M14 Bipods

[chgolaw1]

How many manufacturers of USGI M14 bipods where there? Also is it true that they weren't very good to use?

Thanks

[Steve762]

chgolaw1,
Just my 2 cents.
The M14 was designed in the early 1950's to replace the M1 Garand and the BAR. It was chambered in the then new 7.62 MM NATO round.
- Do not know the number of manufactures of M14 bipods.
- The US had two versions one with and one without the sling swivel.
- Have seen several Chinese made copies. They seem to be well made.
- Accuracy wise the bipod was a necessary support when the M14 was used as a light machine gun. However, the M14 was found to be almost un-controllable in full auto.
- As a support for accurate rifle shooting it is worthless. Since the bipod is attached to the gas cylinder which is mounted to the barrel in front of the stock ferrrule groups are very poor. I tried one at 100yds in prone and the group (if you can call it that) was 12" low and 4" left.

The USGI bipod is sturdy and well made. A neat looking piece of gear. The problem is as a rifle support the barrel mounting destroys accuracy. Some shooters have tried stock mounting the bipod which improved accuracy but the mounting point is in an area of the stock with thin wood.
Regards, Steve762

[Sapper740]

Another 2 cents much of which will echo Steve's comments. When Canada was a free country you could own M 14's that had been converted to semi-auto only. There were also available surplus accessories to 'turn' your rifle into an M14E2 i.e. the stock, bipod and muzzle brakes were commonly available. I bought a muzzle brake ($95) and a bipod ($175) but turned down buying the E2 stock ($350) because the actual rifle was only $550 and buying all the accessories more than doubled the price of the rifle. The bipod is very robust but I never made note of any manufacturer's stamps on it and like Steve I didn't like using it and soon installed a Harris bipod on my rifle. The muzzle brake only worked on full auto so it didn't help at all while shooing semi auto but I left it on for the gun porn value.

[old tanker]

I have a GI bipod. Thirty-five, forty years ago, it was excess inventory in some supply room somewhere and needed to be gone before an inspection. It was saved from the dumpster. I'll have to see if there is a CAGE code on it somewhere. As others have mentioned it is substantial, well-made and useless. When I was issued an M14, I never saw a bipod outside the picture in the field manual. That's likely why when they were eventually surplussed they mostly looked unused.

[chgolaw1]

Thank you all for the great info, it certainly helped.