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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Bals MK-1 Sniper Bean Bag
This is a very useful piece of equipment. I put these on all my tactical bolt action rifles. I've been caught without my bean bag several times for various reason in the past. Now, it's not a issue. Where the rifle goes, so does the bean bag. Works great for those trainings were you have to run between targets. Just secure the bungee cord and you're off. Highly Recommended!
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Excellent
An awesome product that fit onto my McMillan A4 perfectly. Couldn't be happier.
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The fine convenient bag
I very much like SKD Tactical production. I use many subjects. The fine convenient bag, competent form, easy viscous filler well holds a form and holds a rifle butt. Two situation (high and low). Reliable clamp on a butt. I and my friends (in Russia), we use a bag for several rifles. I recommend for your choice.
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good solid product,
Craftsmanship is great, doesn't work so well with a Magpul PRS without a little ingenuity. otherwise though a great product. True to the creed "Hard Core No BS Tactical Gear.." does what it does and stays where you put it.
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Great design, but not very stealthy
The BALS works as described, it attaches tightly to your stock and the method of strapping it up out of the way is rock solid. It's clever but simple, always a good combination in my opinion. One warning, though - the beanbag is filled with what feels like little plastic pellets, but it's only about 3/4 full, and the pellets rattle as they shift around. It's not like a coffee can full of bolts or anything, it just sounds like the bean bags in elementary school gym class. I don't think there's anything BALS LLC could do about it, with a sand sock the sock will stretch and deform as you squeeze it but obviously cordura is much less elastic. Just be forewarned if you're planning on using this in an environment where you need to sneak around.
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Simple and effective
This is one of those items you never appreciate until you own one. The fact that this bag attaches adds a little weight to the rifle, but pays of in its ease of use and knowing it's always there. A great addition to your kit for precision rifle work. Worth every dollar
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easier than keeping a sandbag in your pocket
Bals bean bag comes in very hand as it's always attached to the stock so it's there when you need it and locks out of the way when you don't. I use it for longer distance shooting and it can be manipulated to steady the gun through a very nice range of heights. I would buy this again and only reason for 4stars is it's a little noisy when the "beans" shift back and forth, not rain stick loud but still noticeable. (even better than my irritatingly loud mouthed mom harassing the honest and hard working gypsies who have been memorized by an amazingly beautiful double rainbow)
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Good product
The only thing I dont like is the horizontal piece that fits around the butt pad is not hook and loop adjustable. The Karsten on my rifle wont allow the BALS forward enough to take the slack out of it. The product would be 5x5 if it was adjustable. Other than that it works great.
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What a Difference!
I took my rifle out with the BALS MK-1 mounted on it for the first time today and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I’ve gone from groups measured in inches to one large hole. I wasn’t sure how compatible it would be with the Magpul PRS on my rifle but it works surprisingly well. However, you may have to give up or add a little bit more aft adjustment on the PRS to get the BALS MK-1 to sit securely behind the cheek riser.