AK Sponsor
Posted: 1/21/2013 7:24:56 PM EDT
|
Are there any problems with using a magazine as an impromptu bipod? I'm thinking prone position, long range shot in the field where you might not have something to rest the rifle on.
I've done this a few times with my SGL 31, but can anything break/wear out if practicing like this regularly? |
|
Metal on metal with pressure from one side or another affects anything and everything eventually.
While it's not recommended, even in the Russian field manual for the Kalashnikov, there's not really anything wrong with it occassionally. However, I probably wouldn't make it a standard thing as eventually you may cause harm to the magazine well or magazine - from just marring the finish or worse, depending on the activity you're doing. It will also depend heavily on what kind of magazine you're using. If you're using one of the early era Russian "slabside" magazines, you'll not do much of any damage to the magazine as it's a very strong magazine. A Russian aluminum one will probably have an affect on the magazine. Bakelite, as well. |
|
Quoted:
Are there any problems with using a magazine as an impromptu bipod? I'm thinking prone position, long range shot in the field where you might not have something to rest the rifle on. I've done this a few times with my SGL 31, but can anything break/wear out if practicing like this regularly? It would be a monopod not a bipod. 
|
| Just remember when you go prone to set it down lightly. You’re resting the rifle on the floorplate of the magazine which is probably the weakest point of your average AK magazine. With that said, it is something I do about every time I go prone. It’s not the steadiest position in the world, but it’s better than no rest at all. And it beats the heck out of attaching some heavy bipod to your rifle. |
|
My initial googling didn't come up with much on this subject, hence my thread, but found a lot of info after googling "magazine as monopod" (thanks grammar Nazi above). Most confirm what folks here have already posted, that this practice doesn't pose any serious problems. Some said it'll exacerbate problems with old worn out magazines but shouldn't affect functional magazines. Lots of folks pointed out that the military generally frowns on it, but many private shooting instructors teach it. The last 'gun school' I went to was the US Army about 20 years ago, don't recall what if anything they said about using a magazine for support.
I also reviewed a few AK manuals online but there wasn't anything about using the mag for support. The firing sections are a few sentences that boil down to (1) aim, (2) pull trigger. I think I'll play a bit more with monopodding, but aside from sighting in, most of my shooting is done from a standing or kneeling position. I mostly train for quick short range engagements using double taps. I do need to do more long range practice, though. I also reviewed the main documentary on the subject and the Wolverines agree: magazine as support is good to go. 
Placing the hand on the top handguard must make the sights a bit difficult to use, but I guess when you're ambushing Spetznaz in the mountains of Colorado you just don't have time to use the damn sights.... |
|
Quoted: My initial googling didn't come up with much on this subject, hence my thread, but found a lot of info after googling "magazine as monopod" (thanks grammar Nazi above). Most confirm what folks here have already posted, that this practice doesn't pose any serious problems. Some said it'll exacerbate problems with old worn out magazines but shouldn't affect functional magazines. Lots of folks pointed out that the military generally frowns on it, but many private shooting instructors teach it. The last 'gun school' I went to was the US Army about 20 years ago, don't recall what if anything they said about using a magazine for support. I also reviewed a few AK manuals online but there wasn't anything about using the mag for support. The firing sections are a few sentences that boil down to (1) aim, (2) pull trigger. I think I'll play a bit more with monopodding, but aside from sighting in, most of my shooting is done from a standing or kneeling position. I mostly train for quick short range engagements using double taps. I do need to do more long range practice, though. I also reviewed the main documentary on the subject and the Wolverines agree: magazine as support is good to go. http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/825/reddawng.png Placing the hand on the top handguard must make the sights a bit difficult to use, but I guess when you're ambushing Spetznaz in the mountains of Colorado you just don't have time to use the damn sights.... made me laugh. I don't use this method, but a buddy of mine did and it caused some jamming issues. Mags were those Bulgarian flat backs Copes was selling earlier last year. I usually just use the stands at the range, or go to a tactical bay and shoot while standing. My son (just turned 10) shoots my krink this way all the time. Never had an issue either. That rifle looks like it sways back and forth but he's pretty good.   not bad at 100yrds with an 8" barrel. He was 8 when I took these pics. |
|
Quoted:
made me laugh. I don't use this method, but a buddy of mine did and it caused some jamming issues. Mags were those Bulgarian flat backs Copes was selling earlier last year. Steel Bulgarian mags? Bulgaria did not make flat back steel mags, they would have been Chinese or Chugo. |
AK Sponsor