Why do pistol rests have a pivot?

[guy_with_boolits]

I.e. Ransom Rest, Lee pistol rest, etc...

I'm guessing its just to reduce the recoil felt by the setup so it is less likely to move? Seems odd when these rests are bolted to 2 tons of concrete..

[geezer56]

It allows the weapon to move, or give with the shot. Keeps it from breaking parts. Put a hard recoiling hand gun in a vice until it can't move and fire it a few times. Stuff will break.

[JimB..]

I always assumed that it would be better to have the predictable motion until the bullet is away than to have to try to ensure that the gun is perfectly locked down.

Just a guess though.

[Winger Ed.]

It works on the same principle as shock absorbers do on a car.

[guy_with_boolits]

I notice the ancient lee pistol rest has a giant solid block that goes into the magwell. So I guess the idea there is you drop a round in every time?

[waksupi]

It makes it easier to align with the target without shifting your sandbag.

[reddog81]

In addition to what has been mentioned - allowing the gun to recoil like normal will also help make the shot it at where it's aimed. When you firing a handgun the barrel starts recoiling a slight amount before the bullet leaves the muzzle. If you locked the gun in place the POI and POA would need to be adjusted quite a bit.