Caldwell XLA Pivot Bipod 13.5" - 27"

Setting up a souped up rimfire rifles for precision shooting and Belding Ground Squirrels, I opted to go cheap on bipods, since I had dropped a good chunk of change on the rifles and optics. The cost of two Harris bipods or the slick, machined tactical bipods currently on the market were never in the cards. Instead I opted to purchase the Caldwell XLA Pivot as well as a Blackhawk Sportster Adjustable Pivot to get the job done and have an opportunity to compare the bipods to one another and to a Harris that I already own. The Caldwell and Blackhawk are similar in quality, except the Caldwell knurled plastic knob to tighten the swivel stud connection and draw the bipod tight against the rifle stock immediately separated from the screw to which it is attached. I just used a screwdriver to tighten the connection without any trouble. The Blackhawk uses a one-piece component, which will not separate. The Blackhawk also has an elongated and more practical lever to adjust tension on the pivot function, however the added cost is built into the Blackhawk. Caldwell sells a similar lever as an upgrade and keeps the price of the bipod down. The legs on the Caldwell extend on command under spring tension, however the Blackhawk legs are use spring tension to retract on command like the Harris. Like the Blackhawk, the Caldwell is made in China, so some of the components, coatings and quality never reach for the stars, but both bipods are getting the job done on the bench at should do fine on my first squeaker shoot this month. The notched legs on the Caldwell are handy, but I have to lean toward the Blackhawk for working most like a Harris and having a better solution for tightening the connection to the rifle stock. No I wouldn't trust my life to either of these bipods, but both companies offer a product that works, yet makes you wish you had the coin to afford a Harris. Imitation is a form of flattery.