By Norman Gray POMA Member
Arizona (Ammoland.com) – The humble rifle sling is one of the most valued, yet strangely enough, under used part of a rifle. Anyone who has ever served their country or just hunted this great land knows the value of a rifle sling. It is used in the act of shooting, transporting your rifle from place to place and allows you to use both hands while keeping your rifle close or transitioning to a handgun. In the worst of times it has served as a tourniquet and saved lives. But most of the time I find it’s left behind until the time its needed most and not available. Wise hunters and shooters carry their slings with them for times like this. But which sling to buy, one point, two point, three point, quick detach, sport, professional, educate yourself before you purchase, this will help make the wisest choice for your application. . . .
Many sites have videos on products they sell and you can learn a lot from people in the know, I highly encourage you watch them so you purchase what you want the first time, it will save you from playing mail man and a whole lot of aggravation.
I have embedded and series of videos from Brownells that helps make many of my points and provides better insight into pick the sling that is right for you.
(5) One-Point Tactical Rifle/Shotgun Airsoft Bungee Sling : Let’s start with the one point tactical sling, they are as simple as one could want. Simply place it over your head and/or shoulder and clip it to your attachment point on your black rifle and you’re in business. TIGER ROC INC. offers their One-Point Tactical Rifle Bungee Sling in Black ( http://tiny.cc/r0llvx ) .
The bungee portion allows your rifle to bounce while walking and offers a shock absorbing type effect. It’s made of a 64” adjustable 1.5” wide heavy duty nylon webbing that weights in a 3.5 oz and is easy on left or right handers. The simple swivel trigger snap is easily detached from the rifle and easily re-attached and is insanely affordable, at $4.99 & Free Shipping. Buy three or four as they are handy for shotguns and crossbows as well, you can’t go wrong.
(4) Blue Force Gear – AR-15/M16 Vickers Combat Sling : Two point slings are the tactical equivalent of a basic hunting sling except they do more things in some cases. Blue Force Gear – AR-15/M16 Vickers Combat Sling ( http://goo.gl/dYF8AD ) is a two point sling baptized in combat. Designed by Larry Vickers (Former Delta Operator) this sling is designed with hard use in mind utilizing steel and military grade polymers along with Cordura nylon. It allows for multiple adjustments with no loose ends to tangle in your gear and it works with all rifles using a 1 ¼” sling swivel. Soldiers don’t keep bad gear, it ends up on the side of the road, this sling is simple and effective; the way things should be.
(3) Spec-Ops SLING 101 3-POINT SLING for AR15 or M16 : Three point slings offer more bells and whistles but are a bit more complicated in their use. One such sling is from Spec-Ops Brand it’s their SLING 101 3-POINT SLING M16 ( http://tiny.cc/3holvx ) , this is for a full length rifle but they also have a sling for the M-4. It comes in black, coyote brown and foliage green and easily installs on bottom or side sling swivels. Other features include emergency quick release, carry backpack style, traverse strap keeps it out of the way of weapon mounted accessories and a speed lock feature to balance the weapon the way you want it.
It’s higher in price but it better grade gear so expect to pay a bit more.
(2) Bushnell’s Butler Creek – Comfort Stretch Sling : Shooting and hunting is addictive and a severe drain on funds so anything that can help stretch the budget is welcomed. Bushnell’s Butler Creek – Comfort Stretch Sling ( http://goo.gl/wV55qv ) is very functional and easy on the wallet offering two different models. Both models use waterproof webbing, closed cell neoprene shoulder pads with raised rubber dots on the backing to reduce slippage.
The stretchable backing on the pad behaves like a shock absorber reducing the jarring to your shoulder. The Alaskan model includes four loops for carrying extra rounds and both are budget friendly and great for your MSR (Modern Sporting Rifle).
(1) Brownells – Tactical Plus Rifle Sling :The simplest rifle sling is often the best and being time and battle tested makes it even better. Most are familiar with the leather sling that was used on the M-1 Garand in WW 2, today copies are far better using space age BioThane making it supple, easier to adjust and weather proof.
The new Brownells – Tactical Plus Rifle Sling ( http://goo.gl/4cMdtu ) is great for any rifle using mounts of 1 ¼” or less and comes in Black, brown and OD. It’s constructed with metal hooks attached with brass rivets and it can be used on almost any rifle, “Versatility Rules!” It’s not fancy or high tech, it just works every time and that’s why this sling is one of my favorites for a general purpose sling.
By no means is this the be-all end-all list of slings you can choose from. There are so many more choices, but whether you are a hunter, weekend warrior or a proud professional Soldier or Police Officer this quick guide will get you on the right track by identifying the most popular AR15 Rifle slings and sling types.
About Norman Gray:
Norman Gray has been involved in the shooting sports for well over 30 years. He has served in both active duty and reserve component of the United States Army as an Infantryman and was honorably discharged at the end of his service. Moving to Arizona, he began assisting his long time friend and mentor Bob Shell, an accomplished writer and author in his own right. Norman is freelance contributor with Handguns Magazine, Canadian Firearms Journal and Manzano Valley Outdoors. He is also a member of (POMA) The Professional Outdoor Media Association, the (NSSF) National Shooting Sports Foundation and a Life Member of the (NRA) National Rifle Association. Visit: http://www.unleaded-ink.blogspot.com/