BALS Mk-2, Gen 2
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-2 Sniper Bean Bag 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 with straight combs, including most factory Bolt Gun stocks, and stocks from Manners, Bell & Carlson, HS Precision and McMillan.
The rifle bean bag on the MK-2 is incorporated with the popular Stockmate Rifle Pack design from PIG, and it stores 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. At 100 yards, the standard bean bag (included) allows the shooter about 30' in elevation variation from the lowest (horizontal) to highest (vertical) arrangement.
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. The location of the bag also serves as a perfect counterbalance to barrel heavy precision rifles.
The MK-2's Cheek Rest has 1 layer of integrated foam like the PIG Stockmate Rifle Pack for a comfortable shock isolating cheek weld. The Bean Bag can be removed or replaced. The standard BALS Bag supplied with Mk-1 & Mk-2 BALS units measures: 3" x 2" x 4" / Weight (approximate): 8 oz.
The following are the specifications for Enlarged BALS that may be ordered and installed:
Sizes:
- Med BALS Bag: 3.5" x 2.5" x 4.5" / Weight (approximate): 14 oz.
- Large BALS Bag: 4" x 3" x 5" / Weight (approximate): 19 oz.
- XL BALS Bag: 4" x 3" x 6" / Weight (approximate): 24 oz.
The MK-2 Sniper Bean Bag with Stock Pack is proudly made in the USA with the finest materials and manufacturing available. The rifle bean bags are filled with lightweight waterproof poly-fill, and constructed of 1000 Denier Cordura.
Whether you are on a dog hunt or using your rifle professionally, a Bean Bag or Rifle Rest 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-2 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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Very useful!
I exclusively use the BALS MK-2 at the range and on deployments as a SWAT marksman. Steady, compact, and ALWAYS THERE. Been using it for over a year. The beanbag stows out of the way with a sturdy, secure piece of elastic. The velcro straps and buttstrap are sturdy; it doesn't slide around. The zipper pouch has room for a boresnake and a couple more small items. If you use a 6-9" bipod, the BALS MK-2 is perfect by itself. Anything taller, and you'll likely need some additional height. A piece of unused gear or something picked up on the way to your hide should fit the bill; just test it. PROS: Well-constructed and engineered, stands up to hard use, and it WORKS! CONS: Put the 5th cartridge loop back on; it'll fit. Consider adding a side sling loop; many snipers/marksmen find side-mounted slings easier to use in the field.
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Looks good
I like the look and feel of the bean bag setup. Cheek rest is very nice. Bean bag doesn't seem like it will work well with a bipod over 6" in length. Need to get a new bipod that is 3"-6"
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I like it.
It's nice having everything attached to your rifle. It's well made too. The pouch is really small, so I can't fit my data book in it. I can keep my ballistic chart in there folded though. Buy some rite in the rain paper, print out your charts, and be happy. I don't think the ball sack (lol) will be too effective using your bipod at greater than 6"; it's a small bag and if you want to aim at a negative angle you need to use your hand under the bag. But I do like it. Our precision rifles are already heavy; what's a few more ounces for extreme convenience? My biggest suggestion for change is to make the ammo loops internal in the pouch and reverse the zipper pull. The pouch is too small for most uses so why not protect and conceal the ammo?
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Can,t do everything
Works great up to the point that the bean bag no longer contacts an anchor point. As they say, it's much better than the stuff you left at home. Wouldn't recommed it over the non-bean bag rifle stock version for hunting or highly mobile operations. Within it's limits it works well.
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Nice idea !
The cheek pad and pouch are perfect, but the bean bag itself is a bit small and doesn't have quite enough fill to level the common 6" bipod. Optional different sized bags or the ability to add or remove fill from the bag would make this a must have product.
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I expected a better item for the price.
Bean bag is small but would be acceptable if it had an adequate amount of filling, it does not. Side pocket is also to small. It's only big enough for credit card sized data information cards. It would be nice if the bullet loops were inside the pocket. I've been tempted to return this item. I'm disappointed with this product.