The Grip Pod

This time we are going to take a look at what is referred to as the "grip-pod". As a brief description, a grip-pod is exactly what it sounds like; a forward grip and a bipod all wrapped up into one compact, lightweight package.


The typical grip-pod varies in price from anywhere between $86 for the law-enforcement model all the way up to $150 for the military model (which is metal reinforced for added durability). Buyer beware! While the price will stay relatively consistent around grip-pods from different manufacturers in the same model family (LE or Military), the quality of the product will vary DRASTICALLY! Here are a few things to be conscientious of while looking for a grip-pod;

• On cheap-o knockoffs the mounting bolt is very small in diameter and the threads will strip if you look at them wrong. Also, the head of the bolt will seem small.
• When the bipod is in the extended position, vigorously shake the whole assembly. There should be no rattling. The most likely cause of rattling is poor spring perch construction.
• Make sure it is metal reinforced if the grip-pod is advertised as being such. Check for this by looking at the underside of the legs while extended, you should see metal.

Here is a picture if the metal reinforcement;

Look over it with a fine toothed comb, use your head and find things that are either odd, or poor craftsmanship. Chinese knockoffs that are priced similarly are flooding the Internet and your local gun shows and as such, they are giving the good guys a bad name.


I picked one up at my local gun show for a steal (check out the story at the bottom for info on that) and here it is in partially exploded view (partially because I didn't want to remove the legs from the indexing assembly);

Here is what I liked about this grip-pod;

• Quality rated hardware
• Polymer feels better in the hands than the competition
• Integral side picatinny rail (haven't seen one with that feature since I got it and I have been looking)
• While it is technically a "knockoff" of the GPS grip-pod, it has an expansion slot on the front that accepts their accessory mounts
• Triple screw and keyed attachment of the side picatinny rail ensures same fitment every time.

Attachment of picatinny rail;

Here is where there is room for improvement;

• After using it for a while, it developed a slight spring noise when I shake the bejesus out of it. 
• The side picatinny rail blocks access to the expansion retainer so if you want to add that onto the front, you must first take off the side rail so pop the retainer out.
• It fits a picatinny rail, but not a weaver rail (I got mine to fit with a slight modification but it ain't pretty)

Here's a picture of the integral rail blocking the expansion retainer;

And the pieces I removed to fit to a weaver rail;

My Gun show Experience With the Grip-pod;

I was at a gun show recently perusing the aisles and I came across a vendor with stacks of grip-pods on his table all priced at $59! I thought to myself that it must be a good deal, he must be trying to reduce his inventory on that item. This was until I got one fresh out of the box and into my hand....

First thing I did was pushed the button to extend the bipod out of the grip and alas! ....nothing happened. The vendor told me that he had been using that one all day for demonstration (after un-taping the box and placing it in my hand...) and gave my one sitting on the table for passersby to finagle. that one at least opened.

After opening it I looked to see if it was metal reinforced and as I rotated it gingerly, the grip-pod made a sound like the spring was just sliding around inside the handle. Metal reinforcement was non-existent. I thanked the vendor for his time and told him I was going to shop around.

While walking for a few more aisles I started to think to myself how cool of an idea the grip-pod is but if the one I just held in my hands was really what it was, no thank you!

A few minutes passed and I passed another table with a lonely grip-pod sitting in the open position. I stopped with the intention of pointing out the flaws to whomever was behind the table...

I picked up the grip-pod confidently and flipped it over to see if it was reinforced. Not only was it metal... but the spring sound was nowhere to be found. So I shook it... hard... still nothing. It should also be noted at this point that the new grip-pod felt more hefty than the other one, the polymer feels good in the hands whereas the one from earlier that left a bad taste in my mouth wanted to slide right out of my grip. The hardware looked impressive and there was a bonus! This grip-pod had an integral side mounted three slot picatinny rail!

I asked the vendor how much and her answer blew me away.

"$30"

No promotion, It wasn't on clearance. $30 is their normal price and I thought that the price was way too low for the quality of the item. So I bought one. Now I am kicking myself because I should have bought 5 of the things knowing what I know now!!

Well, I think I might just do that! If you want one (or 5) check them out here;

The Optics Place