Front Sleds Stabilize ARs and Rifles with Narrow Forearms
Whidden Gunworks offers a nicely-engineered “bolt-on” front plate that will enhance the bench-rested accuracy of any rifle with an accessory rail on the forearm.
The new Whidden Track Plate fits securely in the forearm accessory rail on prone, cross-the-course, and Palma rifles. These guns typically have a narrow and/or rounded fore-end so they rock and wobble when used with a front pedestal rest. The TrackPlate cures that. Once installed it provides a rock-solid, 2.9″-wide platform that mates perfectly with a benchrest-type front sandbag. This gives sling-shooters maximum stability when testing loads or zeroing their sights or scope. Plus you can now shoot F-Class competitively with a prone gun.
The Track Plate is light-weight, has catamaran-style runners to aid tracking and prevent rocking, and can be easily stowed in a range bag. The Track Plate fits BOTH Anschutz and American style forends and is made in the USA of machined aluminum. The Track Plate is available from Whidden Gunworks for $35.99 or from Champion’s Choice for $37.00 (item W29P).
Plate designer (and National LR Rifle Champion) John Whidden says: “The Plate is great for any rifle with a rail whether it ís smallbore, centerfire, or an air gun. Now you can try F-Class with your favorite prone rifle: the Plate has a perfect low-drag finish for riding a rest or sandbags and is competition legal in all dimensions.”
Front Bag-Rider for AR-15s from EGW
Similar to the Whidden Track Plate is a 3″-wide Delrin bag-rider from Evolution Gun Works (EGW). This was developed expressly to fit the fore-ends of AR15-type rifles with round float tubes. The EGW front bag-rider attaches to a front sling swivel stud anchor. That allows it to mount as easily as a Harris bipod — no rail needed! Just unscrew the swivel stud, put the front bag-rider in place and attach one hex-head machine screw. The front bag-rider is contoured to match the handguard profile so it fits securely with no wobble. (There is also a rear bag-rider that attaches via the sling swivel anchor). Overall, it is a slick system. Front and rear bag-riders can be attached in a couple of minutes. The Delrin blocks slide easily in the bags and make the gun ultra-stable. The gun tracks straight back. Front and rear EGW Bag-rider blocks are sold as a set for $74.99 (product ID 32141-32142), and you can buy the front or rear unit separately for $35.00 each. EGW also separately offers a $49.99 front AR bag rider for Picatinny rails (Product ID 32143).
EGW AR Bag-Rider System (Front and Rear)
EGW Picatinny Rail-Attached Front Bag-Rider
Couldn’t find any Bag-Rider at EGW’s site. Is there a direct link to the product?
Mike,
The front bag-rider is a relatively new product, developed by Robert Whitley for our 20 Practical AR project. It’s found under AR15 parts:
http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53&products_id=295
John came up with a really great design with the Track Plate. I had already received one before it was posted on here. It is a simple yet very effective design. Good JOB John!
The EGW is on their site. Look for the Bag Rider under the AR15 Space gun parts.
ERIC