I wanted to build a mid-range 5.56 NATO AR setup that was capable of hits out to 500 yards. During the build process, I determined that a well-built bipod was a necessity. My research lead me to the MDT GRND-POD, and I have not been disappointed.
The Brownells exclusive MDT GRND-POD is a great addition to any long-range platform. Using a combination of aluminum, polymer, and carbon fiber, the team at Modular Driven Technologies(MDT) has built a lightweight and durable bipod that performs. Advertised by MDT as a “Premium quality bipod, without a premium price tag,” the MDT has rock-solid stability.
Having now used this bipod for a few months, I can say that after a few hiccups with the mounting solution, I am very happy with the results.
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What Makes the MDT GRND-POD so Great
The MDT GRND-POD has all of the features that one wants when it comes to bipods. It is adjustable for both cant and height and has four locking positions. All of the leg and cant adjustments are designed to be operated one-handed, and the feet are Atlas/Ckye-Pod compatible.
The cant is adjustable up to 40 degrees, making it ideal for getting your rifle level on uneven terrain. The cant is changed using a locking lever positioned on the back of the bipod. Turning it clockwise locks it into position while counter-clockwise unlocks it. The cant locking lever position is adjustable by simply pulling back the lever and indexing it where you want.
Related Article: Is Sight Height Really That Important?
The legs have four locking positions: 0°, 50°, 90°, and 180°. The 0-degree position is a great storage option, keeping the legs folded up and out of the way. The 50-degree position works well for shooting at difficult angles. Lastly, the 180-degree position works great for storage and getting the bipod out of the way when pushing up tight against a barrier for support. At 90 degrees, the footprint is 7.9-10.9 inches, depending on the leg height; at 50 degrees, the footprint is slightly smaller, at 6.5-9 inches.
The legs are height adjustable from 4.5 to 9 inches tall and are made out of a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber. The adjustments are the easiest out of the bipods that I have tried. There is no need to rotate a small thumb screw to lock and unlock each height, like in some brands. Simply pull the bottom of the legs out and deploy them to the height you desire. To retract the legs, depress the spring-loaded thumb latch on the side of each leg and move it to the desired position.
The Brownells Exclusive GRND-POD
So, what’s different about the Brownells’ exclusive GRND-POD? The mounting system. The versatility of the 17S mounting system allows you to adapt it quickly to any rifle platform. 17S uses two mounting holes 1 9/16″ apart and a channel width that is STANAG standardized. That means that there are a ton of mounting options available. I chose to use a quick-detach, or QD, the system that allows me to switch between Picatinny and ARCA rails.
Will the Magpul QR Rail Grabber Work for the MDT GRND-POD?
Yes and no. The Magpul QR Rail Grabber is a quick detach mounting plate designed for 17S platforms. Advertised as working on any product with an A.R.M.S. 17S footprint, this isn’t necessarily true. The rail grabber has a lip or ridge on the front and back of the 17S channel that interferes with the MDT bipod mount. You must either mill or file that ridge off to make it work. So yes, it will work, but not without some machining.
Neither the GRND-POD bipod nor QR Rail Grabber came with mounting screws, so a trip to the hardware store was required. The thread for the bipod mounting screws is 10-32.
Purchase the MDT GRND-POD through Brownells and save 10% using coupon code “KTG10”.
Final Thoughts on the MDT GRND-POD
The Brownells’ exclusive MDT GRND-POD is extremely versatile and, when combined with a QD mounting plate, will allow me to switch between Picatinny and ARCA mounting systems. While getting it initially set up was a headache, the end result is everything I hoped for: a rock-solid and extremely versatile bipod. This is currently set up on my RECCE/SPR style AR rifle but will eventually serve on my long-range bolt action rifle platforms.
Written by: Kurt Martonik
Kurt is a Gunsmith, Reloader, Hunter, and Outdoorsman. He grew up in Elk County, Pennsylvania, where he became obsessed with the world of firearms. Following high school, Kurt enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Boom Operator, where he eventually rose to the position of Instructor. After his military service, he attended the Colorado School of Trades(CST) in Lakewood, CO for gunsmithing. Following graduation, he accepted a job at C. Sharps Arms in Montana, where he worked as a full time stockmaker and gunsmith.