For the longest time, I’ve been against the idea of adding a bipod to a tactical carbine or rifle. I thought “why in the world do you need a bi-pod on a gun that you’re likely only going to shoot out to 400m?” Going to solid-braced prone, breathing and quickly placing a well aimed shot out to 400m is accomplished through practice. So, why do I need a vertical foregrip with an extendable leg that doubles as a bi-pod?
Quickly fast-forward to 2009, during a visit to a group of go-fast guys near San Diego, I saw this Mk18 SBR with a Grip Pod on it. I jokingly asked the owner when in the world would you have the opportunity to deploy the bipod so you can make a distant shot? The gun won’t even reach out that far…!!! He looked over at me and said “let’s do a quick qual from 50m against a 10” steel plate, with 3x magazines with five rounds each. We will time it and see who finishes first.” On the first try, I get smoked, but I’m not really surprised. After all, those guys shoot for a living and they shoot more rounds in a month than I could in a year. So he gives me a one-second handicap. Again, I lose. Then I ask to try this test again, now focus more on his techniques than try to beat him. I notice with the handicap, I am almost even with him to the five shot kneeling, but his start to even up the shot placement during the kneeling phase, and as soon as we hit the dirt during the prone phase, he just takes over.
My friend placed a GripPod on my M4. He gives me some pointers on how to deploy the Grip Pod. I practiced with this contraption a few times and made sure I was able to utilize it, and then we did the test again. The one second handicap was still in effect, but this time I was able to pretty much even up to his time. That’s when a light bulb started to come on in my tiny little brain and I noticed that with the Grip Pod, I didn’t have to go into the braced prone and position my body in order to gain that sight picture. With the GripPod, I was able to drop to the standard prone position with the Pod deployed and get right to shooting at my target. The red dot came right to my eyes, and the sight picture was acquired that much faster.
My friend told me he doesn’t consider the Grip Pod to be a bipod, but more like a weapon stabilization device. He began to explain how the GripPod is more of a stabilizer that he utilizes as a VFG most of the time. However, when it comes time to go prone (and he said he’s gone prone often in his time in the sandbox), he can utilize the Pod to help with placing a quick-engagement shot on target that might be 100m away or just a block down the street. The Pod can then be retracted with one hand if he continues to move or just leave it deployed. The Pod not only helps with prone shooting, but when placing a rifle over the parapet off the roof, a jagged wall, or any position that requires placing the rifle on a surface, he utilizes the Grip Pod to help with stabilizing the weapons platform. He even runs his MK48MOD 1 with the Grip Pod. Although GripPod makes a SAW/LMG (Squad Automatic Weapon/Light Machine Gun) version, he utilizes the standard military GripPod on his MK48. The Grip Pod displays its ability to enhance the weapon system even more on a LMG/SAW, as the operator no longer has to worry about deploying a bipod one leg at a time, or worry about the legs getting in the way while he’s moving and shooting. He can simply deploy the Pod when he needs it. The rest of the time, the Pod’s fast-deploy legs are completely out of the way. Bottom line, the Grip Pod is never as intrusive as the bipod on the Mk48. Adding to the Grip Pod’s advantage it’s relatively light weight, considering its internal components and capabilities. The military-version Grip Pod is actually 2oz less than a VFG with the quick-release attachment. His team even runs the GripPod on their RECCE rifles where it doubles as a bipod and a VFG.
Anyway, I bought a Grip Pod from an internet dealer; I bought the military-version Grip Pod with a steel insert inside the legs. When placed next to a KAC VFG, the Grip Pod is about an inch longer, but the overall bulk is increased, but nothing alarming, especially when compared to a Surefire M900, the GripPod is actually shorter in length and much lighter. The Grip Pod is only 6 ounces (6oz) heavier than a standard plastic VFG, but 2 ounces (2oz) lighter than a QD VFG. And, it’s still smaller than a Surefire M900 in size. I’ve been utilizing the Grip Pod with a Surefire M600 Scout light on my Colt LE6940 carbine, lately. This package is lighter and more compact than a standard VFG, Light, and bipod combo.
I would never have thought a Grip Pod would be required on a carbine, and it just looked ugly to me. But after months of use, I’ve changed my mind about it. The GripPod has grown on me. The more I use it, the more I like the capability and performance enhancement added to my lowly shooting skills. The Pod allows me to place shots faster when going prone, and its bulk seems to disappear over time. The Grip Pod comes in particularly handy when I shoot my 3 gun matches, as I’m able to move from position to position quickly and deploy the Pod whenever necessary. It is just fast, fast, and fast!
So, do I like it? For me, it’s a mostly “yes” answer. I’d like to see if its design can be streamlined a bit more. I’d remove the wingnut and replace it with another locking solution, since I grip high on my VFG and the wingnut gets in the way a bit. Not too often has a product that I initially disliked changed my opinion so radically, but the Grip Pod has definitely made a deep impression on my weapon setup. I wouldn’t use it as a sniper rifle bipod, but on a short carbine, or even a perimeter rifle, the GripPod is a great addition.
The Grip Pod is a viable design and a definite performance enhancer for any type of dynamic shooting, including combat and competition shooting. This is evidenced by the millions of Grip Pods already purchased by the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force. The Grip Pod’s service-wide acceptance and acquisition history is also evidence that this is not a fly-by-night product. The Grip Pod, ungainly looking as it may be at first glance, is a product with a valuable purpose and bright future in modern military small arms deployment. Will I continue to use it? YES!
