First Look: Swagger Steelbanger Bipod

With rapidly growing interest in precision-rifle competitions as well as casual plinking on steel at extended distances, accessory manufacturers across the industry are stepping up to offer options for precision-rifle owners to better-stabilize their platforms for more-accurate shooting. One of the latest options on the market comes from Swagger Bipods in the form of the company's Steelbanger.

Released alongside the company's hunting-oriented Stalker bipods, the Swagger Steelbanger Bipod is designed specifically for precision-rifle and tactical enthusiasts looking for an add-on to aid in building a stable shooting position. Attaching to any standard 1913 Picatinny rail, the innovative feature of the Swagger Steelbanger is found near the mounting point of the bipod. Consumers will note that both legs are attached to the Picatinny-rail mount with a flexible, spring-wrapped base. This design allows each leg to flex independently, while the spring provides resistance and also allows the legs to return to their original position, extending straight out from the base.

The benefit of this unique design found on the Swagger Steelbanger Bipod is that it allows shooters to quickly and easily settle onto uneven terrain without having to waste time with locked pivot or cant adjustments typically found on other bipod designs. The flexible, spring-loaded base also allows for a small degree of cant, enabling long-range shooters to shift toward different targets without having to re-adjust the bipod. The flexibility offered by this base also allows users to pull each leg away from the other, building a wider, more-stable base.

The ability of the Steelbanger to adapt to uneven terrain is also aided through the extended legs, each of which can be independently adjusted from 4 to 10 inches in overall length. A twist lock allows users to secure the legs into place once the correct height is found, and the legs can be adjusted with a single hand, ensuring shooters can maintain control of their firearm while solidifying their bipod.

When not in use or during transport, the each leg of the Steelbanger Bipod folds to a horizontal position, allowing the unit to rest as a low-profile addition along a rifle's fore-end. Each bipod weighs just 15 ounces, and the suggested retail price on the unit is $149.99.