Hey guys, I wanted to talk a little about slings and your rifles.
I had a conversation today with two other guys about clinics, courses, and other training that deals with slings and there seems to be a number of stumbling blocks guys have with slings on there black rifles, or other rifles as well.
Most would classify slings into 3 categories - One Point, Two Point and Three Point.
I prefer to use 4 categories - One Point, Two Point, Two Point Adjustable and Three Point.
One Point is a sling which is a basic loop and attaches to the rifle at a single point on the rifle.
Two Point is a sling which attaches to the rifle at the front and rear and can be considered a basic carry strap.
Two Point Adjustable is the same as the two point above, but has a quick adjust feature built in to adjust the length of the sling. Rifles that have this type of sling attached are usually worn in front of you with the muzzle down and the sling looped over your strong shoulder and under your weak arm.
Three Point sling can also be called the "patrol sling" "HK Sling" and is known by other names as well. It attaches to the front and back of the rifle like the two point, but has a strap(s) that attach to the front and rear of the sling as well. Some of these slings will also allow the firearm to be carried like a backpack with part of the sling over each shoulder.
On all of these slings there can be advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of firearm you are using, what the application is, and other equipment you might be wearing.
In all the categories I mentioned there are also multiple choices of slings to choose from, depending on your budget, taste and preference.
I've heard a lot of talk lately as well about how to use a sling safetly or properly and I've heard tons of opinions on what sling is the safest, or most effective, or best to use etc. etc.
Again it comes down to the sling, what you are doing, what firearm you have, what other gear you are using, if your running a pistol as well as other factors.
The safe use of sling/firearm while out moose hunting is different than a three gunner, a soldier and some one shooting targets at the range. All of these depend on basic firearm safety as well. Finger off the trigger and muzzle control are the two biggest ones that apply to everyone on this. The third of course is using your safety. If your rifle is loaded and rubbing against your gear or pack, the last thing your want is a fastex buckle to catch on the trigger with the safety off.
Another issue that I've heard a lot about lately concerning safety is the possibility of entaglement in the sling. I've never seen or ever heard of this happening, but you never know these days what people can do.
So on this issue, your firearm should never be dangling down to your knees, and if you have a sling that has multiple straps on it, get them secured. If your running a 1, 2 point adjustable or 3 point sling then the butt of the rifle should be up close to your shoulder. I'd say off hand, probably around 6 inches at the most.
Try to quite doing the "patrol carry" "Israeli carry", which is having the sling over your weak shoulder/ under your strong arm, and the butt of the rifle down by your hip with the rifle sideways on your body instead of vertical. This is not an efficient way to carry your firearm, nor do you have good muzzle control.
If you have any questions, post them here and I'll try to answer them.
I had a conversation today with two other guys about clinics, courses, and other training that deals with slings and there seems to be a number of stumbling blocks guys have with slings on there black rifles, or other rifles as well.
Most would classify slings into 3 categories - One Point, Two Point and Three Point.
I prefer to use 4 categories - One Point, Two Point, Two Point Adjustable and Three Point.
One Point is a sling which is a basic loop and attaches to the rifle at a single point on the rifle.
Two Point is a sling which attaches to the rifle at the front and rear and can be considered a basic carry strap.
Two Point Adjustable is the same as the two point above, but has a quick adjust feature built in to adjust the length of the sling. Rifles that have this type of sling attached are usually worn in front of you with the muzzle down and the sling looped over your strong shoulder and under your weak arm.
Three Point sling can also be called the "patrol sling" "HK Sling" and is known by other names as well. It attaches to the front and back of the rifle like the two point, but has a strap(s) that attach to the front and rear of the sling as well. Some of these slings will also allow the firearm to be carried like a backpack with part of the sling over each shoulder.
On all of these slings there can be advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of firearm you are using, what the application is, and other equipment you might be wearing.
In all the categories I mentioned there are also multiple choices of slings to choose from, depending on your budget, taste and preference.
I've heard a lot of talk lately as well about how to use a sling safetly or properly and I've heard tons of opinions on what sling is the safest, or most effective, or best to use etc. etc.
Again it comes down to the sling, what you are doing, what firearm you have, what other gear you are using, if your running a pistol as well as other factors.
The safe use of sling/firearm while out moose hunting is different than a three gunner, a soldier and some one shooting targets at the range. All of these depend on basic firearm safety as well. Finger off the trigger and muzzle control are the two biggest ones that apply to everyone on this. The third of course is using your safety. If your rifle is loaded and rubbing against your gear or pack, the last thing your want is a fastex buckle to catch on the trigger with the safety off.
Another issue that I've heard a lot about lately concerning safety is the possibility of entaglement in the sling. I've never seen or ever heard of this happening, but you never know these days what people can do.
So on this issue, your firearm should never be dangling down to your knees, and if you have a sling that has multiple straps on it, get them secured. If your running a 1, 2 point adjustable or 3 point sling then the butt of the rifle should be up close to your shoulder. I'd say off hand, probably around 6 inches at the most.
Try to quite doing the "patrol carry" "Israeli carry", which is having the sling over your weak shoulder/ under your strong arm, and the butt of the rifle down by your hip with the rifle sideways on your body instead of vertical. This is not an efficient way to carry your firearm, nor do you have good muzzle control.
If you have any questions, post them here and I'll try to answer them.
