Spartan Bipods?

[wildfowler.250]

Has anyone used these? Or tried them at a show ect? How are they?

Currently I have a Harris 9-13” and the 13.5-27”. I use quad sticks as well. The smaller bipod tends to be for the spring and the rest of the year and heather I’ve the larger bipod. Quad sticks are grand but if there’s time I’d prefer a prone or sitting shot.

Biggest issue is weight. I think the Spartans are really light? What I’m not sure about is the concept of removing the bipod,(which I think is their main perk?). If you’ve a slightly rushed shot, it’s an extra delay. I think to get the longer legs it’s a fair bit extra cashola as well.

Any reviews or opinions on them would be great. It’s more of a venture in weight saving because otherwise Harris is grand

Cheers!

 

[Magnificent 7]

I have one amd rate it i like the idea of being able to remove it also,ok you've to fit it to shoot but it doesn't take long to deploy.

 

[lochty]

Yes, they are much lighter. Yes, they don't get in the way when you use quad sticks. Yes, they are slower to deploy. If you need to save half a pound on the weight of your rifle and spend lots of money, fine, otherwise I'd keep the Harris.

 

[Cawdor118]

I had one and sold it after couple of seasons as It didn't live up to what I wanted. 1. You need to carry it somewhere and then end up worry about it falling out of a pocket. 2. The magnetic attachment is great but if you leave the rifle on the ground it is possible for your rifle to fall over as it cants. 3. Its very slow to adjust the leg heights. In my humble opinion, there are better options out there, specifically Tier One. Maybe try one before you buy one?

 

[Magnificent 7]

Unsure where abouts you are but your more than welcome to try mine

 

[404Shooter]

I have a ‘javelin lite’ model (so no leg adjustments) with a standard adapter on my .223 and a Salamander adapter on the 404. I can switch the bipod between rifles but I like to carry without the bipod fitted. Like you, I use sticks but it takes less time to take the bipod out of my zipped chest pocket, pop it into the adapter and assume the prone. By inserting the bipod one way it will cant and tilt but reverse it and it’s solid (my preferred method). I like it.

I also have a Tier One Tactical. The bipod itself is a thing of engineering beauty but the adapter failed and Tier One are unable to provide a solution, which is a shame. The Javelin lite is also a fraction of the cost.

If you’re anywhere in the SW you’re welcome to try mine out.

 

[Coddy]

I use them, but never used a Harris to compare.

Pro: Not digging into your back when walking about.

Cons: Have to dig it out your pocket when needed. I’ve not tried the holders you get for them that goes onto the sling.
I don’t like the covers on the feet, that cover the spikes, as they slip off too easy (they are retained), and would not be great on the bonnet. I would prefer ski feet but they are not available.
I have also removed the adjustment knob and fitted the lever, to give more purchase for stopping the cant.

 

[Jelen]

I had one and sold it after couple of seasons as It didn't live up to what I wanted. 1. You need to carry it somewhere and then end up worry about it falling out of a pocket. 2. The magnetic attachment is great but if you leave the rifle on the ground it is possible for your rifle to fall over as it cants. 3. Its very slow to adjust the leg heights. In my humble opinion, there are better options out there, specifically Tier One. Maybe try one before you buy one?

I found exactly the same as you. Most annoying was the rifle canting then falling over. I ordered a lever lock to tighten it up but it was too much of a hassle. Sold both of my Spartans (1 tall and 1 short) and reverted to my 20 year old never fail Harris.

 

[the scudd]

Same as the above

 

[09mutley05]

I use one on my blaser, carried on a Spartan sling. Have an extra piece of elastic on it to stop it falling out, ( only happened once on a ride, so easily found). Have also put some orange reflective tape on the legs to help locate it if dropped again. Easy to attach one you get used to it. I enjoy not having bipod digging in me whilst carrying and using sticks. Only down side is the legs aren’t that easy to adjust. I’m looking at the hunt pro TAC with spring loaded legs. Think they unscrew so could do for sitting shots too.

 

[Utectok]

I love mine the pro hunt model is by a long way the best. Locks open, legs deploy quickly and indexed. The standard long is the most useful. I’ve had a few and this works best for me. The leather belt carrier is perfect cut the tab short near the snap button and it stays in there for the roughest crawling. Very quick to deploy light and robust. The gunsmiths adapter is great too

 

[slider]

I bought one recently from a member on here, but yet to use in anger. I use a vorn backpack and found the bulk Harris type bipod could slow the release of teh rifle from the backpack occasionally. I mainly shoot of sticks but wants to retain the option of an "instant on" bipod.

 

[User00040]

Still have mine (Javelin Pro Hunt) but will be looking at the NZ offering (Backlanz) for my other rifle.

They have prioritised the US market over the UK one (maybe not a bad business decision) but their unstable product lineup and removal of direct UK customer sales and support has soured things.

 

[Tazz]

You may want to consider a Neopod same advantages as Javelin types but the leg height can be adjusted quickly using one hand

 

[Cris]

Just got one after nearly thirty years using a Harris type. Not sure about it and paranoid about dropping it. Alos as the summer month come not sure where I'm going to carry it? Once on I'm still getting used to adjusting the cant tension and leg length whilst stopping it rotating. Great idea just not sure I'm getting it right now.
P.s never had a problem with the Harris digging into my back. Realy not sure why people have an issue with this.

 

[Jamouk]

Got one and have the adaptors on 3 of my rifles think its great

 

[wytonpjs]

Got one and have the adaptors on 3 of my rifles think its great

Same here. After years of using the biggest Harris it’s so good to have lost that weight off the front end. I shoot mostly off sticks mow but found myself in the middle of a barley field last Tuesday stalking into a group of 5 roe and used it in anger. I carry it in a leather top holder on my bino harness and can get it out and fitted quite quickly - not as fast as the Harris but not too long. I swapped out the legs for much longer ones to cover prone and sitting shots and as others say, extending and locking the legs has a knack but like most things, practice makes perfect. Stable shooting position and good traverse. Well happy with the experience

 

[wildfowler.250]

Cheers for the feedback guys and thanks for the kind offers of a trial as well. Very kind! Certainly seems to be quite a marmite bipod.

Does anyone know if the tier one bipods go up to like 25-27”?

The small Harris I have is grand for weight and in the spring. I prefer the larger bipod but slightly apprehensive for taking it up the hills for reds as it weighs a small tonne. I’ll be taking the quad sticks as well but the bipod is so much better if it works.

Thanks again!

 

[Klenchblaize]

I like the concept but also understand the fear of losing a set.

I recall someone posted on here asking us to keep an eye out on Bisley's Century range for a set that had ben left behind. I was on site at 07:30hrs the next day as it coincided with a shoot at the BSRC range and spent 1hr looking in all the ditches from 100 back to 400 yards but never found them.

K

 

[JH83]

I have a javelin.

pros; light, stable when deployed properly, fits in a pocket easily.

cons; a faff to set up properly, the twist grips are not the best, the tilt lock also immediately comes loose so if you are zeroing you gun will just fall over. I rang Spartan to buy longer legs for a trip on the snowy hill only to find out that the £200 bipod I bought 7 months prior was obsolete and they had no stock, so I bought some 40cm ones (all they had left) which are neither use nor ornament. In putting them on I ended up tearing out one of the leg inserts which needed glueing back in, I’m pleased I found it as let’s face it, it’d probably be obsolete as well.

Stick with the Harris, or stump up the cash for atlas/tier one