Bipod or No Bipod [Archive]

billdncn

March 16, 2012, 19:32

STG58 (DSA) 21" barrel..........

Love the traditional look and I use it sometimes of the bench and when shooting prone.
For offhand shooting though, it's a little bulky and added weight on the front end of an already heavy battle rifle.
I removed it (along with the sling swivels) and saved 15ozs. Much nicer handling and feel but darn, I sure like the bipod.

Who has kept or removed there's and why?

Thanks

Olaf

March 16, 2012, 19:57

I think its a matter of preference, I will never use one so I took it off, but if you use it...to each his own

skeeterbay

March 16, 2012, 19:59

I have other Fal's so I left the bipod on my STG. If it was my only one I might think about removing it, but to be honest I really don't notice that it's on there most of the time. I have a scoped Imbel with a DSA mount and Warn steel rings that makes the STG seem light and nimble. I guess I would have to carry the STG around in the woods for a week and see if it got hung up on brush before I decided.

4x401

March 16, 2012, 20:20

I have the `pod on my Stg-58.
I had one on my 16" Stg Para but took it off. Handles better without it.

countrykid

March 16, 2012, 20:25

I left them on my scoped STG. , none on the unscoped FN. Significant difference in weight and handling. The FN is the grab-n-go.

slade797

March 16, 2012, 20:27

My G1 started life with a bipod, and I removed it when I built the rifle. Think is, I put a DSA scope mount on it, and I have a Bushnell 12x scope in the works, so I traded for a very nice kickstand and mounted it up. The scope will be mounted on a QD riser, so it will stall have that .... "tactical" application.

When you think about the weight of the rifle, just imagine being one of those SAS guys lugging it around, without even a sling!

bozzman3

March 17, 2012, 20:05

I found when shooting mine without the bipod the hand guards got real hot to hold but with the bipod closed helped with the heat

slade797

March 17, 2012, 20:13

I found when shooting mine without the bipod the hand guards got real hot to hold but with the bipod closed helped with the heat

Kinda like a heat sink, maybe....

billdncn

March 18, 2012, 03:10

I found when shooting mine without the bipod the hand guards got real hot to hold but with the bipod closed helped with the heat

Interesting. What type handguards? Metal?

Thanks

billdncn

March 18, 2012, 04:30

I read (forgot the Topic) that someone removed his bipod and started getting vertical stringing of groups. Reinstalled it and the groups tightened back up.

I've heard that using the bipod can effect POI. What about using a sling for stability. Does that also apply unwanted pressure on the barrel and can it too effect POI?

olgier

March 18, 2012, 08:25

had a DSA QD bipod on my 18" STG. I don't keep it on it, but it goes on and off pretty quick if I decide I need it.

bozzman3

March 18, 2012, 09:44

Kinda like a heat sink, maybe....

Yep thats correct.My handguards are the metal Stg style

March 18, 2012, 10:53

Wear a glove on your supporting hand then.

slade797

March 18, 2012, 11:00

Dougw4

March 18, 2012, 11:24

Left mine on my STG, love the look but dont use it cept for a kickstand. Rather set it down on the pod as lay it on the ground

bbqncigars

March 18, 2012, 15:04

I left them on my STG, but found that accuracy is better if I don't use the bipod off the bench. It might shoot better prone (my fifty does, anyway), but I usually shoot from the bench.

ncjeeper

March 19, 2012, 00:18

On.

MistWolf

March 19, 2012, 01:25

Wear a glove on your supporting hand then.

Bite your tongue! A true FALfiler never stoops to using a glove!

Nothing less than an authentic Chicken Mitt will do
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk296/kfranz25/chickenmitt.jpg

Here is my StG58 before, with kickstand and purse handle installed
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n289/SgtSongDog/STGIII.jpg
Looks cool on display, increases intimidation factor and makes for awesome photos. It's a good rifle but with the bipod & carry handle, it felt heavy and dead when switching from target to target.

Here is my FAL after removing the kickstand and purse handle. Can't set it up for display and it's more difficult to set up for photos
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n289/SgtSongDog/StG58/StG58002.jpg
But it's lighter and feels much livelier in the hands. It comes to the shoulder quickly and naturally and has become a real joy to shoot. Removing them made a good rifle even better.

Controlled pair with the StG58
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n289/SgtSongDog/StG58/DSC_0208.jpg

If you really want to know if you should remove the bipod or not, go shoot the rifle both ways and see which configuration you like best. I did. I don't miss the bipod at all. Might even put it up for sale to help raise funds for a trip to Santiago Chile later this year. Go shoot your rifle then come back & tell us which way you like it better

billdncn

March 19, 2012, 03:25

Here is my FAL after removing the kickstand and purse handle. Can't set it up for display and it's more difficult to set up for photos
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n289/SgtSongDog/StG58/StG58002.jpg
But it's lighter and feels much livelier in the hands. It comes to the shoulder quickly and naturally and has become a real joy to shoot. Removing them made a good rifle even better.

Thanks MistWolf, looks good to me. Mine's off for now and your correct, I need to get to the range this week

Knifeman

March 20, 2012, 03:19

I took mine off. It changed the point of impact too much.

kopcicle

March 24, 2012, 00:22

In answer to the one question , Sling wrapped into the weapon with a stock countour barrel there will be some POI inconsistancies . With the medium and heavy barrel , not so much .
Off the bench w// bipod it was all over the place . Off the bags it was fine . Prone w/ bipod It didn't seem to matter one way or the other . Off hand I could do w/o the weight . I regularly shoot a 21" STG stock countour w/ bipod , a 21" Med countour Para w/o and a 50.63 with ...

Some days it works some days it don't . I might take one into the field but at the range and off hand it's a bother . The STG version just sux , or I do . I'm actually at my best with the full length rifle from classic sitting position so go figure .
~kop

billdncn

March 24, 2012, 06:14

Thanks Kopcicle.

Tankdriver

March 24, 2012, 18:21

I left mine on......

I like them original.

falloco

March 24, 2012, 19:32

I use the bipod so that I don´t burn my hand on the hot metal hand guard. Rifle too heavy because of the extra weight of the bipod?..I use the bipod and I don´t feel the weight of the rifle.

Anubis

March 24, 2012, 20:41

+1

I keep the bipod on my G1 Sporter. I don't mind the little bit of extra weight, it does helps reduce the recoil just a bit, gives extra grip area for my hands, and well, hey....it just looks so cool!

billdncn

March 25, 2012, 05:08

Thanks to all. It looks like "bipod on" has a slight edge. To the people that have some FAL's with and some w/o... :bow:

gunplumber

March 25, 2012, 09:49

If you are shooting from a defensive position where you have sit behind the rifle for hours on end, a bipod may be useful. I took mine off. The extra forward weight makes for slower handling, and front heavy. Shooting off my ruck is more accurate anyway.

Ditch it.

And the gay carry handle if you haven't already.

My "ideal"

17.3" metric with std combo
carry handle slot filled
NBC handguards.
oversize mag catch
oversize selector
DSA scope mount
2 point sling - top mounted.

EMSflyer

March 25, 2012, 09:56

My Imbel bipod lives in a box in the closet.

Took it off and like it better without.

My FAL became a Para since then and I removed the carry handle as well.

hellfish

March 25, 2012, 10:10

I removed mine, don't like the extra weight.

jugrunner

March 28, 2012, 12:10

damn ... how big are you guys ... ??? ... can't handle the weight ... ???

go buy yourself an AR15 ... jeeeeeeeeeezzzzz ... :rolleyes:

I add weight to mine ... shoots better !!

MistWolf

March 28, 2012, 13:41

So you'll be adding rails with flashlight, VFG, can opener, ice chest with a case of beer inside and a folding chair to your FAL for the extra weight to make it shoot even better? :D

Just because I can handle the weight doesn't mean I have to. My FAL weighs less, handles better and is more enjoyable to shoot without the kick stand and purse handle. The added bonus is I can sell them in the MP and buy more ammo and another magazine

jugrunner

March 28, 2012, 17:33

BIG50

March 28, 2012, 20:18

damn ... how big are you guys ... ??? ... can't handle the weight ... ???

go buy yourself an AR15 ... jeeeeeeeeeezzzzz ... :rolleyes:

I add weight to mine ... shoots better !!

what Jug says.
I like the extra weight.
hell most of the time when I go shooting my Barret M99 50BMg ( 38 LBS ) I shoot it off hand instead on the bench rest now that is some weight to be standing and shooting.
it makes those little FN FAL'S and G'3 feel lighter than an AR15 :rolleyes:
what can I say I like to abuse myself.
BIG50

MistWolf

March 29, 2012, 04:08

The bipod came with the rifle which was a DSA STG58. Bipod still looks new. I'll have to see what I did with the purse handle. How much are they going for anyway?

jugrunner

March 29, 2012, 16:32

The bipod came with the rifle which was a DSA STG58. Bipod still looks new. I'll have to see what I did with the purse handle. How much are they going for anyway?

hell ... with the low regard they garner, I'd say $35.00 shipped, for both, would be fair ... :wink:

I might go higher ...

Hey, I've got some Nam era LC/WCC mixed ammo ... I'd do a trade ... it splits about 1 case in 20 ... burns slits up the sides of some ... everybody said it was Ok but I won't be responsible for it ... :biggrin:

jugrunner

March 29, 2012, 16:40

what Jug says.
I like the extra weight.
hell most of the time when I go shooting my Barret M99 50BMg ( 38 LBS ) I shoot it off hand instead on the bench rest now that is some weight to be standing and shooting.
it makes those little FN FAL'S and G'3 feel lighter than an AR15 :rolleyes:
what can I say I like to abuse myself.
BIG50

I'm seriously adding about 2 lbs of lead shot, mixed with epoxy, to my Steyr butt stock ... I shoot off the bags mostly and the weight helps to stabilize ... helps my shoulder too ... I usually shoot half the day when I go to the range ... not a lot of rounds ... I go to hit the "Gong" at 350 yds ... that's all !! ... still waiting on the owner to cut the 600 yd shot ... :confused:

On occasion, I'll hit the pistol range with my HS Supermatic ... just so's my wife can smoke my ass with her's ... :uhoh:

gobbler

March 29, 2012, 16:46

It is handy with my new drum......drum runs like a charm by the way.

gobbler

jugrunner

March 29, 2012, 16:52

It is handy with my new drum......drum runs like a charm by the way.

gobbler

pics or it didn't happen ...

just sayin' ...