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If you enjoy the thrill of aggressive, open-country “spot-n-stalk” hunting, like to “ sit-them-out”, or simply want to add another 100 yards or more to your effective range in the field… then read-on and check-out this quick-detach gun pod by VANGUARD.

The VANGUARD Equalizer 2QS gun pod offers a lot of nice features. The 2QS was designed to be used in the sitting position, but I’ve also found it to be useful in my “half-kneeling” shooting position as well. To see how universal this detachable gun pod is I installed it on two different-style muzzleloader rifles…one rifle (the CVA Apex) having a contoured stock, and the other (CVA Kodiak Pro ) rifle having a “flatter”, more conventional shape to the forearm stock area. What’s nice about the 2QS is that it comes packaged with two mounting brackets.
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This allows you to install the mounting hardware on two different rifles without having to alternate between “mount-remove” “ mount- remove” from one rifle to the second. (This base conveniently includes a universal mounting hole to re-attach a rifle sling, and a sling can be added as well when the gun pod is attached to the rifle).

The 2QS is designed with a large buffer spring which helps to reduce shock and vibration, and the leg shoes can be adjusted quickly from rubber footing to spikes
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which may be especially helpful in snow or icy conditions. When the pod legs are folded they remain close together locked in place when not in use, and are easily unlocked and opened-up
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by pulling down on the locking mechanism in the direction of the white arrow, then are relocked when fully extended. The length of the legs can to custom-adjusted and extended to a maximum pod height of 28 1/8” with their simply, twist-style locking mechanism.

The pod packaging comes with all the necessary hardware including an allen wrench for the supplied metric bolts. The only other hand tool you need is a Philips head screw driver. [ SPECIAL NOTE: I replaced the 4 supplied mounting bolts(M4 x 0.70mm X 12mm) with longer bolts (M4 x 0.70 X 16mm).
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The longer bolts were better for two reasons...much easier to line up the bolt threads with the thread holes, and flexibility when mounting the hardware onto contoured forearms like that found on the APEX.]

I’ll start with installing the 2QS on the Apex. I first removed my rifle sling and attacked the “first stage” mounting hardware to the sling anchor hole.
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Next I installed the pod’s mounting base hardware (to the first stage hardware) which can remain on the stock when the pod legs are removed. Although the base mount is firmly attached to the APEX stock, the base mount does not lie parallel to the barrel on the APEX. The pitch effect is better shown when the pod is attached to the base.
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You can leave the pod installation on the APEX as shown and it will work fine, or (using the 16mm bolts) do like I did and shim the base hardware at one end to” level-out” the gun pod as shown. (NOTE: You can probably shim with any material, but I used a thick, flat rubber washer I had lying around to shim the base). The shim I used did not lessen the ability to firmly mount the base hardware, and the result of using a leveling shim is shown below.
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I next went through the same installation procedure with the Kodiak Pro.
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FIRST STAGE HARDWARE(fits inside Base Mount)
(NOTE: Not sure why the manufacturer went with a Philips head bolt for this first stage of installation. A bolt with the same head as the supplied allen wrench would have eliminated the need for a second tool)
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SECOND STAGE BASE MOUNT HARDWARE
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Once the mounting hardware is installed on the stock, you can simple switch the pod from one rifle to the other with a few twists of the wrist.
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I could have used the supplied 12mm mounting bolts for this rifle, but again the longer, 16mm’s I purchased for $0 .55/ea. from the local hardware made installation much, much easier and a breeze. Amazing what a difference only 4mm can make.

If you often find yourself aiming freehand from a sitting position, the VANGUARD 2QS would be a very useful tool to help get the job done. Since the 2QS gun rest is attached directly to your rifle, it frees-up your other hand from having to carry and position the rest in the field. The 2QS is portable, versatile in design, well made, and hunter-friendly(quiet). It can give you that rock-solid hold you want when the time comes, and can help you lock onto your target quicker …especially on those long range shots that are so commonplace in the open country.

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UPDATE: 2QS and CVA stocks: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

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MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS AND DETAILS:
• Extended height(mm):715
• Folded height(mm):277
• Weight(g):440
• Extended height(inch):28 1/8
• Folded height(inch):10 7/8
• Weight(lbs):0.96
• Yoke type:
• Swivel range:
• Main material: Aluminum alloy

VANGUARD offers the Equalizer in three different models to suit your hunting style. The Equalizer 1QS is designed for shooting in the prone position, the Equalizer 2QS for sitting, and the Equalizer 3QS for kneeling. For more information on the Equalizer Series and other models, you can visit the VANGUARD website at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] .

hole smokes!! Thanks a lot marty, this is exactly what i have been looking for! The molded in swivel studs on the cva stocks always threw me off when looking for a bi pod, this looks like it will be great. I may have to pick one up if i can draw my new mexico tag.

Now we're talking Marty. That's what i've been looking for too. It should fit the Omega good.

How much?

Ok, I found the price for the Equalizer 3 for the kneeling position.

The normal price is $79.95, and I see them on sale for $59.00 if you can find one in stock.

I'm getting one for sure before next hunting season.

Thanks again Marty.

Hey Marty, how aboot some pictures of this bi pod set up and in action? I'd really like to see a view of it on the rifle.


Man i especially like how you can remove the rubber foot pads and use it with this spikes. Thats great for hard ground or even rocky ground.

Whats the price on these? Went to their website but didn't see prices.

I think they are $70 or $80

Marty,

Great review You gave us all the info on the item that was needed. THANKS

I wonder how it will change the balance of the gun if you needed to take an offhand shot? It weighs 1 lb.

Marty i got the bi pod today.

I just want to warn others, Do NOT use these on CVA stocks with the fore arms that have the plastic built in sling studs. Tightening down on the mounting block on these stocks will break the sling stud plastic. I now have 2 rifles with broken sling studs

Another note, in order to get the mount to fit the stock design, modification was needed with a grinder in order to line up with the holes in the sling stud.

Better that it happened to my rifles than yours i guess.

should work like a charm on an omega. The built in plastic loop hole sling studs on the cva stocks are just a huge weak point in being able to mount a bi pod

bi pod it self is freakin nice though

leave me alone!! It fits nice on the Apex