I need a sling, what do I need to know?

[S391]

I need a sling for my AR but there are more than a few different styles out there and I'm curious what you guys run and why? I'm thinking that I want something that mounts to a single point on the back of the rifle but I'm open to other options at this point.

thank you in advance and Merry Christmas,
Steve

[Eric R Shelton]

Currently, I'm really digging the Magpul sling that goes from single point to two-point.  The way I see it, it's the best of both worlds.  I believe Daniel is a 3-point fan, but I'm really not.  Overly complicated for no gain in function, and it runs along the rifle where it could interfere with controls and surfaces on an AR-15.  No me gusta.  I'm with Kyle Lamb of Viking Tactics on this one, "Three point slings are one of the best kept secrets in the shooting community, and the secret is they suck."

As for two point vs. single, here's a video from Tactical Response that may help.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/xEgg1JdOg6o&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/xEgg1JdOg6o&rel=0</a>

[Hk940]

Just a quick rundown from a layman’s point of view.  I don’t claim to know what I am doing or how this stuff works on the battlefield.  I have played with it around my house and here are my thoughts.  I don’t like bungee cord slings.  They stretch, get caught on things and then they whack you.  I have seen someone butt stroke himself with one.   I like a nice solid web sling with a buckle that will let it extend if I have to transition.        

Single point sling:  this sling attaches to the ar15 platform by a single point.  Usually this is at the junction of the butt stock and the back of the lower receiver.  The rifle hangs from this point and tends to swing back and forth from it and can get twisted and end up backward If you have to walk, jog or run the rifle will flop around and tend to trip you up unless you are holding it.  So you have one or two hands on the rifle all the time.  It’s no fun to try to crawl up/down hill over broken ground, climb ladders or anything else involving more than flat ground walking while holding a rifle.  The connection point is also right next to the charging handle and I always seem to bang my hand or get caught up in the sling during drills. 

 

Two point sling:  this sling is held to the rifle via two points.  One is at or near the butt or at the single point position as noted above.  The second point is forward on the front grip.  I like this sling the least because in order to mount the rifle the sling must slide across your back and can get hung up on stuff.  You can’t easily transition to the weak side to do drills or in an emergency.  Some folks hang them from their necks but I found that it gave me a bad neck ache.  6-12 lbs hanging from a rope around your neck?  But some folks love them. 

 

Three point sling.  There are good bad and ugly in this group.  Some have a ribbon of nylon that rides along the left side of the gun and gets in the way of the bolt release, selector and the charging handle.  You have to be careful and try before you buy. 

 

The one I use is an eagle industry TAS-3.  It secures at the butt and as far forward on the grip as possible.  The third point forms a triangle that is pulled away from the operating controls of the rifle.  You can adjust it for length easily, suck it up tight to your body for say crawling or let it be hang loose when working rooms.  You can slide it behind you to ride like a backpack.  There is a easy to get to and operate thumb break at the front mounting point that will extend the sling another foot so you can get the butt stock to the off side shoulder.  it’s 100% tube webbing so it won’t ever break and soft so it won’t chafe.   Best part is it does not move around on your body.  The grip, stock and all are in exactly the same place every time you shoulder the weapon. 

 

Just about any police supply or tactical nylon store will let you try them on before you buy and it helps to be fitted and have it adjusted by a knowledgeable person so it hangs right and in the end be taught how to use it and adjust it yourself so that when you put on a kit you can have it fit right.  We all have our favorites and the discussion may get heated.  In the end it’s what works best for you.     

 

[Eric R Shelton]

"saw somebody buttstroke himself" with a bungee sling...  LOL!  Awesome...

For most of the reasons listed by Hk940, this is why I really dig the concept of the Magpul sling.  Use it as a single point for ease of transition, go to a two point when it's time for hands-off.  Although I'll say that in general, a two-point is my favorite.  It's more stable when hands off, can be used in a "hasty" configuration for a better shooting platform, and being realistic I don't shoot in a transition stance or urban combat.  The option is nice, but reality sets in, you know?

I have never had an issue with a sling around my back getting caught up on stuff.  If it ever gets caught, it's where the sling leaves my body and is suspended in space as it runs to the weapon.  Quite frankly, I really wonder about somebody who has 6-12 pounds "hanging around their neck".  To each their own, I suppose, but why in the world would somebody support the weight there rather than their back and shoulder which are much stronger?

And really, who walks around with their rifle just hanging loose?  You should be hands-on with your rifle 90+% of the time anyway.  The sling, imho, is just to "keep" the rifle in inconvenient moments.

Just my $0.02, YMMV.

[gixxer1974]

"saw somebody buttstroke himself" with a bungee sling...  LOL!  Awesome...

For most of the reasons listed by Hk940, this is why I really dig the concept of the Magpul sling.  Use it as a single point for ease of transition, go to a two point when it's time for hands-off.  Although I'll say that in general, a two-point is my favorite.  It's more stable when hands off, can be used in a "hasty" configuration for a better shooting platform, and being realistic I don't shoot in a transition stance or urban combat.  The option is nice, but reality sets in, you know?

I have never had an issue with a sling around my back getting caught up on stuff.  If it ever gets caught, it's where the sling leaves my body and is suspended in space as it runs to the weapon.  Quite frankly, I really wonder about somebody who has 6-12 pounds "hanging around their neck".  To each their own, I suppose, but why in the world would somebody support the weight there rather than their back and shoulder which are much stronger?

And really, who walks around with their rifle just hanging loose?  You should be hands-on with your rifle 90+% of the time anyway.  The sling, imho, is just to "keep" the rifle in inconvenient moments.

Just my $0.02, YMMV.

You dig the magpull because you are a giant magpul fanboy. nothing wrong with it but just be honest about it Eric. Carl and Tommy could probably put "MAGPUL" on a box of condoms and you'd jump all over it at 20 bucks a peice

[Eric R Shelton]

You dig the magpull because you are a giant magpul fanboy. nothing wrong with it but just be honest about it Eric. Carl and Tommy could probably put "MAGPUL" on a box of condoms and you'd jump all over it at 20 bucks a peice

Yes and no. I would totally be all over the condoms. lol. At the same time, I'm not a fan of their new AFG, or ranger plates for AR magazines, Glock magpuls, etc.  But they build stuff well (better than the competition) and I'd say about 70-80% of their products are good ideas rather than just ways to make money.  Hard to argue with that.  So if that makes me a "fanboy", then oh f***ing well, y'know?

edit- For the record, the sling plate that S391 linked to is two thirds the price of the Magpul end plate, and doesn't look like it will jingle and jangle.  Plus, "I kick hippies.com"?!?!  How could I not want to order from them?!?!  LOL!

[gixxer1974]

You dig the magpull because you are a giant magpul fanboy. nothing wrong with it but just be honest about it Eric. Carl and Tommy could probably put "MAGPUL" on a box of condoms and you'd jump all over it at 20 bucks a peice

Yes and no. I would totally be all over the condoms. lol. At the same time, I'm not a fan of their new AFG, or ranger plates for AR magazines, Glock magpuls, etc.  But they build stuff well (better than the competition) and I'd say about 70-80% of their products are good ideas rather than just ways to make money.  Hard to argue with that.  So if that makes me a "fanboy", then oh f***ing well, y'know?

edit- For the record, the sling plate that S391 linked to is two thirds the price of the Magpul end plate, and doesn't look like it will jingle and jangle.  Plus, "I kick hippies.com"?!?!  How could I not want to order from them?!?!  LOL!

you will get no argument from me on that, and I will be ordering from IKICKHIPPIES friday without a doubt with a name like that I gotta give them my money

[Eric R Shelton]

I know, right?  LOL!  The jingly part on Magpul's ASAP plate was my biggest disappointment with an otherwise solid idea for mobility.  I still wanted to get their MS2 sling for my SBR build, but was going to go with a Noveske QD end plate until this hippie kicker got pointed out to me.

Decisions, decisions...  LOL.  I love the choices we have!  Everybody has to compete with better and better products, and it only benefits us, right?

[Hk940]

looking at Magpul's ASAP plate it seems one can coat the ring with the "plastic dip" you can find at the hardware store.
i would use several coats but would quiet the whole thing down.
plastic shrink tape might also work. 

after careful review it is interesting.  i will get one and play with it... 

[Dlshaw]

For the Record. I like 3 point slings on an M16 series weapon (20" barrel) I like a one point for an M4 or 16" or less barreled gun.

My favorite 3 points are made by Specter http://www.spectergear.com/

I don't honestly have a preference for a one point sling. I have used many different types that work just fine.
I do not like slings with very loose bungee or padding built into the sling.

Quick release is a must for one point and a length and complete release is a must for 3 point for me.

Daniel

[Christopher Burg]

I personally like two point slings.  Before I give my reasoning I want to make it clear that I've never used a rifle in a defensive mode before, only hunting and target practice.  So my experience is based off of that.

The main thing I like about two point slings is I can wrap it tightly around my forearm and behind my elbow.  Why pulled tight (which only requires moving my arm out) it gives me slightly more stability when firing from a standing position.  I've got a slight shake in my hands most of the time and this helps me stabilize the rifle noticeably.

Also you can get a nice USGI web sling for under $10.00.  Yeah yeah I'm kind of cheap.

[Fire Tracer]

I have a Blackhawk one point and its great. My only complain is that it is a bit long (i'm guessing it was made with soldiers wearing body armor in mind). But other then that it works well.

[Fire Tracer]

Aww, sorry i got the name wrong. >.< Its a "Mamba" one point sling. Heres a link to what it looks like.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tactical-Single-Bungee-One-Point-Mamba-Rifle-Sling-OD_W0QQitemZ250530410293QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a54c6af35

[TheOtherMattG]

Man I wish that website sold more than just sling plates. I don't need one at the moment but I really want to buy something with that name on it!

[bshupe]

I use the Viking Tactical 2-point adjustable sling as do all the SWAT guys in my area and even the LEOs who are in the know. It is a fantasticly versitile and well-built sling and for the money I think the best on the market right now.

Watch out for their fancy little fastenrs though, they are big bucks! You could easily spend 3X the price of the sling for their quick release stuff. From what I can see you gain nothing by using their mounting system and have heard good arguments that they are an added liability as you are introducing additional potential points of failures to your AR system.

Hope that helps!

[Heavy G]

I really like Tactical Tailor's one-point:



http://www.tacticaltailor.com/cqbsling.aspx

Extremely rugged.  I'll never wear it out.

They have a padded sling that goes on under the sling--very comfy.  But I couldn't find it on their web site.  I think the padded sling inserts are pretty new so that might be why they're not on the web site.

I am lucky enough to live near their retail store so I got to try them out before I bought.  I could try it on my actual AR.

Oh, and they are universal to any weapon with a ring.  So they work great on my AK too.  And my Remington 870 (I had to add a ring to that one).

I have not used other slings so I'm not saying the Tac Tailor one is better than others, just that it works great for me.

[ShpDgNwb]

Agree with Eric, like the new Magpul though I haven't yet seen one up close.  My Boonie Packer (the most adjustable model Packer sells) has been great!  Think it was about $27 shipped.  It was also the one Larry Vickers apparently carried for years before designing his own.  The Vickers model is supposed to be good kit too!  Tactical slings, make most other forms of long gun carry seem weak, IMHO.

[xmunckx]

I have had the Magpul MS2 for a while now. . It was a good price, it was sturdier than a couple I have had in the past.  It works, ,I like it, , would recommend it.

Munck

[mrdan27611]

+1 for single point.

As long as it's quick adjustable then anything else is fine for me.

I don't understand the appeal of a two point sling except for slow fire. I used them for years and couldn't have been happier to go single point. As stated previously, the rifle is in my hands 99% of the time. When you need to climb a ladder, put hands on somebody, etc I just spin the rifle behind me so it lays more on my back. Quick spin to front and it's back in place. Hanging the sling on gear is almost eliminated with a single point and that's my biggest issue with slings.

Anyway, my two cents.