How important is a bipod to a "sniper"
 

I was wondering so I can plan when or if I'll buy one. I'm getting a bar-10 in a few weeks. I'm guessing the answers I'll get will be like "what kind of role do you want to play", but please share some personal experiences :)

IMO, not very...
There are times when you wish you had one, but there are more times when you wish you didn't have a metal lump hanging off the front of your gun.

Definitely! It snags up on everything when you try and belly crawl. Pain in the ass. Each thing that sticks out from your gun is just another thing to catch on stuff.

Fairly useless in airsoft.

+1 to both comments above

IMO, it's only useful if you need to camp and if you're a 100% sure that you'll stay in the same position for a very long time...

Even then, how long is "long" and how long do you intend to be camping? Not to mention that you can use bits of environment as bipods (e.g. rocks, branches, etc). Also, if you rifle isn't too heavy... you should be fine?

Edit: Sorry, I was meaning to post to say that I have a bipod on my G3-SG1, and the extra weight up front and extra bulk makes for more stuff to get hung up on foliage when you've already got more than enough gear to carry on your person.

But airsoft is 95% Style, and 5% functionality. :)

I agree, it depends on your playing style, the type of game, and what you are doing.

+1 ...lol

but yes...bipod only adds weight on your gun...for nothing...

I agree air soft isnt 100% accurate its groupings which you can do with or with out an airsoft.. if you are camping out and dont want to hold the gun for ages.. if not find a nice stump to rest it on for free :)

Hehe =), "long" doesn't really need any time definition. Long for me could be 5 minutes or 15 minutes, as for you it could be 30 seconds or 20 minutes.

"long" should mean that the guy feels like he's going to stay at his spot for a time long enough that he won't want to hold his rifle during the whole time.

And +1 to Shift, there's always a stomp/rock nearby that can do the job.

I think It's always nice to have a bipod, mainly because it releases you of some effort and when you don't have anything to support you'll be telling yourself "I'm such a douche...".
"Lived story" with a M99, and before you say I don't have arms I can shoot it while standing easily, yet for precision purpose a bipod is a must-have, even if there are lighter SR than the M99.

Awesome. I guess the general consensus is that I don't need a bipod :P. I guess also that unless I supe up my gun (I'm planning on getting a tk twist and a bucking and let it rest at that), having a bipod won't improve the accuracy of the gun that much, unless I am totally underestimating this $200 sniper rifle build :P.

Its probably a good purchase, so that if you fall asleep from boardom sitting in a bush trying to apply actual sniper tactics to airsoft, your barrel will not gouge into the dirt and possibly damage something.

Unless your under 330FPS, the TK twist is uselsss. Id go with a tight Bore.

Well, I'm also dropping down to a 100sp or a 110sp, which is like 330-350 fps. I think the gun can get to like 450 or 500fps without upgrading sears (not sure which one), but I want to go the twist route.

Fixed :)

To apply the Tanio Kobra Twist barrel to your BA rifle, it must be under 330, not around, hell, even 300fps would be better.

It's the same thing, although i was assuming he knew it was with .20's. Sorry.

Just wanted it to be clear. It seems there's a lot of confusion thinking that as long as it's 330 fps with any bb, it's fine when it's not the case. I thought that when I first read ILLusion's post.

I find having a bipod on my rifles more of a benefit than a hindrance. First, it allows you to set your rifle down on the ground and use the bipod as a stand. Useful when taking a break, or having to re-adust your gear. Otherwise you'd have to get someone else to hold your rifle for you, or worse, lean the rifle up against something (and have it fall, giving your scope a good knock). Next, is when dealing with something such as a car hood, makes it easier to shoot from (one of our local fields has cars kicking around the field). An odd but creative use is when shooting while standing and wanting to shoot using a vertical surface (in my case I discovered it using a 4x4 beam inside a building) such as a tree, hold your hand on the surface and extend the leg closest to your hand, use that to hold onto. Works REALLY well, and allows you a steadier shot when waiting for that ideal timing to pull the trigger. Also useful when testing'tuning your rifle indoors, I use my bipod to rest on a shipping container in my basement, to shoot for groupings at 30ft, to see the consistancy of my rifle. And to dial in my scope properly.

So yes, a bipod is very handy to have on your rifle. I expected a lot of the replies above, but this is why I'm one of the 'less than 1%' around here, makes me different and effective. As for type/length, I use the Harris style Rockmount 6-9" pivoting bipod, and it's an awesome type to have.

I had a bipod built into my G3SG1, came in handy every now and then, but it was a really light bipod, I wouldn't put up with a 3 pounder on my VSR. Then it would be front heavy lol

though it may seem useless, it has it practical uses on the field as stalker has mentioned. the few times I've fielded the APS2, I kind of wished I had a bipod. sure it will snag on stuff but fliping out a bipod to sight opfor is much quicker than piling up some sticks of looking for a big enough rock.

i use an M14. the entire gun is just front heavy. a bipod would just exacerbate the issue. when im prone, i use the mags, elbows or natural objects to mount my gun. this isn't real steel. you dont need to be laser accurate.

I have a bipod on my APS2 and use it quite often. It does help quite a bit especially when you are shooting longer ranges and I have gotten quite good at lobbing shots far past aeg range using a bipod to steady the rifle.

I am shocked that no one has hit one of the more obvious reasons for a bipod. It helps you display the gun!

A M700 on bipod makes a great centerpiece over your workbench/gunroom/office.

Fixed. :D

Just get the small sandbags for support. Mobile, fast and easy.

And heavy. Also have to have a pouch to carry it in, and then pull it out when you want to use it. Rather makes things more complicated, plus the limitations of height adjustments.

Mine's in the middle
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l7...3/DSCF3036.jpg

I would disagreee, I'd rather have kit that suits me needs then useless stuff that makes me look "cool". To me the guy that can take out half the enemy with a spring pistol in jeans and a t-shirt is cool. (I've seen it done)

He was being sarcastic. Lol

Important for when you're laying prone or want to rest your rifle on top of something to steady the shot? Helps control the recoil too which is something that is super minimal in airsoft. Bi-pod on a sniper serves basically the same ideal as a Fore-grip on an SMG or AR...

And for the amount of time it takes to put on and take off i would get one they do like Stalker said come in very handy and if your crawlin around just throw it in your ruck till your destination is reached. JMO i have one on my rifle and love it I wouldnt game without it.

I gamed a couple days without a bipod on my rifle, was totally odd (felt naked), and really learned the benefits of having it there for when it is useful. I'd still game without it, but it's not worth it.

I'd never hit the field without a bipod on my rifle.

I rarely deploy it for shooting, but it's definatly usefull to rest the rifle on it (legs folded) for a little raise. I also use it's base as a grabing handle to manuver the rifle when crawling. I also use it as a handle to raise the rifle with my fist when shooting prone, low on the ground.

It snag, but not that much. You learn to live with it. I use an Harris Ultralight, medium size bipod. The fixed type and not the swivel type.

When observing for long period of time in milsims, you will like your bipod. You will also stay longer behing your scope and be less fatigued.

Those that trash the bipod use and think it's only cosmetic are not spending a lot of time playing as a sniper in milsims. They might be doing more running and gunning and a lot less crawling and observing.

There is a difference between "cool" and "tacticool"!, jk. Once I get my bipod I'll have a better idea of what I need. I'm just trying to plan ahead.

I also decided to put in the spring number to try to clarify where I was headed, but I guess that wasn't the case. a 100sp shoots around 330 with .20's (according to a few sites) and I think that's the lowest spring for a vsr/bar. This year we've been playing on pretty small fields (I'm guessing maybe 1-2 football fields for one and like 3-5 for the other. Most of the time we were within maybe 30 yards from each other, so yeah, I'll get a better idea of what I need once I field the gun.

I do agree that a bipod makes sniper rifles look badass.

As stalker said, i was joking.

But in terms of your post. I would also disagree. In my opinion, Airsoft is "MILSIM", Not street clothes. Wearing street clothes, totally takes away from the game, and makes you look silly.

It depends on what your club is all about i guess. And i know your just making a point also. The bipod is not just for looks as mentioned by many other "vets" lol.

Am glad my 'certified brethren' (fellow "One Percenters") finally decided to join this thread with their opinions, largely backing me up with their experiences regarding bipod use. Gets annoying to see guys that never even tried the role of sniper offer up opinions based solely on what they've seen other guys type up in the past regarding BA rifles. Those that actually TRIED the role but found it wasn't their thing have more of an opinion than those that haven't.

Not to mention if you are especially in a good hiding position a bipod will allow you to make quicker more accurate follow-up shots so you can sling more plastic down range and keep your opponents heads down.

Now that I think about it, it'll give you more leverage when pulling the bolt back (not sure how heavy the bolt pull will be yet) so you won't have to worry about rubbing your barrel in the mud.

Not really. To pull heavy bolt back, you kinda have to brace yourself on the rifle. If the rifle is sitting on the bipod, it will most probably get off the ground during the manuver.

My M24 bolt pull is pretty heavy. I have an old school upgraded spring in it. The first few days when I got it, it would strain my forearms.

When shooting prone, a bipod will allow one hand to remain in a support position while the shooting hand work the bolt. That's only viable for gas operated rifles or very light spring rifle. And by very light, it would probably be a heavelly tuned rifle with a weak spring.

In airsoft, when cycling the bolt in the prone position, you will hold the rifle with your support hand, resting your elbow on the ground, and pull back the bolt with your firing hand. Your body will probably have to turn on it's side to pull with some of your back musles when working a heavy bolt. Much like a hunting bow.

Remember that those upgraded bolt must be pulled in a way to reduce side tortion, to avoid breaking the bolt. We are dealing with cheap pot metal, or steal supported by cheap pot metal or plastic. It's not at all like a real bolt that can be pulled by one finger on the tip of the knob.

Also, following shots are slow. You watch your BB fly to the target and reload when it hit. You rarely send in a fast voley. Unless you don't care about hitting.

YouTube- OP Quick Pass

Watch at 0:52. It's me working the bolt and killing the opfor. Notice how I hold my bolt and support the rifle. It's also resting on the sandbags on the folded bipod.

Functionally there is no such thing as sniper rifles in airsoft world. All airsoft guns have roughly the same power range 320fps-450fps. If some are sightly overpowered, almost all games require your rifle to cap the fps for safety.

That being said, there is nothing to stop you from roleplaying as a sniper. Ask yourself, how important a bipods to "you" as a sniper?

You are speaking out of what kind of experience here?

I won't go into the fps and power debate. Because you are wrong.

You don't even answer the question about bipod nor ad points to the conversation.

I don't think this discussion is limited to BAs, on semi-autos you can do followup shots quick, also, I found for most DMR rifles, a hand under your mag does wonders; I failed to take into consideration that there are some very light bipods out there; give some a try maybe?
I still refuse to use one though =p

it's because we pound these nubs with info that sways them from starting off with a BA.


so then why are certified BA operators allowed to use level 2 BA's, which exceeds local field limits?

So I guess a 340fps (w/0.20g) AEG can get 0.30g BBs out to 300ft easily as my M24 did a few years ago? And I mean able to hit a guy within a few shots if the wind was calm, not "my BB landed 300ft away, but was 150ft off to the left when it landed" kinda stuff. I'm talking within a 20ft grouping at 300ft.

And a bipod is worth a lot to me, much more than the little saving's I'd get from having it a pound lighter and a slight bit less snag proof.

Oh ya, a bipod allows you to use your support hand to raise/lower your aiming point by cupping your hand at the bottom of the stock where it meets your shoulder. Very important for accurate shooting.

...hot topic.

I have a QD bi pod on my BA, which is rarely used as most of my shots are made from semi prone or standing. However, it is still apart of my kit, available and accessible on a moment's notice.
I also enjoy night games very, very much.... so much so, that I have a GEN2+ NVS which just happens to weigh a stinking tone and a half (and it is very particular on being kept still)......If I slightly sway one way or another, the "view" is no where as clear or decisive as if it is completely motionless. Hence I use the bi pod when I employ the NVS....crystal clear images.
That and slinging the NVS is really uncomfortable as the NVS digs into the back, so the bi pod is very convenient for just laying the gun down for even a second or two for a hands free.

My $0.02 worth.
SHA DO

Haha sniper god has spoken, end of thread lmao :rolleyes:

Sorry, quick question because everyone has been mention level 1,2, etc. BA snipers. I'm guessing BA = Bolt Action (It's not in the Dictionary/Glossary in the FAQ forums). However, what distinguishes a level 1 sniper from a level 2? I know you have to go through certifications to move on to the next level (I've seen the clinic threads and such). Are more doors opened to you as you advance? Higher FPS cap, etc?

Sorry, I'm just curious. I tried searching, however, maybe it wasn't thorough enough, or I was searching for the wrong terms.

Thanks!

GBear

Level 1 is basically any Joe Schmo that decides to use a rifle for sniping. Velocity limit is 450fps (or whatever the field owner decides is the limit....... which applies to even Level 3 snipers). The other levels are given either from attending a course, or having high levels of expertise in airsoft sniping, as well as having earned high trust levels among others. So basically the certifications mean that one is allowed a higher fps because they have proven they understand the safety and minimum engagement distances associated with the higher velocities.

They are allowed to play at a higher FPS but up to 450FPS depending on the field? Whereas level 1s should play at a lower FPS?

Thanks

Yup. Let's say a large field allow higher fps. Anyone that is not certified will still be caped at 450fps while the certified snipers will be able to run higher fps.

Lvl2 is 500fps
Lvl3 is 550fps
there are other higher levels, but we dont certify people for them yet. They are more of a concept.

lol the ones over the level 3 unofficially, are like... the vetran sniper gods...

Not really, we are more regarded as "Level 3 Certified Instructors". ;)

:D Yeah but you know it made you feel all warm and bubbly inside being called a sniper god. I know Sha Do would have a grin as wide as his face reading that :rolleyes:

Ya, maybe a smirk and a head shake from him . About what I did. Lol

Ah, okay thanks for clearing that up guys! :)