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Atlas or Harris bipod?

clrems77

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 27, 2013
541
32
Orange County Ca
Just got my new AI AE Mk3. I've figured out which scope to get and I'm working on the bipod. What do you guys think? Is the Atlas worth the $300?
 
I just broke my second Atlas. Snapped the pivot bolt right off. Let me get repair parts and get it fixed and I will make you a deal so I can buy 2 more Harris'.

Glad it happened at my kitchen table rather than a match.
 
And I've just done this to my second Harris. And it happened in the field both times. So....

tripod_zpsafd40dac.jpg
 
never seen that….interesting enough. My Atlas has been in 2 matches. I can buy 3 Harris' for the money.

Some people like the atlas. Some don't. I tried.
 
Yeah. Agreed. But Harris' aren't indestructible. Easier to swallow though if I have to eat the cost.
 
To my mind, if you are a serious bi- pod loader, get the Atlas. If you need fast deployment over loading, get the Harris.

There is no right. And Lowlight can load a Harris. He calls it knuckling.

Not my scene.

TTR
 
I've use Harris in the sand box and at home, they work great and I never had an issue with them or loading the bipods unless on a bench. Never used an atlas so I have no input with that one.
 
Just got my new AI AE Mk3. I've figured out which scope to get and I'm working on the bipod. What do you guys think? Is the Atlas worth the $300?

A friend of mine is a firearms instructor on staff for a local pd. He is also an all-around gun nut. When I was getting ready to buy my first bipod I asked his opinion and he swore by Harris. I listened to him and have zero regrets. For me it's always not "which bipod" but "which Harris" but of course just like everything in life ymmv...

Cheers...
 
I have both the Harris and the Atlas. I prefer the Atlas. You won't go wrong picking one up. I picked my up at Mile High Shooting. They were the only ones that had them in stock at that time...
 
I've had many Harris. Always very happy with them.

I had the $$$ for this build, so I got an Atlas. They are nice. Not sure they are worth the price....unless my life depended on it.

That said, EVERYTHING breaks.
 
Well, this one comes around pretty regular. Harris or Atlas? I have owned two Atlas bipods and I have sold two Atlas bipods. I have five Harris bipods and would likely buy another. I only buy the swivel, notched models though and they all have a PodLoc.
Every time I shot with the Atlas on I always wound up changing over to the Harris before my range session was finished. I have used them for so long that anything else feels wrong.
Have I broken one? Not really but I did loose a nut off a leg. It was easily replaced with one out of my nuts & bolts can.
 
Wow..thanks guys! I've been using Harris bipods for years now on my other rifles, but thought I'd consider an Atlas since that seems to be common amongst the AI users. Looks like the Harris is the way to go!
 
I use my Harris in matches and my atlas for leisure prone shooting...

Atlas is nice for pre loading, traversing and canting abilities but it's slow to deploy and when you have a par time on the course, speed is your friend.

both are great products but I'd go with a Harris (notched/swivel combo) first... if you want more sell it (b/c they sell like crack around here) and buy your atlas.... Trail and error brother... or just buy both and see what all the hype is about:)
 
Just courious, No One likes the GG&G bipod? I have one on my TRG and am very happy with it.
 
I have shot 4 deer with the Atlas and I have shot 15 deer with various Harris bipods.

I now like the [h=1]Harris Engineering Bipod Rotating Black Leg Notch 9"-13" SLM[/h] the best.
 
I have probably 8 Harris's and 0 atlas

I have been tempted to try one, but after handiling them I didn't find the features were 200$ greater then the Harris.

Truth is the atlas probably has something special to offer, but I have had such good luck with the Harris it's hard to change
 
I prefer Atlas because of how they load on any surface. I'm surprise folks have broken them before.
 
I've always been a fan of Harris bipods. Liked them even better than the $200+ factory bipod I used to have on my TRG-22 before I sold it.
 
I run Harris units since they are cheaper and have held up well to my abuse. The Atlas bipods are very nice and well made but not worth the additional costs IMO.
 
Just courious, No One likes the GG&G bipod? I have one on my TRG and am very happy with it.

I have two of them. They don't have the versatility of the Atlas, but they are very well built IMO. Harris' are great bipods for the money, they are just so damn ugly.
 
I have two of them. They don't have the versatility of the Atlas, but they are very well built IMO. Harris' are great bipods for the money, they are just so damn ugly.

I agree. I've got both, but when it came time to set up my TRG, I just couldn't bear to hang the screen door springs off the stock.
 
This is not a choice between two evils, of all the gear I run, the Harris and Atlas are the LEAST of my problems.

As an engineer I must say the Atlas looks better built and designed.
But the Harris swivel is much better than it looks.
The Chinese imitations of the Harris look the same, but they are junk.
The Harris works so well, there must be subtle things they have worked into the design and manufature that escape my shallow gaze.
 
I have both and maintain both. I ran Harris for years and then picked up my Atlas when I moved to the AICS stock. I now switch back and fourth, more on whim, trying to make up my mind on what way to go for the rest of my rifles. I slightly prefer the Atlas over the Harris, not by a huge margin, but enough for me to justify the extra cost. However, if money is an issue and you have less disposable income then stick to the Harris "S" series and don't look back. What I like about the Atlas over the Harris is the position of the legs. I like to get low when I shoot and the forward position of the Atlas allows me to get a very low position. A few times I have deployed on very uneven ground and needed to use the independent legs to get into position so that is also a plus. As far as quality, I call it a wash. Sure gear breaks, fact of life, but there is nothing to indicate a flaw in either design and I am sure you could field 1000 of each and 20 would break under some condition or another. So if you already run a Harris then use it till it breaks and then try the Atlas and if you don't like it you can flip it here on the hide. I just see no reason to see off what your using to try the Atlas, unless of course you can afford it. In the the case of the OP if your buying from scratch I would say the Harris and that is because in the opining post you brought up the cost. Had you said that "money is no object" then by all means go with the Atlas.

Sully
 
I have and use both but the Harris bipods get more use. I like that the Atlas pans and that it loads a little easier. The 45 degree legs also come in handy from time to time as does the legs folding both ways for storage.

I hate how fucking tight they are though. That's my number one gripe. I have one I've been dicking with for a year thinking it may loosen up with use, it hasn't happened. To pan the legs have to be up against something for the feet to not scoot and even then its stiff. When I'm canting the rifle to get it level the legs often lift up even if I am holding down on the grip. They are also much slower to deploy and adjust the legs than a harris with notched legs which is why I will never use one on a comp gun. They could be so much better if they could just be able to loosen up more. I still wouldn't use one for a comps since it's slow to deploy but I'd use it more for range fun.

I'll probably be selling my last Atlas and be getting a Larue or ADM adapter to run a Harris on my AR's.