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 Category: Products & Services
Title: STEADY ARM by
JLB Innovations Inc
Description of Product:
We received an e-mail from JLB Innovations Inc., inviting us to take a look at what they had, stating that it would benefit
"EVERY" hunter we knew. STEADY ARM claimed, using their product would "Improve accuracy up to 90%, and reduce effort up to 70%. Sounded
pretty interesting, so we invited Jerry Brown, developer of Steady Arm, to send one over and let us put it to the test.
First of all, let's look at "what" Steady Arm is.
 Steady Arm, as illustrated in the photo to the right, is a system designed to eliminate the stress and arm fatigue that can result when trying to make that perfect
or difficult shot, or just holding your weapon steady period. Pictured in the photo, we have it fitted to a Lyman 54 Caliber Great Plains, Flintlock rifle. Average weight is 9.9 lb. for this
rifle, with much of that barrel weight. It can be a very difficult weapon to hold for a standing or unbraced shot. I have owned this rifle for years and often found I developed a shake
after holding it at the ready, and waiting for an animal to clear brush or emerge from a raven for a clean shot. Many times, I found I had to pull the
rifle down and wait, unready for a bolting shot, if the animal proved to be weary or cautious Preferring not to wait and chance the "shake" to start.
 I happened to receive this item 3 days before the recent opener of Utah's muzzleload season this year, and rushed to the range to try it out and
get a feel for it, before heading into the field opening morning. Upon opening the package and closely looking over the construction and thought that has been put into this product, my enthusiasm rose. It is made
from lightweight Aluminum, and is easily adjustable, both at the waist belt and at the support arm, to fit any hunter out there, male and female, youth
shooters alike. Once the easily detachable mount has been strapped (no drilling or holes required and will not harm your weapon in any way) to the
rifle itself, and belt fitted securely around your waist, the support arm is easily fitted into the lower support cup in the belt to a swiveling sling mount
fitted on the bottom of the rifle mounting. This allows the Steady Arm to freely pivot up "from the waist" to the ready, with no problems for standing shots. No more trying to get to a branch on a tree or branch to lean
against for a steady shot. Sitting down or kneeling shots are also a breeze, just get down, get comfortable and let Steady Arm do the rest.
This product also features added safety while walking in the field. With the Steady Arm attached to the waist belt and
rifle, the rifle weight becomes supported totally by the Steady Arm. This also keeps the weapon pointed in a skyward or slightly forward direction at
all times. Never is the weapon pointed downward without a purposeful intent on the hunters behalf. It also keeps the weapon pointed in a safe direction if
you happen to accidentally slip while hiking in the hills. The barrel end of the rifle is kept at close to or above head level, depending on hunters actual
height, at all times reducing the chance of accidentally wounding yourself in casea fall.
OK, let's get to the point... Did it stand up to the claims?
I headed out, opening morning, Steady Arm in tow, and strapped on the ol'
54 Caliber, pictured above. The first five days of the hunt came and passed and I had not gotten a chance to site in on a buck mule deer large enough
to meet my personal 4 point or better range. Although I did see many bucks, and a few that would have made the mark, just out of shooting range, I was anxious to try it out in a real situation.
The afternoon of the 5th day of the hunt, I broke early and drove down to the
mouth of the canyon to call my wife and see if she and my children wanted to come up for the evening hunt. Plans were made to meet at 4 PM and pile
into the truck for a little jaunt. Last year, I had them with and they got to watch me harvest an impressive 4 X 4, and I was hoping for luck to be with
us again this year, and they again could share the hunt with me.
Luck, and the Steady Arm, held strong! I must say right now, use of the
Steady Arm, and some great new mapping software (review of the mapping software available, click here), greatly increase the success of my hunt this
season. As we drove back up the canyon to get to my favorite spot, I happened to spot a nice three point that I had seen the night before and
elected to pass on. Having the family with me for the second year in a row, my 4 point rule, dropped a point in a big hurry. This was not a small three
point, a nice animal for sure. I had the family park the truck and made my plans. I had mapped this raven and hillside as one to really watch. Having
years of experience in this area, I had overlooked this spot for many hunts, but observing it in 3D mode on the new topographical mapping software,
noticed it was a perfect hidden travel route for bucks to slip past the crossing of the canyon! My re-mapping, of a long used area, had paid off.
I left the family in the truck a ways off, where they could watch my stalk on
the buck. I was ready! Feeling very secure, having the Steady Arm to take a standing or slightly difficult shot, I choose a very direct route, on the
downhill side, up the opposite edge of the ridge the buck was slowing feeding his way down, through the scrub oak. I slowing approached the
point I had chosen to crest the hill and take my shot, estimating where the buck would be by then. I came over the ridge to see him facing me head
on, about 40-45 yards uphill. He was calmly feeding, still unaware of my presence. It was a shot I normally would never have attempted. I have been
a hunter that takes the broadside heart shot or nothing for all my life. I calmly raised my flintlock, pivoting the Steady Arm silently into position.
The buck stepped forward, bringing a straight on low neck to high breast shot, into my view. I had been holding the rifle up for about 45 seconds or
more by this point and was rock solid on the open site view I had for the shot.
I pulled the set trigger, took a deep breath and started the release of my
breathe and squeeze of trigger to make the shot. I never even felt the kick of the ol' mule 54' when the fire shot out of the end of the barrel! I knew, I
had just made an almost impossible shot, compared to what I had ever felt was within my range of skill. I am a good shot, receiving Rifle Sharpshooter
2 of the 3 years I spent in the Marine Corps, but I am also not afraid to admit my limitations and NEVER let the pursuit of an animal over ride my sense of ensuring a fast and painless harvest of my kill.
 The Steady Arm, held strong! It helped
stabilize the rifle and I hit exactly where I was aiming. I mean exactly... It was as if I had a string line for the bullet to follow. I hit the deer directly in the jugular vein, traveling down it's
spine and swiftly taking the spinal cord out. The deer never moved. It just dropped. I was stunned as I began to unbuckle the waist strap for the Steady Arm so I could lean the rifle against a
tree as I approached the deer. I could here my family heading up the bottom of the draw, as they had seen the entire hunt. I knelt down as I
reached the deer and said my silent prayer, thanking the deer for giving up his life to help feed my family and providing my the opportunity the challenge myself against this beautiful buck.
STEADY ARM, You've got a WINNER!
Visit their web site and grab your Steady Arm...
OVERALL RATING: ***** 5 Summit Award
Our findings:
- Steady Arm provides increased stabilization for increased accuracy and less stress and fatigue.
- The weapons weight is supported from the Steady Arm's pivoting, center weight position on the rifle to the hips,
eliminating the need for a sling and reducing fatigue during hiking in the field.
- Completely camouflaged and built with aircraft precision quality construction.
- Mounts on virtually any rifle or shot gun, scope or open sights, no mounting holes or drilling required and may be
easily interchanged from one weapon to the next as the hunting seasons change.
- Steady Arm is easily taken from the relaxed to the ready position while standing or sitting.
- Think about it, what is the first thing you go for when you get to the range to site in your rifle? A solid brace?
Works great at the range and the more familiar you become with it the more your accuracy will increase.
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