficient stiffness to allow the user to lean into the bipod for stability - it is inclined to fold and collapse if this is tried. This problem can be obviated by arranging the bipod such that the legs are folded forwards but this in turn brings its own problems in terms of snagging or collecting vegetation.
12) When folded the bipod offers numerous snagging points and is generally clumsy and awkward to have affixed to the rifle when not in use. The external springs generate noise when touched or knocked. Unlike other bipods, it is likely to remain affixed to the rifle when not in use because of the difficulty encountered in fixing or removing it so these deficiencies are aggravated.
13) To summarise - it's a pile of sh1te.
Just buy a Parker Hale (Not the nasty Versapod copy) and leave your worries behind.
Of course if you buy the TRG, its dedicated bipod is superb.
I currently have 2 Harris bipods: one is fitted to my Remington, the other to one of my Ruger 1022s & I find them OK. Therefore as a partial observer on this, I shall take the 5th & leave it to you all to decide if EX_STAB has a point
Comments
Actually I was waiting for the punchline that said: "Thanks to an undisclosed donation to party funds, the British MOD has just added the manufacturer's name to the list of approved sole suppliers and ordered 1,000,000 of the things."
Posted by: The Remittance Man | January 29, 2008 4:34 PM
Think the Harris is bad you should try the standard one for a stealth air rifle. I can't use mine one of the feet fell off!
Welcome back Mr Freemarket did you bring us all a present?
Posted by: Ghostrifle | January 29, 2008 9:23 PM
I like my Harris. It is solid and strong and worth the tips of your fingers if you close it carelessly.
http://www.handgunowner.com/blog/images/table_ar.jpg
Posted by: trainer | January 30, 2008 3:18 AM
They have their uses, mine I only use for shooting off the roof of the pick up truck, if you need a bipod then you need pokey drill!
Posted by: TimC | January 30, 2008 12:17 PM
$300+ for a Parker-Hale bipod is just too highspeed-lowdrag for me.
Although now that those words have come off of my keyboard, I'll probably go out and buy one ...
Posted by: Kristopher | January 30, 2008 4:52 PM
Five letters: H-E-A-V-Y.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | January 30, 2008 5:06 PM
I've just brought this to the attention of Mrs EX_STAB. Her opinion on the Harris Bipod?
"It's the sort of thing my mother's bicycle had as a kick down stand. You wouldn't trust the bike not to fall over though."
Posted by: EX_STAB | January 31, 2008 12:04 AM
I have just checked &
www.Ihateharrisbipods.blogspot.com is available.
You can register for free & have your new blog up & running in 30 mins or so.
(ducks)
Posted by: Mr Free Market | January 31, 2008 12:27 AM