Now I've got to strongly disagree with the sentiment that bipods are rarely seen in the field (military use of the term, NOT hunting, I'm getting tired of having to repeat that over and over but it seems like people don't read it), whereas slings are ubiquitous... if you'll read up in the thread, I'm talking only about utility / fighting rifles, with the AR and M1A platforms mentioned specifically.
I know that many THR members have slings on their M1As, and some may even have them on their ARs... but how many real operators have shooting slings on their M16A4s and Mk14s? SAM-Rs, DMRs, SPRs? This is what I'm talking about. I'm talking about people who ACTUALLY SHOOT THEIR RIFLES AT OTHER PEOPLE FOR A LIVING.
Because I can't remember seeing ANY pictures from Afghanistan or Iraq of a Soldier / Marine / Operator all slung up, although I've seen hundreds of pictures of guys with accurized fighting rifles with BIPODS on them. The 2 or 3 pictures I HAVE seen of a shooting sling on a USMC fighting rifle (SAM-R), they aren't even using it.
So I think the claim that bipods are a "range only" item, whereas slings are in common use in the field, is, simply put, absurd, and totally backwards.
Again, I'm not talking about target shooting, competition, or hunting. I'm talking about going prone with a fighting rifle.