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

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

The only thing missing from my AR set up is a sling but I see so many different types on the market that it gets a bit crazy.

What do you folks run and why? My thinking is that I want something that mounts to one point on the rear of the gun but I’m curious about the pros and cons of running this type of a set up.

Thanks and Merry Christmas,
Steve

2

I use the Vickers sling. Larry knows a lot more than me so I listen to him. Check out BlueForce Gear, a sponsor here.

M_P

3

A lot of people are running 2-point slings. I also am running the Vickers Combat Application Sling (VCAS), which is a 2-pt that is pretty popular; a number of the VCAS slings are listed on this page at Bravo Company USA:

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Larry-Vickers-Tactical-Gear-s/106.htm

4

thank you! I’ll take a look at the links provided and see what I like. The idea of a 2-point sling makes a lot of sense and the VTAC looks pretty slick. However, Larry Vickers does know what he’s talking about so I’m going to take a look at his as well.

Merry Christmas,
Steve

5

Check out Boonie Packer. I just got their quick adjust 2point and am very happy with the quality. Quick adjusts with no free hanging tail, and the best part is the cost, $16.

Give it a shot before dropping 3x as much cash on a sling you may or may not like.

http://www.redi-mag.com/Shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=10&idcategory=7

6

That’s a good point, and one I forget about too often. I have a boatload of expensive slings, but I also have a Boonie Packer 2-point on my BCM carbine and it works great. If you go this route make sure you get the 1.25" version and not the 1.5". It’s a great way to test out the two-point concept before going with a more expensive version and you may find that you never need to “upgrade”.

7

I like the Magpul MS2 sling since you can convert from single point to two point and its reasonably priced.

single point is the most agile for combat (shoulder transitions, etc), but uncomfortable for carrying
two point is less agile in combat but more comfortable for carrying.

8

Good post–have never heard of these but they look interesting. Thanks!

9

Why the 1.25 vs the 1.5? I went with the 1.5 and it works just fine. The adjustment section is still 1.25, just the shoulder portion that you don’t adjust after initial fitting is 1.5. Fits the standard 1.25 hardware just fine. My thought was the wider the portion actually hanging on your shoulder the less it will cut in after hanging there for a while.

Care to share your thoughts on the matter?

10

What is your “favorite” among all your slings, and why?

11

I don’t think I have the pictures handy, but the 1.5" sling has an attachment method on the stock end (and maybe the other end too), where it has a short piece of narrower webbing, that I don’t like. The 1.25" version threads through the stock swivels the same way the BFG VCAS does which I prefer as it gives more adjustment and mounting options.

12

BFG Vickers. It can be modified to work in 1-to-2-point like the Magpul and do it better than the Magpul does, It can be had padded or un-padded, the webbing is a nice, stiff, sturdy material that doesn’t fray, the connection points are easy to deal with, standard, and many different methods are available, the adjustment is smooth and easy and does not result in a free-running tail dangling all over creation, and in the Victory version it can be had for a pretty reasonable price (<$30).

I like consistency. My modified 1-point VCAS otherwise works just like the 2-point I use on another rifle, which works just like the Victory I have on my AK, which works just like the padded integral QD sling I have on my heavy gun(s).

13

You may find this useful:


03designgroup | [b]Tactical Slings For The Carbine [/b]

14

Maybe they changed designs, or I have a different version. I’ll take some pics to show the one I have in a little bit.

15

Here’s how the 1.5" attaches. I can’t begin to tell you how much I hate that 1" tail that’s attached on the end, and the fact that many swivels/slots won’t take a 1.5" webbing so I couldn’t shove it through if I wanted to, and how that stitched-in metal tri-glide gets on my nerves.

If you like yours and are happy with it, and/or if they changed the design since I complained about mine, then so be it. I think that the 1.25" version is more versatile and will fit a broader range of mounting points and offers a broader range of adjustment.

16

Does anyone use the La Rue Tactical Padded Sling? I think this is Vickers with the buckles and the 1.25 QD releases included. Does anyone have any experience with one of these? Or should I purchase the VCAS padded with the QD attachments included.

17

My 3 favorite

  • Urban ERT (as a 2 point)

  • VCAS

  • VTAC

Good Luck

18

Wow, that is a lot different Rob, I can see not likeing that setup.

Here’s mine. Please excuse the extra material, I’m not cutting and heat sealing until I have played with it for a while to make sure it’s adjusted exactly how I want it. For the time being the extra is rolled and velcro strapped to keep it out of the way.

Front attachment, 1.25" webbing.

Quick adjust buckles on front portion of sling.

Transition to 1.5" webbing at the end of the quick adjust front portion of sling.

And finally the butt stock attachment with the 1.5" webbing.

The rear of the sling actually threads through the QC sling swivel and doubles back to a buckle right behind the transition from 1.25" to 1.5", so the portion that runs across the shoulder is two thicknesses of webbing. Once I’m dead set on how I want this thing adjusted I’ll probably throw a couple stitches in the back portion to keep the pieces of webbing from seperating.

If you have any suggestions to better adjust or configure this thing, I’m all ears since you have a lot more experience with tac slings than I do. So far it feels pretty good, but I’m still getting used to it, in the past I’ve only ever run standard combat type slings.

19

Thanks. [Edited: Disregard the question, I realize now you were not saying the Victory model was padded, you were speaking in general of the various Vickers models, some of which have padded options, like the VCAS].

20

I’ve always been curious, what is the REAL difference between the VCAS and VTAC versions, aside from the company labels? Is the VCAS worth the extra premium, or is the VTAC ‘good enough’?