The first batch of G&R/BFG Vickers slings did pretty well, but I have decided to make some changes. The first thing I wanted to do is offer a more budget minded sling. So we used the BFG Victor series sling and added the BFG Mash hook and Universal Adapter Loop.
The second sling we had made was one using the Padded Vickers Sling. We had them attach the Mash hook and Universal Adapter Loop as well.
Check out the pics below and let me know what you think.
There’s a thread here about connecting a Vickers sling to an AK, and I think that the standard snap hook from an AK sling (or ordered after the fact from DIY Tactical) is a much better option than the mash hook. To quote myself from there:
It strikes me that there is a dimensional issue (XYZ axis, not measurements) with the way the sling interfaces with the ring on the gun, and you want to ultimately wind up with the sling laying flat on the gun. Because the ring on the gun is in the same plane as the sling, you need a connector that fits in at 90 degrees to that plane to join the two.
The mash hook is a less than perfect solution for the reasons I posted. The sling attachment point should be at 90 degrees to the sling body on the AK.
I see Rob’s point, and totally agree, although Grant’s Mash Hook method works too.
Is that hook up above that Rob S posted just the Hk sling hook?
I always thought that the Hk sling hooks would be fine for this app, no?
In all honesty, I make it a general rule to try and AVOID totally, any type of metal-to-metal contact when fastening a sling to a weapon. Not only can it wear off the finish when contacting other parts of your gun (sometimes the bbl itself, etc), but it makes unwanted noise. I suppose the desire for no noise comes from all my years of hunting, and I can see where it wouldn’t be that big a deal to most.
I just love to try and slip the slings webbing through the gun’s sling attachment point, IF it is wide enough.
Grant, how wide is that metal loop/attachment point up front on your Arsenal pic’d above? It APPEARS as if the webbing is WIDER than the metal loop on the gun Arsenal itself. Is that the case, OR could the webbing be run through the Arsenals metal loop, thus omitting the need for any type of mash hook/clip/etc???
I love the Colt 6920 sling swivel for this reason. I just run the VCAS webbing right through it, and I’ve got a simple, quiet hookup point, that CANNOT fail unless the webbing itself is cut.
I guess I’ve always worried that those QD pushbutton sling swivels would fail me. (Others have had this happen, but I’m sure it’s not often). Still, I can’t risk my weapon taking a fall to concrete, rocks, etc.
I love to see GR teaming with BFG to offer us new sling variants!!!
I agree with Rob on this one. I ran a standard Vicker sling with a Bulgarian loop through a Pat Rogers AK class and it worked great. I know there are easier and cheaper ways to get a hook but it was handy. I’d also like to see a better method for attaching the sling at the rear but the side-folding stocks present a problem with that…
The BFG Universal loop works well with the side sling mount. You can also remove it and attach the sling right to the loop on side. This configuration is pretty good and allows you to transition and shoot offhand easily.
I think it is about the only universal solution as well - maybe that’s why it is called the “Universal Loop”. I was messing around with my Arsenal 105 today - I installed a Vltor extension and a MagPul MOE stock. I attached my Viking Tactical sling to the rear sling loop on the MOE and it was choking me when I attempted to do weak side transitions… I think I’m going to use the QD point on the extension and see if I can continue breathing while doing transitions. I say all that because the extension’s QD points are in the same location where the Universal Loop will sit…
I too see what you are saying about having the sling in a different plane.
And I also agree with Grant that the Mash hook appears to be a more robust form of connection.
So I have to wonder to myself if the solution wouldn’t be the addition of another link in between the AK mount and the sling hook, to enable the use of the prefered Mash hook in the orientation that Rob is talking about? This would effectively rotate 90 degrees the orientation of the attachment point of the Mash hook, so that the hook body and sling body lay flat against the rifle.
One thing to think about, most people hear are NOT walking the street of IZ with their weapon slung. 80% of the time the weapon is in your hand. So how “flat” it sits really matters not IMHO.
What does matter though is that when the weapon IS slung, it does not end up in the dirt.
Regarding hooks, I’m not personally a fan of them. That said, the MASH seems to be the best that we have located to date. If you prefer other hooks you can get our standard Victory 2 point sling and add the attachment of your choice to the front and rear.
it’s relevant if you use a HK-style snap hook on the front sling loop of an AK. here’s the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l69zIsdHxs
those spring clip AK hooks can also accidentally release. a MASH hook is much less likely to.
i do know what you’re saying about sling laying flat against the rifle vs. 90° to it.
Not impressed with the ak sling here! The way they have that attached to the rear is stupid. Would have to change it with a hook type. Other than that it’s not bad.
