Grip Pod vs Sling

[lennyo3034]

Which do you think will provide a more stable shot on a 3-gun type rifle? Not referring to actual 3-gun competition, just general shooting and plinking. I shoot high power so I'm accustomed to using a sling as a shooting aid, although I'm more comfortable with a leather turner NM sling vs the TIS slip cuff that is currently on the rifle. I am considering replacing the magpul rvg with a grip pod but not sure how much better that would be over the sling. I realize the grip pod is nowhere near as good as real harris or atlas bipod, but the main purpose of the rifle is not for shooting prone from rest. Shots taken with grip pod would be without rear bag.

I have an Atlas that I attach if I need to shoot for sight in or test a load, but it comes off for run-n-gun, which is what this rifle is for.

 

[elfster1234]

I think most 3-gun guys would never use a grip pod & would usually just have a rifle length handguard & no sling at all. Most 3gun use objects for supported shots and a grip anything would just get in the way of taking supported shots.

For pure standing shots I would use nothing just to keep the weight off. I have a grip pod on my RRA ELITE OPERATOR2 as it is #1 my home defense rifle & #2 my rifle I practice iron sights with out in the field with no rear sand bag and for pure screwing around spray and pray plinking. Other than that grip pods are pretty much worthless IMO. I have a grip pod just so I have the option of having it for that special situation out in the field. My grip pod comes off my rifle more than I use it at the range. If I'm sitting at a bench and I have the time, the harris 6-9 bipod is going on the rifle. If I'm standing taking shots then I'm creating a shelf with left arm or with sling support. Any grippod or grip anything would usually get in the way during a 3gun & most use objects for support when possible.

What is nice about a grip pod is they are easy to take on or off, nice for field use with no rear sand bag (as they sit so high that you can't use a rear sand bag anyway), and screwing around on a bench for plinking shots when 100% accuracy is not needed (spray and pray type stuff)... They are not the best for groups on a bench.

If you do get one, then you can usually pick up the nice steel leg insert GPS-02 off ebay for about $50, maybe $55 shipped brand new. Put it this way, they are nice to have as an option being that they are so easy to take on or off and they are so cheap. As long as you have an available rail on the bottom of your handgaurd. Other than that, for pure standing shots, keep it off for less weight unless you're in a war clearing a room and you need to shoot around a corner or something.

My grip pod is used more as a rifle stand than for actual use. They do have a need for special situations though as this is my home defense rifle. Get it! It is always nice to have and is easy to take off & is fun to screw around with from time to time. They only cost $50 to $55 for a GPS-02 off ebay. They work great for 30round mags as it clears. Reason why I like 20round pmags so much as 30round mags don't clear a 6-9" harris bipod!

 

[elfster1234]

Here you go! $45 shipped, brand new. Fun to have as an option, but not for shooting groups on a bench as stated above:

Grip POD GPS 02 Forward Grip With Bipod NSN 1005 01 541 1772 Usgi Issue NEW L9 | eBay

 

[elfster1234]

This is my 3gun rifle minus the harris bipod. Only reason why the bipod was on during this pic as it was being used for 30shot shootout entry. This is the most light weight SCOPED ready to rock in roll AR in my collection minus the bipod. With the bipod off, it is stupid light weight. DPMS 3G1 is the most under rated inexpensive rifle on the market today. 18" ss 1:8 barrel stock with a kick ass compensator and JP ultra crisp trigger and JP vtac rifle length handgaurd.

 

[lennyo3034]

You had me sold until you posted the picture. Holy cow that thing is tall. Twice the height of my current grip. Shooting for groups is not my intention for my sling vs grippod decision, mainly a quick way to stabilize the rifle if I get a chance to drop to prone or sitting. Now that I've seen it, not sure how well it would work because I tend to instictively preload a bipod. I can confidently shoot 1-1.5 MOA out of my service rifle using irons and a sling. Not sure if I can do better than that with the grip pod, especially with nothing supporting the rear.

 

[elfster1234]

As a recreational shooter, this is why grip pods are worthless shooting from a bench other than the special situations as I stated above as a home defense rifle or just screwing around "spray and pray" type stuff. As you can see in the pic, there is no way you're going to use a rear bag as the front sits so high. Great use for in war tho! durable, shoot around corners, fast & easy deployment, stuff like that :

You had me sold until you posted the picture. Holy cow that thing is tall. Twice the height of my current grip. Shooting for groups is not my intention for my sling vs grippod decision, mainly a quick way to stabilize the rifle if I get a chance to drop to prone or sitting. Now that I've seen it, not sure how well it would work because I tend to instictively preload a bipod. I can confidently shoot 1-1.5 MOA out of my service rifle using irons and a sling. Not sure if I can do better than that with the grip pod, especially with nothing supporting the rear.