I am going to start out this review with a couple of disclaimers.
First, this is not intended to be a “what’s best” declaration. This is quite simply an explanation of what I have found to work best for me and why. There are other quality options on the market and I am not here to knock any of them. Personal preference plays a huge roll in gear selection, what you will find here is my preference. Please take from it what you will and don’t read anything more into it than what you see here.
Second, I fully realize and understand the problems that have been encountered in obtaining some of these products. Some of the products depicted here are in high demand and difficult to get ahold of. I waited some time to obtain some of them and have found that it was worth the wait. Everything I will discuss is available through Phoenix Tactical and I recommend going through Phoenix Tactical exclusively to obtain them.
Lastly, I am not affiliated with Phoenix Tactical or Alamo Four Star in any manner other than being a very satisfied consumer of their products. I am not being paid or reimbursed in any way for this review. Scott Hansen at Phoenix Tactical has been nothing but professional and courteous in my dealings with him. My primary motivation for posting this review is to share what has made my job easier, if Phoenix Tactical receives business as a result I feel it is well deserved.
Now that all that is out of the way,
I decided to make some changes to increase the versatility of my setup. I use my rifle in a wide variety of situations from the flat range to office building roof tops to “urban hides” set up in apartment buildings and houses. I’ve been using a DCLW tripod with side pressure kit for a couple of years with great success but have felt it would perform better if I could lock the rifle in more securely. I ran across this thread: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2038763&page=1 and a lightbulb came on. I ordered a 12” picatinny rail blank and put myself in line for the tools that 427Cobra was nice enough to share. Once everything arrived I went to work installing the rail to my stock. Here is the finished product:
<span style="font-weight: bold">**Many thanks to 427Cobra for the tutorial and the use of his tools for this project**</span>
I also contacted Scott at Phoenix Tactical and ordered a DLOC-S, a flat top conversion which replaces the cradle on my DCLW with a flat top and DLOC adapter, a set of prototype “T’s” replacement legs and a set of Leg Lock Screws.
I previously owned a set of the “T’s” replacement legs and Leg Lock Screws for the Harris Bipod which I used for about a year on an Iron Ridge Arms rifle that I sold recently. I have also owned and used Phoenix Tactical’s Pod Claws. I like to shoot very low to the ground and using the DLOC-S and rail setup added some height to my bipod. The “t’s” legs reduce the overall height of the Harris 6”-9” bipod bringing the height back down where I need it.
The only complaint I had with the Pod Claws was that they wanted to grab along the interior of my Eberlestock Phantom scabbard when putting the rifle away, the aggressive claws would also chew into the wood deck at one of the shooting ranges I frequent. The “T’s” footings offer a good compromise in my opinion. They offer both a vertical and horizontal surfaces which still bite into soil and allow substantial bipod loading but also work extremely well on horizontal surfaces such as a concrete curb, the gaps in an automobile body and window sills which can be easily protected from damage by a piece of tape applied before placing the rifle. As you can see the feet on the “T’s” legs are welded to the leg for strength.
The “T’s” legs have a slot cut down the back side that, when combined with the Leg Lock screws, prevent the bipod legs from spinning within the upper legs. This help keep the rifle planted and reduces movement requiring readjusting between shots.
The “T’s” legs also have notches cut to allow the continued use of preset height adjustments available with the Harris bipod.
Phoenix Tactical plans to have the 5.5 Tactical Bipod available with the “T’s” legs available this fall.
To be continued...
First, this is not intended to be a “what’s best” declaration. This is quite simply an explanation of what I have found to work best for me and why. There are other quality options on the market and I am not here to knock any of them. Personal preference plays a huge roll in gear selection, what you will find here is my preference. Please take from it what you will and don’t read anything more into it than what you see here.
Second, I fully realize and understand the problems that have been encountered in obtaining some of these products. Some of the products depicted here are in high demand and difficult to get ahold of. I waited some time to obtain some of them and have found that it was worth the wait. Everything I will discuss is available through Phoenix Tactical and I recommend going through Phoenix Tactical exclusively to obtain them.
Lastly, I am not affiliated with Phoenix Tactical or Alamo Four Star in any manner other than being a very satisfied consumer of their products. I am not being paid or reimbursed in any way for this review. Scott Hansen at Phoenix Tactical has been nothing but professional and courteous in my dealings with him. My primary motivation for posting this review is to share what has made my job easier, if Phoenix Tactical receives business as a result I feel it is well deserved.
Now that all that is out of the way,
I decided to make some changes to increase the versatility of my setup. I use my rifle in a wide variety of situations from the flat range to office building roof tops to “urban hides” set up in apartment buildings and houses. I’ve been using a DCLW tripod with side pressure kit for a couple of years with great success but have felt it would perform better if I could lock the rifle in more securely. I ran across this thread: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2038763&page=1 and a lightbulb came on. I ordered a 12” picatinny rail blank and put myself in line for the tools that 427Cobra was nice enough to share. Once everything arrived I went to work installing the rail to my stock. Here is the finished product:
<span style="font-weight: bold">**Many thanks to 427Cobra for the tutorial and the use of his tools for this project**</span>
I also contacted Scott at Phoenix Tactical and ordered a DLOC-S, a flat top conversion which replaces the cradle on my DCLW with a flat top and DLOC adapter, a set of prototype “T’s” replacement legs and a set of Leg Lock Screws.
I previously owned a set of the “T’s” replacement legs and Leg Lock Screws for the Harris Bipod which I used for about a year on an Iron Ridge Arms rifle that I sold recently. I have also owned and used Phoenix Tactical’s Pod Claws. I like to shoot very low to the ground and using the DLOC-S and rail setup added some height to my bipod. The “t’s” legs reduce the overall height of the Harris 6”-9” bipod bringing the height back down where I need it.
The only complaint I had with the Pod Claws was that they wanted to grab along the interior of my Eberlestock Phantom scabbard when putting the rifle away, the aggressive claws would also chew into the wood deck at one of the shooting ranges I frequent. The “T’s” footings offer a good compromise in my opinion. They offer both a vertical and horizontal surfaces which still bite into soil and allow substantial bipod loading but also work extremely well on horizontal surfaces such as a concrete curb, the gaps in an automobile body and window sills which can be easily protected from damage by a piece of tape applied before placing the rifle. As you can see the feet on the “T’s” legs are welded to the leg for strength.
The “T’s” legs have a slot cut down the back side that, when combined with the Leg Lock screws, prevent the bipod legs from spinning within the upper legs. This help keep the rifle planted and reduces movement requiring readjusting between shots.
The “T’s” legs also have notches cut to allow the continued use of preset height adjustments available with the Harris bipod.
Phoenix Tactical plans to have the 5.5 Tactical Bipod available with the “T’s” legs available this fall.
To be continued...
