BALS Mk-1, Gen 2
by Joe
BALS MK-1 Sniper Bean Bag - I still smile every time I use this thing- so simple, so effective. The idea first came from a long range class back several years ago where the instructor was talking about a personal experience where leaving a piece of kit behind on a real-world mission in Iraq almost compromised his team. Every other bean bag on the market is a separate piece of kit that needs to be retrieved when needed, and policed when finished... mount it on the stock and voila! Keep your eyes peeled for new products from B.A.L.S. in the near future! View More SKD Staff Picks
Featured in the July 2009 issue of American Rifleman
- 18 lb Cast Iron Rifle Rest with micro-adjustable feet? Check.
- 2.5 lb Corn-filled Sock for a Rear Stock Bag? Check.
- Humping either of these items with you into the field on a real world mission?
NOT SO CHECK.
In the precision rifle world, there are a lot of Rifle Rests that are full of promises, but at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself which ones will be with you to help you make the critical shot in the field. Now you can always count on one benchrest item being with you all the time- the Sniper Bean Bag from BALS.
The MK-1 from Ballistic Adjustment Leveling Systems, LLC. (BALS) is the answer to precision marksmen who want the functionality of a Rifle Rest, without the inconvenience and hassle of having to carry one and store it everywhere they go. The Patent Pending design allows for simple installation onto a wide variety of stocks, including most factory Bolt Gun stocks, and stocks from Manners, Bell & Carlson, HS Precision and McMillan. The MK-1 will also fit on standard M16 A1 and A2 stocks, as well as the Accuracy International AICS and Magpul PRS.
The Rifle Bean Bag on the MK-1 is cleverly mounted up with a stock harness that stores it conveniently up against the rearmost part of the stock, and can be silently released for immediate usage. When deployed, the rifle bean bag can lay horizontally or vertically via a slider, to maximize the range of adjustment. The Bean Bag can be removed or replaced. A larger bean bag will be available late Spring of 2013. Whether in storage or operational mode, the rifle bean bag does not interfere with the shooter's cheek weld, and it does not interfere with off-hand shooting.
You can buy a good rifle bean bag, but whether you are on a dog hunt or using your rifle professionally, it can't help you if you forget to bring it or can't set it up in time. We like to say that a Rifle Rest on the gun is worth ten on the bench.
The MK-1 Sniper Bean Bag is proudly made in the USA with the finest materials and manufacturing available. The bean bags are filled with lightweight waterproof poly-fill, and constructed of 1000 Denier Cordura.
The MK-1 Sniper Bean Bag will provide years of valuable service and finally give your rifle the one thing it really needs... BALS.
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Reviews
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A necessary piece of equipment.
If you are involved in long range precision shooting at all, you definitely need one of these. It is very handy, unobtrusive, and really helps you make precision shots.
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MK-1
An excellent piece of equipment. I used a monopod for two years before trying the MK-1 and wish I'd tried it sooner. It deploys and attaches quickly and easily. I have not found the noise from the bag fillers to be an issue at all. The only upgrade I would suggest would be to make the pull tab used to release and deploy the bag a bit larger so that it is easier to grab with gloves.
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Get One
I shoot an AI AE MkII with a folding stock. I've been using various beanbags, folded jackets, whatever is handy and somewhat giving to fire from the recommended position, that is, with your off-hand placed under the stock. The BALS Mk-1 sniper bean bag is one of the handiest things that I believe I could hang on that weapon. When I need it - it's there. When I don't, it stores out of the way without getting in the way. There could be a little more give in the stowage/attachment strap, but that's probably a function of the set up on the rifle and similarly-shaped stocks. If I could get the Mk-2 to work on my stock, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It simply won't work on an AI folding stock. Rats.
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BALS bags is the bomb!!!
I have been using the BALS MK-1 bag now for over a year. It has replaced all other rear supports I previously used. It is secure when not in use and I do not notice any additional weight. I found it to be quiet as well. I no longer need to keep a monopod attached to my rifle or carry other rear support bags in my backpack. This is not only the perfect item for sniper rifles but every hunting rifle should have one as well. You never know when you'll need the support.
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Great product you didn't know you needed.
After fiddling with about everything I could get my hands on out in the field for years (chunks of wood, rolled up jackets, hats, gloves, dirt, sand etc.) when I would forget a monopod or rear bag, I ordered one of these BALS MK-1 Bean Bags. It's great. They are small, unobtrusive and it stays with the rifle or I can just keep it my drag bag. It's just the right size and works extremely well.
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Usefull, perfect, hard to find.
Great product, I can use it for sighting in, and leave it on. Transfer to another firearm. WOW really kool, light weight. Unique product, Can't wait to get the MK-2... Also seems to be pricker proof, water resistant. I'll check that when I aquire the MK-2...Buy 1!
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Every shooter needs one!
Extremely simple. Extremely versatile. Lightweight, yet durable. The product arrived almost instantly and has been on many rifles since. In the cactus and dirt or on the bench, you can't beat the B.A.L.S.!!!
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Super Steady
With this attached you can rest the rifle in position for very long periods of time. When the time to take the shot comes just squeeze the rear support bag to get final elevation, and your off hand is still able to make minor windage corrections. The stability of the shot is like shooting with top of the line bench rest sets. Just be sure to test this at all angles with your Bipod. I actually found myself shooting a much shorter bipod than when I was just using my off hand on my A5 stock.
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Works Great
This is the next best thing to having a bench in the field. Mine has found itself at home on my varmint rifle, and really steadies the stock for making long shots.