Overview
After building the rifle for NRL22, based on the AR platform and running it through its first match, I decided to acquire the remaining accessories needed: Support bags. Support bags are crucial for NRL22 as they provide stability and precision during shooting. They help shooters maintain steady aim and reduce rifle movement. By providing a reliable rest, support bags enhance stability in various shooting positions, making them essential for competitors.After much research, and quick testing (thanks fellow fellow NRL22 shooters), I decided on the Area 419 bags. Lets see how they worked out in the following match.
Costs
Item: Area 419 GripChanger
Price: $150.00 USD
Vendor:https://www.area419.com/product/the-gripchanger-from-area-419-and-armageddon-gear/
Item: Area 419 RailChanger Shmedium Bag
Price: $110.00 USD
Vendor: https://www.area419.com/product/railchanger-shmedium-from-armageddon-gear/
Item: RailChanger Arm/Clamp Combo
Price: $100.00 USD
Vendor: https://www.area419.com/product/railchanger-arm-clamp-combo/
*Prices listed are as of purchase time. Prices subject to change at vendor discretion.
**Vendor(s) identified are only listed to show where I sourced the item(s) from.
Intent
Obtain shooting support bags suitable for NRL22 and other potential rifle competitions in the future.
My Perspective
I am very confused about who makes these products. Looking at the Area 419 website, it says “The GripChanger – From Area 419 and Armageddon Gear”, while the RailChanger Shmedium says “RailChanger Shmedium from Armageddon Gear”. To complicate matters further, there are other models named the RailChanger and the RailChanger OG, each identified as “…From Area 419, Armageddon Gear and Reasor Precision” and “…from Armageddon Gear”, respectively.
Looking directly on the Armageddon Gear website, none of the products are listed. Looking at the Reasor Precision website, they do have “Game Changer” bags that look very similar to RailChanger bags, without the slot for the RailChanger arm. At the very least, it is a collaboration, with Area 419 as the vendor. But, lets get in to the bags.
RailChanger Arm/Clamp Combo
This is the metal and clamp that connect your bag to the arca rail of your rifle. A necessity, if you want to use these bags in an attached fashion. The arm plus clamp is $100 but can be found as a combo with the bag, typically for a $5 savings. The arm is solid and the arca clamp has a nice thumb screw to securely grip to the arca rail. I have never had an issue with it coming loose, unless I wanted it to.
For both the GripChanger and the RailChanger, if you have one arm, you can remove it and put it in the other bag as needed. I find it easiest to have one arm for each bag, just so I don’t have to worry about remembering to change, as needed, between strings.
Area 419 GripChanger
The GripChanger has two different options. You can get it with the arm that has an arca lock on it, or without the arm. Without the arm will save you $95, but the arm itself costs $100, so if you need the arm, buy them together.
The bag is tight and well stuffed and works well when you need a steady shot in tight spaces, but those spots are pretty rare. I have brought it to two matches now and honestly only used it once, but never felt I needed it. The NRL22 match formats change every month though, so maybe there will be several matches in a row where I find I do “need” it, in the future.
Area 419 RailChanger Shmedium Bag
This bag is a beast. Weighing 7 pounds, it is best to hold your rifle in one hand, and the bag in the other, when it is attached to your rifle with the arca clamp. I don’t have concerns about it pulling stitches apart, I more worry about it pulling my arm off. One nice thing about the RailChanger is that it is a great support bag on its own. If you have a NRL22 stage where you are moving from location to location, and one location needs a bag but the other doesn’t, you can just remove the arm before the match starts, and leave the bag at the first location. A very flexible and worthwhile investment.
Conclusion
Based on my experiences so far, I would say that the GripChanger is pretty optional. If you have another small bag, or heck, even a sock with rice in it, you can make do without it. That is all highly dependent on the match stages though. I am sure a match day will come that I will be glad I have it, and I can be confident it will do its job well.
The RailChanger is definitely in my “must have” kit. There are strings in every match where it is usable, even if I don’t need it attached directly to the rifle. It is one of those items that once you have it, you will not know how you managed without it.
I will also note that the RailChanger has several different models. There is the Shmedium, which I have, the OG, and the plainly named “RailChanger”. Each have different options, sizes, and weights, so do your research in to what will work best for you. Better yet, get out to a match and ask other competitors if you can see, or even try theirs.