Leapers UTG Tactical OP-1 Bipod Review Model TL-BP78

Leapers Bipod Review, UTG Bipod Review, OP-1 Review, TL-BP78 Review
The next item I reviewed is the Leapers UTG (Under The Gun) Tactical OP-1 Bipod.  I currently own several taller bipods, but I wanted a bipod that keeps a lower profile when shooting from a bench.  I have been pleased with the many other UTG products I own and feel this would be another good item to review.  My initial examination of their new bipods indicates another potential successful product.  You can take a look at all of the Leapers UTG bipods by looking at this link.  You can find this bipod at CheaperThanDirt.com today for  $21.97 plus S&H.  Other places on the web have it for as high as $34.

The next couple of photos show what you get when you purchase the bipod.

The next photos show you what is on the outside of the box.

The last marketing photo I want to show is of two pages from their Owner's Manual.  It provides some basic views and features of the bipod.  Remember, you can always click on a photo to bring up a higher resolution image.

One of the first things I liked with this bipod is that you can use it with either a swivel stud or picatinny rail and you don't have to purchase an additional adapter.  The adapter is included.  I also liked the concept of the picatinny rail configuration as the standard configuration and the adapter is needed to convert it to a swivel stud.  Most of my tactical/plinking rifles already have rails and this means I can install the adapter on my hunting rifle.  I believe this will allow fewer adapter moves in the future.

The adapter is actually 4 pieces as shown below.

Locking Nut                Swivel Stud Adaptor          Locking Pin

Swivel Stud Mount - The area where the mount touches the stock is covered with a layer of rubber to prevent damage to your stock.

You slide the swivel stud adaptor over your swivel stud, then screw the locking pin in place.  Since the locking pin will be captured inside the locking nut, I think finger tight is sufficient for the locking pin.

Next you place the swivel stud mount over the  swivel stud adapter.

Last, you screw the locking nut tight against the swivel stud mount which secures the mount on the stock.  I actually found this to be very quick to install.  As you can see, this is not rocket science, but is is a good way to secure the adapter.  So far, this looks like good engineering by UTG.

Once the adapter is installed on your rifle, installing the bipod is simple.  Also, you still have a swivel stud remaining for your sling.

While doing this review, I remembered that my son's Ruger Charger came with a bipod similar to this size.  If I were to purchase his bipod today, it would cost over double that of this UTG bipod.  I decided to add a couple of photos so you can compare them directly.  I'm really struggling with why there is such a cost difference between these two bipods.  Overall complexity and number of parts is similar.

Other Manufacturer Top, UTG Bottom

Other Manufacturer                        UTB OP-1

The next several photos are of more detail on the specific components in the UTG OP-1 bipod.

The nut used to tighten the rail clamp can not be turned off.  This is a good thing because it prevents the possibility of dropping and loosing parts.

The thumb wheel shown below can be used to adjust the leg length to any intermediate position between full in and full out.  By pressing the bent piece of metal, the section of bipod leg will pop right back in if it is at it's fully out position.

I decided to confirm the heights stated on the box.  The box stated that the range of the bipod was from 6.1" to 7.9" measured to the bottom of the picatinny rail interface.  My actual measurements were 6.1" to 7.6".  Clearly it is not 7.9", but I don't think this is a big deal.

Now for the weight. The bipod weighs 0.724 lbs and the adapter weights 0.138 lbs.

Next I mounted the bipod on my FNAR lower rail and adjusted the legs from fully retracted to fully extended.  I also rotated the rifle some to see the top pivot flex.  The top interface of the bipod is pretty stiff on the top portion of the bipod, but when you attach it to a rifle, it will flex easily.  It is not designed with a lot of pivot rotation, but it does have some.

Bottom Line: 
When you consider the fact that you also get an adapter which allows you to use it on both a swivel stud and picatinny rail, this is a real bargain.  I paid $10 for a single adapter for one of my Harris Bipods.  I don't see how UTG can make a bipod like this for the price.  I think UTG should update their literature to reflect the full out height of 7.6", not 7.9", but this is not a big deal.  Would I recommend this product?  Without a doubt.

Update 12/24/10:
I added the photo below to show the bipod when in the closed position.