Bi-pod for M1A

[aippi]

I already have the bi-pod and it requires QD stud. My M1A does not have one and I have to drill and tap the stock for one. It was a explained by my Springfield rep that I simply drill out the front rivet on the forward sling plate and thread it for a QD stud. Looking at the stock I see the rivets are bonded. I have concerns about a DIY procedure that I have not done before nor have specific instructions for. It occured to me that since I am active on Shotgun forums and have helped hundreds of shotgun owners that someone on the rifle forum could help me out.

My question is has anyone done this and have some KISS instructions for this procedure specific the Springfield M1A stock. If so could you share them for the drilling out this rivet such as drill size. Which QD stud did you use. I have plenty of them from Speedfeed and Remington that simply screw into stocks but do not know the thread size and they don't seem appropriate as the threads are very course. Also, has anyone simply counter sunk a small nut and bonded over that instead of tapping the QD stud. This seems simple to do. If so, which QD stud did you use and what size nut fits it.

This is a synthetic stock.

[chino]

I installed a bipod on my M1A using this:

http://www.harrisbipods.com/HB2R.html

I removed the rivet by grinding it from the inside using a dremel tool.

[aippi]

Chino - I went back to my post and added that it is a synthetic stock. My Springfield rep was incorrect as there are no rivets, they are screws. I went out to the shop to look. I will look to see if that part you list could work. The synthetic stock seems so thin I am hestitant to dremil out any material. You would think that a $1,500 (not what I paid as I am an ffl dealer) would come with a forward QD for the bi-pods and a forward sling swivel or second QD for one. the bi-pod came off a 700 that I took in trade and that rifle had the two QDs forward on it. Thanks for the info.

[slopoke]

I used the Sadlak QD post on mine.

http://www.sadlak.com/si_qd_post_assy.html

[strongpoint]

i haven't done this yet, but i've shopped around a bit for what offerings are on the market right now. you might check out sadlak, which makes and sells several products that address the desire for a bipod, including a reinforced QD post assembly that replaces the stock swivel, as well as two models that add a front rail to the existing swivel -- one of which also includes a QD post.

none of these are prohibitively expensive on their own, although the package with the bipod and all the installation tools and accessories is a bit pricey. the instruction sheet (under "library" in the navigation bar) also might help illuminate the subject for you. good luck -- let us know how it goes.

[bender152]

I have a Versa-Pod rail on mine since I have a quick-detach rail mounted bipod.

The original plate was held in place with two rivets. I drilled them out with a drill and dremel. The Versa-Pod rail is held in place with two screws which fit in the existing rivet holes.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=KF150807

[X-NewYawker]

+1 on Sadlak. reinforces that very thin area of your stock.

[aippi]

Thanks guys. I am thinking a bi-pod that attaches to the rail most of you recommend is the way to go as it seems more secure. This negates the pi-pod I have which attaches to a a QD but I can see the advantge of going the other way.

My stock is synthetic and there are threaded inserts instead of rivets. I have several rails out in the shop that match up so I simply need to get two longer screws and a new bi-pod and it is a done deal.

[mceod]

I have a Versa-Pod rail on mine since I have a quick-detach rail mounted bipod.

The original plate was held in place with two rivets. I drilled them out with a drill and dremel. The Versa-Pod rail is held in place with two screws which fit in the existing rivet holes.



http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...rodID=KF150807

Mine looks like this, except it came from Fulton.

[armor2111]

bipod for m1a

the fulton armory set up with the arms mount trow lever was what im happy with. the instructions are simple and you have the luxury to remove the bipod with ease. you can also use bipod on other rifles that have picitany hand guards or similar rail systems on the bottom to alow the bipod.

[aippi]

I decided to make one as I had several types of pictinney rails in stock. I started with a Mesa Tactical Receiver Length rail for the 870. Two of the holes in the rail match the holes in the forward swivel. So I cut the rail off and then enlarged the holes so the screws would fit. I then got very lucky again and two longer screws that I think were from CDM Gear Brackets I have in stock turned out to be the perfect length and same threads as the inserts already in the stock. I then went to a friends shop and got a Quick Detach stud with fine threads and a nut. I drilled a hole for this QD. The fun came in as I had to make a counter sink on the back of the rail and then grind the nut down. I could not quite get it down enough so it would not touch the stock, so I simply used washers from some Mesa shell holder install kits and put them between the rail and the existing swivel plate and these brought the rail up just enough to fit.

I can now use the pi-pod I had in stock.