rifle sling

Why I prefer a two-point sling and the versatility it offers

Photo courtesy of DVIDS

To put it simply: the one-point sling is not versatile enough. It’s really good at a specific role, and that is accommodating a direct action based use of the weapon. It is extremely good in this capacity but because it is such a specialized piece of kit, it lacks the versatility of the two-point. I am fully aware that they make hybrid slings that can be configured for both set-ups — honestly, this is a good option. But in my mind, the two-point is the appropriate choice when options are limited.

The one-point lends itself incredibly well to CQB (close quarters battle) because the shooter can fluidly change shoulders with the rifle and manipulate it more freely. This shines through during reloads and malfunction corrections because the weapon is able to rotate on a single (flexible) axis point; physically speaking, this is less restrictive, hence the term “one-point sling.” It works well for restrictive spaces and close engagements and that’s why it is also applicable to close protection roles such as executive protection and mobile security details. The only real downside is that it drops between your legs and center line when it hangs freely. This can be restrictive to movement and limit access to equipment at your front.

The two-point sling is a classic set-up made modern by rapid adjustability. It is diverse and restrictive all at once. A loose setup grants a greater range of weapon manipulation but lacks the support that a tighter set-up will have. This is where adjustment systems come into play and give the two-point a slight edge in my mind. The two-point also can be easily slung on the back or pushed out of the user’s center line. Its crossbody design gives added comfort for long patrols or extended durations of carrying the weapon.

I choose the two-point sling because I am an individual and I will be avoiding CQB at all costs, should the need to pick up a rifle arise. If for some unfathomable reason I should be forced to do CQB, I will simply unsling my rifle or throw it around my neck for added maneuverability and (albeit limited) basic retention. Should a real-world scenario arise where I actually am forced to pick up a rifle, it will probably involve a lot of walking. As a foreign military volunteer and US Marine, all my operational duties required a lot of walking and limited amounts of CQB in between.

For me, the two-point sling makes the most sense — it’s my preferred set-up so that’s what I train with and employ. However, everyone is different and should evaluate their personal circumstances to determine what sling type is most appropriate for them. Regardless of the chosen method or tool, get out and train to be safe and proficient with it.

Red Rock Slings: Traditional versus tactical

Regardless of whether you are a hunter, soldier, or shooting enthusiast you can benefit from a sling. Slings can provide relief while on long movements, create a more stable shooting platform, or provide a tactical advantage in a firefight. As with most weapon accessories, the market for slings is absolutely saturated. The two slings that we will be looking at today are the D1 Rapid-Fit tactical slng, and the Universal sling from Red Rock Outdoor Gear.

As mentioned in the Red Rock Summit article, Red Rock produces tactical/practical gear for police, firefighters/first-responders, military, hunters, survivalist, and outdoor enthusiasts. Their product line includes: Mavrik (customizable packs and weapons cases), netting (camouflage), ghillie suits, rifle slings, backpacks, sling packs & bags, hydration packs, conceal carry bags, first-aid, survival, and MOLLE attachments.

So how do you decide what kind of sling works for you? How, and why you are using your weapon should dictate the type of sling you need. If you are moving through close-quarters and need to transition from your rifle to another weapon, or piece of gear, an on-the-fly adjustable sling would work well. Conversely, if you are hunting deer and simply need something to allow you to shoulder carry your weapon, a traditional non-adjusting sling would be ideal.

Universal Sling

Slide buckle re-sizer
1 1/4” flat nylon webbing
Used as a 1-point or 2-point sling
Synthetic material is weather resistant
Built-in hooks for fast attachment
MSRP $19

The universal sling is something that I would put on my deer, or bird gun. Once adjusted to my specifications the sling stays in that position. I can shoulder carry my weapon as I walk to my blind, and I can use the sling to assist with long shots. The hooks that are built onto this sling are a little larger than I typically like, but didn’t interfere with the operation(s) of my weapons. With this sling, you can easily remove their hooks and customize it the way you want. If you are looking for a simple, traditional sling, this is it.

D1 Rapid-Fit Sling

Stainless steel hooks
Rapid re-sizer (adjust sling on the go)
Quick-release buckle
2” elastic webbing (the portion of the sling on shoulder and back)
Adjustable from 40” to 57”
MSRP $60

The D1 Rapid-Fit sling is something that I would put on my M4. The rapid-adjustment makes it easy for me to secure my weapon tight against my body when I need my hands free. The elastic webbing provides comfort and the ability to stretch the weapon an additional inch or two. This can come in handy if you are leaning around something and need to punch out the weapon, or for a barrel check (the act of striking someone with your barrel tip).

Whether you need tactical, or simple, there is a Red Rock sling for you to consider. In total, Red Rock has eight different slings to compare. Most of the slings are also offered in black, tan, or OD green. Remember to select the sling that is appropriate to the task that you are performing. Personally, I am a huge fan of simplicity when it comes to my kit. I tend to be in the “less is more”category.

Nowadays, I find myself doing more hunting than tactical shooting, and because of this, I found myself favoring the Universal sling. Although the elastic webbing on the D1 Rapid-Fit added comfort, it didn’t compliment how I shoulder carry my bird/deer guns. However, if you front-carry your weapon (like down-range), then the D1 Rapid-Fit will work well for you. Regardless, take a look at all the slings available from Red Rock before making your decision to purchase a sling.

Both The D1 Rapid-Fit and Universal Slings can be found at Red Rock Outdoor Gear

Robert McCartney served with the 2nd Ranger Battalion from 2003-2007 where he deployed four times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He attended Jump school, Ranger school and has served as a riflemen progressing to a team leader. After leaving the Military Robert became a Customs and Border Protection Officer, working at both Seaports and Airports. During his time at CBP he has been utilized as a Range Safety Officer and K9 Handler, and EMT. When not spending time with his wife and kids, Robert spends his time bowhunting in Washington State, and lifting heavy things. Fun Certifications: CF-L1, Firefighter I, EMT.

The Vickers Sling: An unmatched option

I hardly fanboy about gear and guns. I know what I like, and I don’t care who exactly makes it. One of the few things I do fanboy about is the Vickers Combat Application Sling by Blue Force Gear. You know those people who never shut up how the Wire and Breaking Bad are the best TV shows ever. That’s me, but with the Vickers sling. Designed by legendary soldier Larry ‘Big Boss’ Vickers the VCAS or Vickers sling has always been good to me.

When I was a poor Lance Corporal I had this crappy three-point issued to me for the rare times I carried a rifle. Since my main weapon was the M240 I didn’t mind. Since my 240 was packed away long ago I’ve moved on to a variety of different rifles. A good sling is a simple must have on any rifle. The Vickers sling is a two point and if you want the full rundown on specs check out my first look here.

Practical Exercises

I like to mix my handling skills with my working out, and since open carry isn’t legal in my state I couldn’t think of a better way than to sling my 80% lower AR15 and hit my personal gym. The 2 point shows it’s strengths here. I could sling it to the side while my hands were occupied with flipping tires and spin it to my back when doing push ups. The sling keeps the weapon out-of-the-way and allows the user to use their hands without a rifle bouncing around.

This is greatly beneficial if you need to remove an injured buddy, climb a ladder, or low crawl around the ground. In these situations, the Vickers Sling’s ability to rapidly tighten is an absolute advantage. A nice tight sling holds it tighter to the body and makes it easier to move and groove. Once the movement is over I can loosen the sling and be ready for action once again.

On the Range with the Vickers Sling

One the range the sling is super easy to adjust for everyone’s personal needs. Between weapons, I found it necessary to adjust. Mainly between carbine and shotgun. A looser sling on the shotgun allowed me to more easily manipulate it for tactical and speed reloads. The Vickers Sling was a perfect option for both my AR and my Mossberg 930.

The sling’s 1.25 inch width displaces weight well and keeps everything comfortable. There is a padded option for heavy weapons like the SCAR 17, M1A, etc. However, for an AR or basic shotgun, the standard model is perfect. Just carrying the weapon for extended periods of time is comfortable and the weapon remains stable when you have your hands full.

Once the shoot’n starts the sling remains supportive, and is easy to take on and off for shooting in odd positions, or around barriers. I prefer this option to using a fixed one point on a plate carrier. It also stays out-of-the-way when dropping the rifle and transitioning to a sidearm. A single point tends to have the weapon swinging when trying to pull your handgun.

Over the last month this specific Blue Force Gear Vickers Sling has been the go-to for every range trip, and rests on the Mossberg 930 I keep for home defense. It has zero signs of wear or fraying. The only thing that’s changed is the Blue Force Gear tag is slowing disappearing. The Vickers sling is by far my favorite option for long guns.

The Pak Rat: A More Secure Sling

It’s amazing how much gear individuals in the military adopt and use without official issue. Sometimes this gear serves its purpose in the way it was designed, for example, Merell boots were adopted by numerous soldiers on their own dime. Other times the gear is modified to fulfill a certain purpose. The Pak Rat is a little bit of both. They are used for their intended purpose and were occasionally called into more creative roles.

What’s the Pak Rat?

The Pak Rat is a small device made of both plastic, rubber, and velcro straps. It is designed to attach to the shoulder of a pack and then secure the sling of your weapon to the pack. This simple idea is brilliant in both its simplicity and design. How many times have you had your gun slung over your shoulder and had it slip off?

Maybe you pull out a compass or try to climb a tree stand and it slips. You catch it without a doubt, but it gets annoying fast. The Pak Rat is here to stop that. It allows you to toss it over your shoulder and have your hands free for so many other important things. From tossing a buck over your shoulder to taking a sip of water.

All you do is attach the Pak Rat over your backpack strap with the velcro, open up the rubberized snap and then insert the sling. That’s all there is to it. Your sling stay put and you can adventure as ready. This was a favorite piece of gear for me because in the Marine Corps infinite wisdom as a machine gunner I not only carried my blessed M240 but also my M16A4 on hikes and humps, and in the field. I could sling the M16 securely with the Pak Rat either up and down or across my back and know that it would stay in place.

Beyond the Pack

On humps it staid on my pack where it kept my M16A4 out of the way while hump klick after klick. In more tactical training the Pak Rat fit easily on the shoulder pad of my flak. Here it secured the M16A4 and its two point sling. Luckily I never went into combat with both an M16 and M240.

It was invaluable in training. The design is also ergonomic and easy to use. The rubber portion that holds the sling down has a fat and wide lip that is easy to grip and remove for quick access to your gun. Best of all it’s silent so you won’t spook a deer or Timmy Taliban.

A lot of the guns in my platoon used to run their one point sling through their shoulder pad and through their webbing, securing it in the back with zip ties or paracord. The Pak Rat is a much more elegant solution that zip ties or paracord and it does the same job more efficiently.

With some imagination the Pak Rat can be used for various pieces of gear from slings, to machine gun barrel bags, and more. The Pak Rat is a simple solution to a pain in the ass problem.

Originally published on the Crate Club Knowledgebase

MOS Tactical S4: The most minimal sling on the planet

When I first got my hands on the MOS Tactical S4 sling I was a little baffled by the design. It seemed like nothing more than a tubular nylon runner you would use for climbing and a sling snap hook. The runner is stitched together with what looks like the same way that rated climbing runners are. I’m not saying it’s safe to use for climbing but the guys at MOS Tactical did test its strength by towing cars with a single sling. The more I sat and thought about it I remembered the phrase “less is more” and the possibilities started rushing to me.

This sling is not for the weekend warrior that sees something and needs to read directions on how to use it. That is the beauty of this sling, it allows you to use it in such a wide variety of configurations. The only limits to the S4 sling are your own imagination.

The first way I ran it was as a regular one-point loop sling around my body. You can just as easily use it the same way with a plate carrier on or chest rig. At first you think, “well that’s great but I don’t like how low the weapon sits”, but like I said, less is more so while there is no complex system to adjust the carry height of your rifle you can easily just put an overhand knot in it at the appropriate spot and viola.

The next way I tried it out was as an anchored one point where the runner was fixed to the back of my plate carrier with an S-biner and the hook was run through a couple loops of molle to keep it from sliding. Over the shoulder through the shoulder pad and it hand at a perfect height off to one side. Again, adjusting the carry height is as easy as throwing an overhand knot in it. This is especially nice if you are like me and don’t like to use a sling on your rifle but need somewhere to clip on to really quick in the event of a CASEVAC or when you are doing key leader engagement.

The final way I tested out was anchoring the runner in the middles of the plate carrier, again using an S-biner, and running a piece of the sling over each shoulder through the shoulder pads, putting the clip hanging right in the middle of your chest.

The possibilities are endless with this piece of gear from using it as a sling to an impromptu dog leash. Just think about it. They are available in a number of different sizes and colors/patterns. You can also get either a snap hook or a mash hook. Go get one, use it, love it, free yourself from the norm.

Author – Wes Nanny is former Marine with combat deployments to Afghanistan. He is now pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Mean Gene Leather to Offer Hunting Rifle Slings: the MGL Hunter Sling

(Hubert, North Carolina)

Mean Gene Leather is proud to announce the arrival of the newest member of its handcrafted leather sling lineup: the Hunter Sling. The new Hunter Sling will be available in padded and non-padded versions, with the latter coming first. Although built with bolt guns in mind, they will function with most any long gun and will make them look good while doing so.

Hunting slings will be handmade using 8/9 oz. English Bridle Leather will ship standard with the following features:

Available in Rich Brown, Golden Brown, and Black
Textured neoprene non-skid backing
Double stitching with #277 Boned Nylon thread for strength and durability.
Burnished edges
Hand conditioned with Ray Holes Saddle Butter Leather Conditioner before packaging fora soft, supple feel and increased flexibility.
1.25 in. Mil-Force or QD Swivels
Attachments secured with Chicago Screws

Note: Customization options including:

Personalized laser logo, are available (Mean Gene Leather is shown here as an exemplaronly)
Non-standard sizes (for young’uns up to big ole biscuit-eatin’ types)

Specs:

Weight will vary depending upon the sling
Minimum adjustable length 33 in.
Maximum adjustable length 42 in.

MGL HRS Joins Mean Gene Sling Series

Learn more or purchase one here:

http://www.meangeneleather.com/shop/mgl-hunting-sling/

Slings already available include the MGL 2-to-1 and MGL Two Point.

Warning: slings may not be completely identical. Specific pieces leather and other materials and the very nature of handcrafting could result in very minor differences that will have no impact on the quality of the sling (but will make each one unique).

All MGL hunting rifle slings are sewn one at a time as ordered, from premium leather. Please allow 2 weeks from order date (or when MGL receives the artwork for your logo) before shipment.

Buyer must be the legal owner of laser engraved logo or provide written permission for use.

For additional information, contact [email protected].