U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- Gun vises are almost essential for scope mounting, maintenance, and cleaning of our firearms. For that purpose, the folks at Tipton designed several models to meet most users’ requirements. From their very basic range vise to their ultra gun vise, the Tipton products were the “standards” by which all others were measured.
However, there was one problem. Most firearms owners have a limited amount of space with which to perform their work. With reloading presses, powder throwers, and primer pocket swaggers all mounted on their bench, not to mention die sets, powder containers, and the usual assortment of smaller items……….. there was always a problem “pushing stuff” out of the way to put the gun vises on the bench. And, after we were finished with our work, the vise went back on the floor or under the bench. Bottom line, as great as the vises are, their size presented a problem for their use.
Tipton Ultra Gun Vise
It took a while, but Tipton finally solved the problem. They designed and produced (after a lot of trials and error) the free-standing gun vise. We say trial and error because, despite all their efforts, the existing tripod shooting rests could not be adapted to handle a proper vise. The tripod rests were just too weak and unstable, given the weight of the vise PLUS the firearm. To say that the Tipton standing vise is robust is an understatement. This beauty weighs in at nearly 20 pounds….that is more than 7 pounds greater than the Caldwell Magnum Field Pod.
Of course, we are talking about the stand, not the included modular vise. The stand is constructed from heavy gauge tubular steel. The four legs are 1.5” in diameter while the horizontal cross members are 0.88” in diameter and the steel plates on each end are 0.17” thick. As we said, this is one very robust unit. It will easily hold the heaviest rifle on the market today, without any wobbling. The legs are collapsible for storage and/or transit, but this unit was designed to permanently be upright by your bench for ready-access.
The Tipton Ultra Gun Vise on this stand is modular (those purchased separately have their own frame).
The Tipton modules are constructed with glass-filled nylon. That provides a very high level of rigidity, yet it prevents damage to your firearm or crossbow. The dual clamps are padded and will hold any firearms in place and steady. And, if that weren’t enough, the glass-filled nylon is solvent-resistant which translates to years of hard use. In a word, this setup is the last gun vise you will ever buy.
The specifications for the Tipton Standing Gun Vise are as follows:
Height: 35”
Weight: ~20 pounds
Collapsed Measurement: 43” X 6.5” (w/o vise)
Elevation Range of Chassis Clamp: 4”
Width of Chassis Clamp: 2.5”
Distance Between the Legs: 54” length, 30′ width
The following are just some of the firearms and crossbows that are compatible with this vise:
Conventional Rifles & Modern Sporting Rifles (AR platforms)
Break Open Shotguns
Handguns
Compound Bows & Crossbows
Muzzle Loaders
Bull Pups
The MSRP of $237.99 is not out-of-line when you consider that you get solid steel stand as well as the Tipton Ultra Gun Vise.
But, just in case you already have a Tipton gun vise, you can buy the Universal Gun Maintenance Standalone for about a hundred bucks. Your existing Tipton vise can be adapted to the stand.
The Clarys:
Jim is a retired USAF Scientist and a combat veteran from the Vietnam era. Mary is a retired NICU nurse who shot F-Class competition before injuring her back. Between them, they have over 100 years of experience in hunting and shooting. They have published over 800 articles and reviews, many of which can be read on AmmoLand News.
“Bring an AR-15 Workbench With You”
I shouldn’t “need” to bring a workbench with me, as a matter of fact, it’s absolutely unnecessary…at most, while at the range, I’m going to do a field strip, not an entire rebuilt…Maintain your weapon, clean your weapon, and it will never fail you, especially when you need it the most…
For me, not really fancying myself as any kind of “operator”. Moreover a lifelong tinkerer and firearms enthusiast. I can think of a lot of times I could have used a stand alone gun vice at the range. As often as not, I’m there to function test a newly built firearm, or after some mods. I’ve done more than my share of runnin and gunnin drills out here in the desert Southwest since literally, time a child.To include from moving vehicles, inside and out buildings, and all manner of scenario. Now, as am pushing 50, a nice relaxing day on… Read more »
I’ve had an Ultra Gun Vise for several months and it’s pretty darn handy for cleaning and maintenance, I use it often. No, you couldn’t torque a barrel nut in it but it holds just about any gun securely for most everything else.
The price is crazy. Remember this is a “cleaning and light work only station.” It is NOT a shooting rest and will not stand up to that use. It will not survive torquing barrel nuts, etc. It is for cleaning and light maintenance of your firearms. Even “on sale” this Standing Ultra Gun Vise is $194 (cheapest I could find it online anywhere). You can buy the Ultra Gun Vise itself for $110 on sale at Midway (prices current as of this posting but always subject to change). The stand is just shy of $81 on Midway right now. So,… Read more »
The title was the editor’s, not the authors. They agree with you.