The inverted tripod is a very popular option for competitive rifle shooting disciplines ever since Really Right Stuff (RRS) released the TVC-22i. Using the Versa apex (also referred to as the SureGrip apex), the TVC-22i is a two segment tripod where the bottom segment closest to the ground is actually the outer segment. When deploying, the operator turns the locking collar and then moves the bottom segment down (or up). This is much faster than deploying a traditional tripod segment where the lower leg segments are thinner and beneath the top segments, as on these you loosen the locking collar, pull the leg down and then move your hand back to the locking collar to secure the leg segment in place.
The speed of deployment of the TVC-22i is highly desirable in timed rifle shooting competitions such as PRS and NRL Hunter. However, the long overall length at 43 inches (plus or minus depending on the head) when fully stowed makes the TVC-22i less than ideal for transport and portability, and in NRL Hunter matches, can be cumbersome to carry.
A few years after the release of the TVC-22i, RRS released the TVC-22i Compact, which is a shorter version of the TVC-22i. The TVC-22i Compact was meant to be a more portable version of the TVC-22i, with the same speed of deployment. I picked up a TVC-22i Compact specifically for NRL Hunter, where an inverted would help reduce time in deploying a tripod, while providing a folded tripod form factor that is closer to a TFCT-34 (4-segment, traditional tripod).
While the TVC-22i Compact was ideal for tripod shooting sitting and kneeling, it is too short for standing use, especially for observation glass scenarios.
In the past few years, other companies followed suit and released their own inverted tripods for the shooting market segment, and 3-segment inverted tripods started to appear. These 3-segment were more portable than the TVC-22i Compact when fully stowed / collapsed, and offered the extended height needed for standing positions.
Really Right Stuff finally caught on to the demand for the fast deployment, portability, adaptability that a 3-segment inverted tripod provided, and RRS released the Versa-43i in February 2026. When I saw this product announcement, I snapped one up immediately with the intended application being NRL Hunter matches.
The ‘4’ indicates the Versa-43i is a RRS series 4 tripod with larger diameter leg segments, while the ‘3’ indicates it is a 3-segment tripod, and the ‘i’ indicates it is an inverted leg. Furthermore, the Versa-43i also marks the rebranding of the TVC inverted line as the TVC-22i and TVC-22i Compact are now referred to as the Versa-22i and Versa-22i Compact, respectively.
The Really Right Stuff Versa-43i has a fully collapsed/folded length of 30.45 inches with the Anvil-30 head, fully extends to a maximum height of 66.25 inches, and has a weight of 5.5 lbs.
For comparison, the Versa / TVC-22i and Versa / TVC-22i Compact folded lengths / maximum heights are 41.06 / 65.5 inches and 29.81 / 49.81 inches, respectively (all using the Anvil-30 head).
The 43i is nearly the same length as a 22i Compact when folded (30.45 vs 29.81 inches, respectively) and is nearly the same maximum height as the 22i (66.25 vs 65.5 inches, respectively).
Thus, the Versa-43i has the portability of the 22i Compact with the usable height of a 22i.
The aforementioned 5.5 lb weight of the Versa-43i places it .7 lb heavier than the TVC/Versa-22i and 1.3 lb heavier than the TVC/Versa-22i Compact. This extra weight is going to be attributed to the additional set of twist locks (since it is a 3-segment tripod vs a 2-segment) and the larger diameter legs. The outer / bottom legs of the Versa-43i are ~40mm, while the inner leg segments are ~36mm and ~32mm, respectively.
The leg diameters of both the 22i and 22i Compact are ~36mm and ~32mm for the outer and inner segments, respectively.
As far as the Anvil-30 head, Really Right Stuff sold the Versa-43i as a complete tripod package with the Anvil-30 head with no ‘head-less’ / tripod-only option. Those reading this last statement may have noticed I used the past-tense (sold, instead of sells) and I will have to mention now that the Versa-43i is a limited edition in so far as RRS produced 70 units of the Versa-43i + Anvil-30 package. The Versa-43i sold out in less than two days even at the relatively steep $1795 USD price point.
Really Right Stuff made a minor visual modification to the Versa-43i and made the leg angle locks black instead of the usual silver.
As far as why the RRS Versa-43i is a “Limited Edition” of only 70 units, the rumor is that RRS was using up old inventory of the thicker 40mm series 4 carbon fiber tubes and that is how they arrived to this limited run. I cannot confirm whether or not this is true and if it is, that would be quite disappointing that RRS will not make this a normal tripod option. If anything, I would hope they could make a Versa-33i (series 3 legs) to have a regularly available 3-segment inverted tripod in their product line.
As far as the usability, the Really Right Stuff Versa-43i meets my needs for all aspects of shooting and glassing positions. It is more than tall enough for me for glassing while standing.
Of course, the Versa-43i is also suitable for standing tripod shooting and all other lower positions.
I do not have any issues with torsional flex or play in the Versa-43i while using a rifle in the standing position and it is likely due to the larger diameter tubes used for the legs and the rigidity and stability of the Anvil-30 tripod head.
With regards to the usability in NRL Hunter, the Really Right Stuff Versa-43i fits the bill. While slightly slower to deploy than a TVC-22i or TVC-22i Compact, both of which only have two segments (and therefore only one twist lock per leg), the Versa-43i is still much faster to deploy than a traditional tripod (non-inverted legs) such as my TFCT-34.
While not as compact as the TFCT-34 when folded, the Versa-43i is still portable enough for field use and thus is a great balance in terms of portability, speed of deployment, and adaptability for all positions.
Is the Really Right Stuff Versa-43i the best RRS tripod for rifle competitions?
I will attest that the Versa-43i is the most versatile and all-purpose tripod for rifle competitions, and not the best tripod for rifle competitions.
I say this only because there is no be all, end all tripod for rifle shooters. Every tripod will have different advantages and disadvantages in specific rifle disciplines and shooting scenarios.
The RRS TVC-22i (now Versa-22i) is arguably the best tripod for flat-range use. While it is very long when folded and collapsed, the length/size is a negligible to non-issue for regular range use and PRS matches where you usually have easy access from a vehicle to the firing area. The larger size of the TVC-22i is compensated by the speed and ease of deployment.
For pure field use, something like the RRS TFCT-34 is going to be better only because it is very short when folded and collapsed. However, the TFCT-34 weighs in a 4.79 lbs with the Anvil-30 head and perhaps the TFCT-14L at 3.51 lbs would be more ideal for field / backcountry hunting use, or better yet, the newer TFCX-14L at 2.5 lbs. Yet, the weight and overall compact transport size of these options are negated by the slower deployment.
However, the Really Right Stuff Versa-43i tripod has good speed and ease of deployment, good transport size, mediocre on transport weight (above 5 lbs), and excellent rigidity and load capacity. So with this in mind, it scores well in all aspects, while not excelling to the top (comparatively speaking) in any specific category.
During the 2026 Mason Valley Steel Hunter Match (NRL Hunter series), I used the Really Right Stuff Versa-43i and it functioned well all-around for this type of expedient field use. Carrying from stage to stage while clipped to my Stone Glacier Kiowa 3200 using OBi Link hardware worked well.
Deploying on a stage is slightly slower than a two-segment TVC-22i (standard or compact) by virtue of having three leg segments (two twist locks per leg). However, this small compromise to have a shorter folded tripod than a TVC-22i, while still having a tripod tall enough to use while glassing through binoculars in a standing position is worth it.
As mentioned earlier, the Really Right Stuff Versa-43i and Anvil-30 tripod package is a limited run of only 70 units and all were sold shortly after the product announcement.
If you want to get the now unobtainable Really Right Stuff Versa-43i tripod, you will have to keep an eye on the used market for this rare tripod option from RRS. If you are able to come across one for sale, I would recommend the Really Right Stuff Versa-43i and Anvil-30 tripod if you are a multi-discipline precision rifle shooter that will employ a tripod in various shooting conditions.
There is at least one alternative 3-segment inverted tripod with similar height specs from T3 Optics. While I cannot attest to this tripod, it is the one alternative that I am aware of that also supports direct mounting of the Really Right Stuff Anvil-30 head with a specific adapter.
For more on Really Right Stuff, check out their website and be sure to follow their social media platforms to stay current on their upcoming product announcements and releases.
Lastly, if you want to watch a review discussing the Really Right Stuff Versa-43i, check out the video by Phillip Velayo which was released right when the Versa-43i was announced. Phillip does an excellent job going over the Versa-43i as well as demonstrating the deployment of a traditional 3-segment tripod vs an inverted 3-segment tripod.
People may have noticed the tripod leg covers on my Really Right Stuff tripods in past videos and photos. The covers I am using are the Cole-Tac Tripod Leggings. The Tripod Leggings (now Version 2) from Cole-Tac are currently sold with 10 inch and 15 inch length options. However, you can reach out to Cole-Tac for a custom length and they will commission the order for you for an additional $20 fee (as of 2026).
For the Versa-43i, I requested a custom length of 20 inches and it shipped three business days after I put in the custom order.
If you are interested in a fancy way to cover the legs of your tripod, reach out to Cole-Tac, especially if you need a custom / specific length.
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