GRS Bifrost Stocks

The latest Bifrost model from GRS is an advanced polymeric evolution of the characteristic designs we have come to know and love from this company.

Offering inlets for most common rifle actions, the Bifrost takes a step beyond the previous lightweight Berserk unit to show more integration of the homogenous structure, a more organic form to mould your gun’s metallic straight lines to the ergonomic needs of the human form.

Two halves are bonded and bolted together to form the stock and I had the Remington 700 short action model to suit my own test rifle, a 223 Wylde custom used for general vermin control. The stock’s underside and inlet are designed around the standard BDL floorplate for this rifle but whichever stock you specify will obviously come suited to the bottom metal of that rifle. Close inspection of the inlet shows extensive webbing within the structure, to aid stiffness and stability without excessive mass being added. I’m told that the 30-65% glass fibre reinforced composite material used is well suited to light machining that may be required if your gun requires specific modifications already in place.

The slim, half-inch thick recoil pad is quite soft and grippy yet exposes no internal hard points that will prove uncomfortable during and after the shot. The SpeedLock 2.0 system shows cheekpiece height adjustment of 30mm, with length of pull variable from 382mm (15-inches) down to 352mm (13¾-inches). The recoil pad itself offers 40mm of vertical adjustment, with interesting and incredibly comfortable rotational offset anywhere through 360-degrees in 5-degree increments. Everything is spring loaded and, although not totally silent, once set up, remains in position and needs no tools. The push buttons that pass through the stock from either side are quick clunky as well but also show equal solidity and can be accessed very easily.

Swell idea

Moving forward to the grip, shows GRS’s well-loved canted design with a hollow underside and inlaid rubber forming the slight palm swell, as well as offering an assured tactile hold on the surface here and similarly the forend. A standard underslung stud on the 57mm wide forend makes Harris bipod fitting simple and secure but if desired, a 55mm length of Picatinny rail is supplied that can be bolted on instead, for an Atlas Bipod or similar. Mounting points are present both sides of the forend too, so the twin screws can affix this piece or any optional extra rails you want for extra accessories.

With total rigidity and a barrel channel 30mm wide, free floating a heavy tube is no problem without any intermittent barrel contact and plenty to fill your hand’s grip when shooting unsupported. Although it’s hollow around the bedding screws, these areas of the stock show lateral Torx bolts spanning the width of the stock, to ensure that nothing will splay apart when you tighten your action into the stock but as always, I’d be tempted to glass/ epoxy bed any serious rifle build to maximise potential accuracy.

Fit up

My rifle slotted straight in, as promised and a recommended 5.2 Nm torque on the action screws showed it fitting centrally within the stock’s forend for a neat appearance. I liked the total adjustability and found the more-slender comb on this Bifrost to be significantly more comfortable than those fitted to GRS’s laminate models, which I feel make your head roll over too much. This had a squarer top and narrower base, so engaged the cheekbone, not the jawline and made me much happier, with better linear scope alignment. The underside has a deep butt hook with a further 55mm Picatinny mounting rail for mono pod etc. but still allowing plenty of space for a soft rear bag and plentiful room to operate such an accessory. I liked the ribbing to the surfaces in this area, to aid grip on the otherwise smooth Coyote coloured polymer, but I think it’s quite yellowy so the darker ‘Green’ seems preferable for a UK oriented field rifle.

Interestingly, the gun remained quiet when being handled, without undue hollow noise from any bumps or bangs, it was almost like Walnut in that respect, just a lot more durable and the polymer specification chosen by GRS is first rate in my opinion, with incredible stiffness imparted throughout where needed.

Last but not least, QR sling fixings are fitted within the butt hook and to the left side of the forend, allowing an extremely comfortable carry with a Biathlon sling of what is possibly going to be specified as a heavy rifle with large optic and multiple accessories. I was using the Bifrost with a night vision rig and extra illuminator, so handling was important to me. I dislike top-heavy, imbalanced guns and the GRS remained a stable shooting platform, allowing good gun fit without too much mass to makes improvised shots, in positions other than prone, difficult.

Conclusion

This is without doubt my favourite GRS stock; lightweight (1.35kg) yet stiff, adjustable yet not bulky, hollow polymer build yet quiet when handled and fit/ finish worthy of any rifle, as well as all the accessories you really need supplied. There are some left-handed options too.