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Caldwell Fire Control rest?

nonliberal

Has anyone seen or played with the Fire Control joystick rest from caldwell yet?

If so, what are your thoughts? anything good or bad stand out?
I know its not going to be a Farley or Seb but for less than $200 I wouldnt expect it to be.

Thanks
 
Yea Nonlib,Im looking too. So many to choose from its eye crossing.Big tags on some of them.a sinclair just went on ebay for 285,I cant decide either? Keep us posted on your results.
 
I will do that. The brown truck should have one here tommorow so I can give it a try. Im not getting my hopes up on the quality but I already have a buyer if I dont like it.

I will let you know.
 
NL, I am too wondering about the Caldwell rest. I posted over on the gear and gadgets forum about this same thing. Let us know of your testing on this rest. Thanks,45/70
 
Well if it would have been a brown truck I would be shooting off the rest today. I found out it was sent Fedex so I have to wait until Monday to get it. I live in the middle of no-where on gated property but the fedex guys will never leave the package on the porch like EVERY other delivery person does. Its a different guy every time so telling him doesnt do any good.

I will keep you guys posted.
 
I received my Fire Control rest today.
I will start by picking it apart.

1. The narrow bag that came with it is to thick, so you will have to have a tall rear bag to use it unless your shooting down hill.
2. The long handle is held on the shorter "joystick" with one screw with a plastic knob,normally that would be fine but the joystick is round and the end of the screw is flat) So you either have get pliers and tighten it so tight that the knob will probably break or what I will do is take a dremmel to make a part of the small joystick flat so the longer handle cant turn.,they used the knob method so it can be switch from right to left handed shooters easily). I only shoot one way.


3.When it came out of the box the joystick couldn't even hold its own weight and would fall to the bottom of travel.

4. the coarse vertical adjustment was so tight it would move the whole rest turning the knob.

5. The wide bad is the normal cheap cordura 3 lobe bags that come with all the other Caldwell rests. ,its working well but still cheaply made).

Those were pretty much all the problems I could find with the rest. The good part is the instructions tell you how to adjust the joystick tension and course vertical adjustment to your liking.

After making the adjustments, the joystick moves freely with good positive motion,its not glass smooth but it is good enough that I wont complain) I imagine it will get smoother with time.
I have a 17lb rifle sitting on it right now just to see if it would creep down and it has'nt yet,45 minutes).

The base seems to be a good design, when pushing into the rifle stop it doesn't tip as easy as my hart base and is a little narrower from side to side so I can get it closer to the edge of the bench were I like to be. I didn't get a level on it like they said I would.

In the lowest setting it sits 6.5" off the bench to the cradle.
I didn't measure the range of motion but at 100 yards its definitely enough to cover a standard HBR target and then some.
I did notice with the 17lb gun that when the joystick hits the very top of adjustment it drops just a touch when I let go. This can probably be adjusted out or I will just set the coarse adjustment a little high center on the tart get.

For me the course elevation is very nice not dealing with the wheel and screw method. At my home I shoot on a slight downhill grade and have to change back and forth alot when I go to the range.

I did have a buyer for this rest if I didn't want to keep it but I think I will hang on to it.

I'm not even trying to compare this rest to some of the "works of art" that are out there but for someone like me that really wanted to use or at least try out a joystick rest but couldn't justify the cost, this is a good option even if its just to get your feet wet and upgrade later. Cost was less than $200 plus shipping.

Its new so I cant comment on how long it will last or any problems that may develop but as it stands I would buy it again.

Hope this helps.
 
I also think it is a great report. I will add that all response I have received is positive when at the range.
regards
Andy Anderson
 
NonLiberal,

I like your review of the Fire Control rest and put this in the daily bulletin. However, I am very confused by your paragraph #2:

"2. The long handle is held on the shorter "joystick" with one screw with a plastic knob,normally that would be fine but the joystick is round and the end of the screw is flat) So you either have get pliers and tighten it so tight that the knob will probably break or what I will do is take a dremmel to make a part of the small joystick flat so the longer handle cant turn."

Are you talking about how the long, horizontal steel tube with ball end attaches to the short shaft that extends from the rubber boot?

Or, are you talking about how the plastic horizontal handle,that extends to the side) attaches to end of the metal tubular arm with ball end?

I'm confused.

Please email mailbox@6mmBr.com and clarify this if possible. I did try to re-write your paragraph #2 for Bulletin but realized you may be talking about how the plastic grab handle attaches to the tubular metal shaft.

I have tried calling both Midway and Battenfeld and nobody answers.
 
i received my rest a few days ago and must agree with nonlib. about the BAGS -THEY SUCK. i shoot f-open and use a 3" front and have the same complaint with the FARLEY COMPACT head. you can't put a good leather 3" bag on it! you'd think that these companies would do a little field work and and find out what shooters want/need. i know caldwell is aiming for "average weekend" shooter and forgoing the "super high end" guys, but, for a few dollars more, they could have a super rest instead of a ok rest.

will post my impressions of rest as compared to farley next week.

ron
 
Midway is still waiting for delivery of the 18-lb. Fire Control. If you want one without delay, G.I. Joe’s Outdoor Supply, 1-800-442-8834, has them in stock right now, for 199.95 or $210.00 delivered to lower 48. You can email: gijoes@mchsi.com
 
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