Farley 'old style' front rest bag query.

[Grey Kiwi]

Folks, I have a Farley coaxial mk2 front rest with the old style bag holder (with the wee alloy plates that sort of hinge in to squeeze the bag).
Looking online at the various new bags I see "not suitable for 'old style' Farley" mentioned.
Yet images online of the two bags seem identical to me.
What is the difference between 'old style' and 'new style' bags please?
We are short changed here in NZ, so I can't just go shopping locally to check out new bags.
I can get a 'new style' front bag OK, but why is that deemed unsuitable for the old style bag holder?
The general dimensions are the same. Is it to do with the outside angle of the ears?
I'm looking for a 3" bag to hold my rimfire benchrest rifle. It had a 65mm (2½") front slider plate on it, but have now made a 75mm plate (3"). Can't use that until I get the wider bag.
The image is from the internet and shows a new style bag (apparently). Yet images of an old style bag look the same...maybe just online sellers being lazy and using the same image?
Thanks for any help/advice.

 

[Michael Huebner]

Folks, I have a Farley coaxial mk2 front rest with the old style bag holder (with the wee alloy plates that sort of hinge in to squeeze the bag).
Looking online at the various new bags I see "not suitable for 'old style' Farley" mentioned.
Yet images online of the two bags seem identical to me.
What is the difference between 'old style' and 'new style' bags please?
We are short changed here in NZ, so I can't just go shopping locally to check out new bags.
I can get a 'new style' front bag OK, but why is that deemed unsuitable for the old style bag holder?
The general dimensions are the same. Is it to do with the outside angle of the ears?
I'm looking for a 3" bag to hold my rimfire benchrest rifle. It had a 65mm (2½") front slider plate on it, but have now made a 75mm plate (3"). Can't use that until I get the wider bag.
The image is from the internet and shows a new style bag (apparently). Yet images of an old style bag look the same...maybe just online sellers being lazy and using the same image?
Thanks for any help/advice.
View attachment 1506410

Pretty sure the width that it sits in the top is different from old to new.
Protektor bags will make it to your dimensions.

Protektor Front Bag Cordura – suit FARLEY and OTHERS - Bench Rest Tactical

Protektor Front Bag Cordura-suit FARLEY and OTHERS This cordura front bag is designed to fit current model Farley rest and other similar bag top frames. Comes in 2 sizes. 2" - 2.5" (50-65mm) and 2.75" - 3" (70-76mm) wide. Footprint measures - 135mm x 45mm.

www.brtshooterssupply.com.au

I may have one I can send you for postage (Protektor) measure the base it goes in L x W

Michael

 

[David Conder]

Edge makes an peltor also

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Pretty sure the width that it sits in the top is different from old to new.
Protektor bags will make it to your dimensions.

Protektor Front Bag Cordura – suit FARLEY and OTHERS - Bench Rest Tactical

Protektor Front Bag Cordura-suit FARLEY and OTHERS This cordura front bag is designed to fit current model Farley rest and other similar bag top frames. Comes in 2 sizes. 2" - 2.5" (50-65mm) and 2.75" - 3" (70-76mm) wide. Footprint measures - 135mm x 45mm.

www.brtshooterssupply.com.au

I may have one I can send you for postage (Protektor) measure the base it goes in L x W

Michael

Hi Michael,
current bag holder is a total (internal) length of 7¼". The standard Farley bag fits OK with room to also fit the 2 side plates that sort of hinge in. Width is slightly fatter than 1¾"...but I added a wee strip of thin alloy to tighten the width up to match the Farley bag size better.
So pretty much a standard Farley front rest bag holder.
* I guess if I get stuck that I can add a thicker piece of alloy strip (perhaps with JB Weld), and I could then use a thinner bag that might be available...I haven't checked this idea out yet as it just came to me as wrote this *.
But yes, I'd be most interested in your bag if we can work out something.
Much appreciated,
Regards, and thanks.
Edit: Just found this...seems that the new style bag is slightly shorter but has same width as the old style.
New Farley Top: The base of this bag measures 5-1/8" X 1-3/4"
Old Farley Top: The base of this bag measures 5-1/2" x 1-3/4"
Which means that if I make 'fatter' hinge plates I could use a new style bag.
The plates don't really 'hinge'. They just rattle around until tightened, and then the top of the plate is pushed inwards by the tension screw. The bottom of the plate just slides out until the end walls stop it. So it's a 'leaning plate' more than a 'hinged' plate.

 

[Eric Leonard]

I’ve got 4 different tops for my Farley. The first 2 are from Farley and all the Farley style bags I have will fit in either, first 2 pics are the same bag put in both tops, they both measure 1.750 front to back.

I can’t remember who made this one but it takes the standard size bags

And this one is some kind of adjustable width top , I can’t remember who made it either.
Just showing some options that are out there if you can find them

 

[Grey Kiwi]

I’ve got 4 different tops for my Farley. The first 2 are from Farley and all the Farley style bags I have will fit in either, first 2 pics are the same bag put in both tops, they both measure 1.750 front to back.
View attachment 1506428View attachment 1506429
I can’t remember who made this one but it takes the standard size bags
View attachment 1506436
And this one is some kind of adjustable width top , I can’t remember who made it either.
Just showing some options that are out there if you can find them
View attachment 1506449

Great pic's...my original top was as in your first photo, right hand side. Mine was only slightly better condition, but the threaded inserts were loose, and one was seized up (Kroil fixed it!).
I had a local alloy firm make me a copy of it, and mine is slightly fatter front to back than standard. But a thin alloy plate sat in the back and everything fits snug now.
I have made the new one in Metric thread as it's way easier here to source Metric thread screws, etc.
That bottom photo looks interesting. Is that just carpet glued in there?

 

[Eric Leonard]

Great pic's...my original top was as in your first photo, right hand side. Mine was only slightly better condition, but the threaded inserts were loose, and one was seized up (Kroil fixed it!).
I had a local alloy firm make me a copy of it, and mine is slightly fatter front to back than standard. But a thin alloy plate sat in the back and everything fits snug now.
I have made the new one in Metric thread as it's way easier here to source Metric thread screws, etc.
That bottom photo looks interesting. Is that just carpet glued in there?

It’s felt. I’m pretty sure it’s the same top used on some 22 rimfire 1 piece rests but the name escapes me

 

[Grey Kiwi]

It’s felt. I’m pretty sure it’s the same top used on some 22 rimfire 1 piece rests but the name escapes me

Thanks.

 

[majohnson]

Just remember benchrest rules require 1/2” of bag height above the metal side plates.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Just remember benchrest rules require 1/2” of bag height above the metal side plates.

Yep, good call...but that's not a problem here (at the moment)...it's more a 'run what you brung' on the local scene.
I would be worried if I was training for the NZ Olympic Team though.
I can cut the front and rear walls down if I have to (trusty Dremel will whip through in a few minutes of work).
My 'walls' are 1" high...so yes...maybe I will cut them down anyway (or bung in a ⅛" shim under the bag).
Thanks for that thought.