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This week I review Vanguard’s Equalizer 1QS bipod.
Specifications (from Vanguard’s website):
- Equalizer QS has a picatinny rail system that allows shooters to attach and detach firearms faster than ever. Hunters appreciate its quick leg deployment. Its Pull and Position leg adjustment system enables you to quickly and safely reposition. A buffer spring reduces shock and vibration while providing a solid shooting base. It has a pivot tilt of 0 to 5 degrees and a -30 to +30-degree swing angle. Equalizer QS takes on an array of terrains with feet that convert from metal spikes to rubber. Equalizer 1QS is designed for prone position shooting.
- Has a picatinny rail quick shoe system for extremely fast attachment
- Buffer spring provides solid shooting
- Bonus 2nd picatinny rail quick shoe for quick attachment to other firearms
The flat base of the bipod rests on the bench.
A close up of the flat base.
The Equalizer 1QS in use on a CZ 527 American in .204 Ruger.
Easy on, easy off.
Another close up – note the convertible rubber feet/spikes.
The Equalizer 1QS on a Savage 93R17 in .17 HMR.
Manufacturer’s Customer Service: Not used, not rated.
General notes: Even though my true love is bowhunting I’m no stranger to varmint shooting. In the mid-90’s we used to make annual trips to Montana, Washington or Oregon in pursuit of “sage rats”, ground squirrels and prairie dogs. So there is one thing I want to point out about rifle mounted bipods. The shorter ones like the 1QS make a person think of getting down on the ground in the prone position to shoot. Even back then before I reached my 30’s it didn’t take many shots for that to get old. The neck is tired (and actually painful after a day), the back is tired and the front is filled with cactus spines, ants and dirt. The shorter bipods like the 1QS are best for 1-2 shots in a prone position at extra-large varmints or long-term shooting from a bench. Consider Vanguard’s 2QS or 3QS for a day’s worth of shooting from the sitting position without the pain.
There is something decidely different about that varmint. Oh yeah, about 15 years.
Quality
I appreciate great products. Even before I opened the package I could tell by the heft, appearance and description that I was likely to be pleased with the Equalizer. I also appreciate products that are well built, but intuitive to use. Again, without an initial reading of the directions I knew exactly how to attach and use the bipod except for one thing – the extra shoe. Who knew these days that a company would actually include an extra of anything? I did have to consult the directions to make sure I understood that. If a person had two rifles with traditional stocks and one or more “evil black rifles” the one bipod would actually service 3 or more rifles. That’s pretty cool. Mrs. dustyvarmint has yet to buy me one of those neat little tactical .22’s that have the picatinny rail so I just stuck with my CZ 527 American in .204 Ruger and a Savage 93R17 in .17 HMR. The 1QS performed flawlessly and reliably on both. Pros: Ruggedly and reliably designed and built, extra shoe, clever attachment design, convertible rubber feet or spikes, buffer spring. Cons: Possibly a tad on the expensive side.
Reliability
This bipod is well built. Each shoe has a removable channel containing a Phillips head screw that is held in place by two hex head screws (wrench included). The Phillips head screw goes through the channel and the rifle’s forward sling-swivel stud. The padded shoe is attached to that. Then the bipod is attached to the shoe. No movement or loosening of this connection system was noticed during a recent trip to the range which included intentionally closing the rifles and installed bipods in foam lined cases, several hundred rounds of shooting and transport to and around the range. For this review I made a trip to a local shooting range and prepared my rifles for an upcoming trip to North Dakota where varmint shooting is on the recreation list. During shooting I did notice and appreciate the buffer spring’s dampening effect. Also, in order to provide a more stable shot I would set the feet on the shooting bench and pull back slightly against the pivot. While recoil from the pivot might not be the best follow through technique I was pleased with it. I truly appreciated the convertible feet, from spike to rubber, and feel this feature is just another of several in a well-though-out design. The wind was extremely bad on this day so shooting conditions were not the greatest. However, the bipod performed well and I was satisfied that my initial impressions were valid.
Price/Value
Around $79.99 street price.
Referability
My only reservation for referral to friends and family would be price.
