Bipod mounting on an AR-15 debate

Qbeam · Dec 3, 2020

Got this off a FB AR page....

The poster wants to mount a bipod on a standard non-free float AR-15 carbine length. Aside from the usual "Why the F would you want to do that..." and other douche comments, a discussion came up about barrel harmonics and mounting the bipod towards the front of the handguard would not have an effect due to the handguard not exerting enough pressure on the "thin" end cap to cause an issue.

I am pretty sure this is going to have an effect however minimal compared to mounting the bipod to the barrel directly, but wanted to throw it out there. The guy came off as a tool, but hey, always willing to learn.

Q

P.S. all my stuff is free floated so no real dog in the fight, just throwing it out for debate.

DutchV · Dec 3, 2020

I suspect it's not any worse than using a sandbag as a forward support. I've seen some decent accuracy from guns with standard handguards. It's just one part of the equation. I'd expect better stability to improve accuracy. We know using a sling improves accuracy, and at the same time does stress the barrel a bit. I'd try it and see how it goes. I bet accuracy improves.

John from MD · Dec 3, 2020

It all depends on what kind of shooting he is doing and at what distance. If he is blasting 12 inch plates at 100 yards, I say go for it as he won't notice the difference. If he is shooting Mountain Goats at 1000 yards, I say don't do it.

outrider58 · Dec 3, 2020

As long as it isn't mounted directly to the barrel(not that anyone would do that), I don't see any major issues. It's a 16" carbine for Pete's sake.

SkiPatrolDude · Dec 3, 2020

I wouldn't personally throw a bipod onto a standard m4 style rifle, but it's not a "dumb idea" per se.

I'd say a non free floated AR with a bipod could still remain "minute of groundhog" out to 200 yards or so. If he loads up on the bipod as he should, then perhaps things would degrade further.

I've def seen worse.

Qbeam · Dec 3, 2020

Lol, yeah, I know. I would think it would change the POI, but it would be consistent and likely corrected by a click of the sights. At 16 inches, the barrel stiffness would likely counter the effect.

As John said, close range, it don't really matter, longer range, it may matter depending on size of the target.

Q

Jed195 · Dec 3, 2020

I've got an NHM 91 that has a 20" barrel and a barrel mounted bipod. RPK clone of sorts. Couldn't say if it affects accuracy...haven't fired the rifle...but when I get to the range I'll shoot it with and without the bipod to see. These are said to be more accurate than standard AKs but we shall see.

smokey · Dec 3, 2020

It will have an effect on the movement of the barrel if what it's mounted to is connected to the barrel. How much it impacts accuracy depends a lot on the consistency and skill of the shooter. If similar force is applied to the barrel each shot, it may not have much impact. This is just for that one shooting position though. If you shoot from a different position, or load the bipod with different force in different directions each time, it'll have more of a effect.

Doco Overboard · Dec 3, 2020

Barrel jump, vibration and whip with recoil is something that has been taken into account since the first mass production of small arms and development on a large scale. Especially regarding the military apparatus and then the civilian marketplace.
It also coincides with cartridge development during the same period.
Bedding, tension, bearing, stress relief, regulation are some of the terms associated with the physical characteristics of firearms manufacture.

Qbeam · Dec 3, 2020

Doco Overboard said:
Barrel jump, vibration and whip with recoil is something that has been taken into account since the first mass production of small arms and development on a large scale. Especially regarding the military apparatus and then the civilian marketplace.
It also coincides with cartridge development during the same period.
Bedding, tension, bearing, stress relief, regulation are some of the terms associated with the physical characteristics of firearms manufacture.

So with design and manufacturing developments from say the M1 Garand to the AR-15, would the mounting of the bipod to the barrel and non-free floated handguard be less detrimental than doing it to an M1 Garand or M14/M1A which usually requires work to make them more accurate.

Q

Doco Overboard · Dec 3, 2020

Qbeam said:
So with design and manufacturing developments from say the M1 Garand to the AR-15, would the mounting of the bipod to the barrel and non-free floated handguard be less detrimental than doing it to an M1 Garand or M14/M1A which usually requires work to make them more accurate.

Q

I would say an AR type of rifle would be less susceptible to degraded performance with the addition of a bi-pod because its a less complex system for how the barrel components are fixed to the rifle.
Also because the action body doesn't rely on a traditional stock to control recoil forces as well as how recoil is distributed to the shooters body. The main components of the rifle are not dependent on stock bedding for repeatability. An Ar doesn't have a gas cylinder either at the end of the barrel.

The thing is, when shooting with a bi-pod from a prone or bench rested position a drastic change could occur when transitioning to a field position and the bi-pod is not used.
Im not sure how many shooters can tell a difference due to how often they make that transition because they have become used to an artificial method of support for their rifle and expend more rounds utilizing the equipment installed on their rifle to get desired results in least amount of rounds expended with or without the equipment attached.

Qbeam · Dec 3, 2020

Thanks, Doco.

It is this kind of discussion you rarely find on FB, it usually goes right into, "Shut the F up, you don't know what you're talking about".... or the usual name calling, stuff about your mom, and so on.

At least here, for the most part (with the occasional troll heckler), the discussion is more technical and example based.

Q

eruby · Dec 3, 2020

Martin Riggs approves

Doco Overboard · Dec 3, 2020

Qbeam said:
Thanks, Doco.

It is this kind of discussion you rarely find on FB, it usually goes right into, "Shut the F up, you don't know what you're talking about".... or the usual name calling, stuff about your mom, and so on.

At least here, for the most part (with the occasional troll heckler), the discussion is more technical and example based.

Q

No problem your welcome, I don't understand why folks get all rung up about certain things.
I will add that just because some gunner attaches a bi-pod to his rifle an experiences an overwhelming increase in accuracy doesn't mean its not possible, but practical experience tells me its probably more likely that another deficiency was able to be corrected with the device and the person cannot differentiate between the two differing circumstances anyhow.

outrider58 · Dec 3, 2020

eruby said:
Martin Riggs approves

M. Emmet Walsh could not be found for comment...

Bipod mounting on an AR-15 debate

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