benjiboy 1 Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 Just getting into bipods for the x39 and want to hear your opinions...pros and cons of barrel mount versus other types of mounts? I am looking one to shoot off a bench and prone on the farm. I'm leaning barrel mount so I can swap it to my Nagant and other rifles... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 My take on the issue is that there are relatively few places to mount a bipod on an AK that are NOT considered to be a barrel mount. In other words, whether you're attaching the bipod to a handguard, with a barrel clamp, etc. it's touching the barrel and introducing some variation into the equation. Since it's an AK, I don't really believe the bipod is a serious factor when compared to the giant moving hunk of steel that is the bolt carrier assembly. If you wanted to mount a bipod to a more free-floating location, you can mount it to the forward end of the receiver. This is what a lot of PSL users do. This is a bit more complicated and doesn't make the bipod easily swappable, and interferes with magazine use. My personal preference for a bipod on a mostly stock Saiga would be to either use the bipod swivel mount, or use a handguard with a rail in order to attach a rail-mounted bipod. Both can be removed fairly quick. A clamp-on bipod really cannot, at least not without tools. I modified a spare Bulgarian AK-74 handguard to have a sling swivel stud, then used that type of bipod. It worked well. If I did it over again, I would have just purchased a railed handguard and bipod. Modding the handguard to accept the sling swivel was a PITA. Not sure how your Saiga is set up, so I included this as an option if you are using standard AK handguards. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shankspony 40 Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 I was using a barrel mounted quick detach (QD), but it didn't have a pass through for the cleaning rod. Is that a big deal? I don't know. It didn't feel "complete" to me. I removed it (it was pretty sloppy too. Now I am trying a different non-QD with a pass-through for the cleaning rod. Yes, it's heavier, but also tighter in operation. I'll try it out for a little while longer before I make a "final" decision. My experience so far with a bipod is positive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mostholycerebus 415 Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 I use the sling swivel mount. I just replaced the screw at the end of the handguard with a swivel, bipod bolts right up. Its a caldwell that I have been happy with. That was the easiest method for me, so I went with it. As mentioned, almost all of them touch the barrel, so might as well go with whats easy. If you really want accuracy you need to do a receiver mount. Dunno how much it would matter though unless you have something like a Vepr or my M-series. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjiboy 1 Posted December 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 Thanks for the replies everyone. I am not tooo concerned with accuracy...first run x39 mostly Saiga here, but want to hit at 200 yards. I could go swivel mount but ereally don't want to loose my sling mount up there; anyway around this? What should I lookout for regarding the bipod itself...any features/brands you would like to comment on and recommend (or not??) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Almost every sling swivel mount bipod will allow you to keep your sling loop there. It may be a little awkward but it will work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mostholycerebus 415 Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 I could go swivel mount but ereally don't want to loose my sling mount up there; anyway around this? Theres all kind of ways I could attach a sling to the bipod itself. Harris is the best, so they say, and what you want if you have mission critical hard every-day use. Caldwell is a respectable chinese knockoff of the Harris that is built quite well for hobbyist use. I love mine. UTG makes scrappy cheap chinese knockoff of the Harris, for use only rarely and treat with care. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjiboy 1 Posted December 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2012 I actually looked at a Caldwell today...looked pretty good. Especially for what I may actually get to use mine for. I could go swivel mount but ereally don't want to loose my sling mount up there; anyway around this? Theres all kind of ways I could attach a sling to the bipod itself. Harris is the best, so they say, and what you want if you have mission critical hard every-day use. Caldwell is a respectable chinese knockoff of the Harris that is built quite well for hobbyist use. I love mine. UTG makes scrappy cheap chinese knockoff of the Harris, for use only rarely and treat with care. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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