Hello, everyone!
I’ve been using GI and hunting type slings all my life but now have reached the conclusion that I need something on my carbine that adjusts more quickly. After some research I now think that Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Sling (VCAS) is the way to go for me.
Only one question remains: padded or not?
I think padded would be more comfortable, but are there any drawbacks with it?
Please share your experiences, if you have any.
Thanks!
ak
padded is WAY more comfortable, the only drawback is it is too long for small guys like me.
I just received a padded model at my dept. to T&E. It’s too long for a 6920 using the stock side sling mount on the barrel, and a CTR stock. As it won’t sung up to the body tight enough for hands on type applications.
When taking to Ashley about it, they do offer a shorter version…just for info.
Overall, I would recommend the padded version…I’ve tried both.
When I pack a rifle, it’s usually for hours.
It would be nice to be able to have it snug. And I was even thinking about a fastex buckle at the rear to add the ability to switch between different weapons with different kind of attachment points. Well, I can do with out it if necessary.
Would it be possible for you to measure the overall length of the sling while it’s in the shortest position? I can then adjust my GI-sling accordingly and try it on for size. I’m about 5’11", medium build.
Thanks!
ak
Sorry, but I already packaged it, and shipped it back.
To give an idea, we have someone your size in our dept., and even with his vest on, he couldn’t get it cinched up snug enough.
I’m 6-2 205 with a 43" chest and with my vest on, and with all the excess taken up, I couldn’t get it snug enough.
When I get the shorter version, will let you know about it.
I also obtained a VTAC for T&E, and it cinches snug on everyone.
Padded is great, but it is way too long as others have said.
Exactly how small are you? I’m 5-07 and about 153 lbs. I obviously don’t want too long of a sling.
I’m 5’06" / 150lbs. The padded version is a longer than the standard VCAS. But if you sinch down the middle section of the sling as much as possible, the lenght is not a problem.
From my understanding Blue Force Gear is shortening the length of the pad on the padded version by a few inches.
In this thread I wrote why I prefer the padded VCAS and you can see pics as to how short I have the middle section of the sling:
I was talking to Ashley Burnsed at Blue Force Gear a year or so ago about something unrelated and he asked what I thought of a padded version of his VCAS sling:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=12270&highlight=padded+VCAS
[i]At the time I told him it was unneeded.
A few months ago I tried one and I simply didn’t know what I didn’t know. I was so impressed with the padded version that I’m in the process of changing ALL of my VCAS slings over to the padded version.
The padded portion of the sling won’t chaff exposed skin, it slides over gear more easily (not that I ever had a problem with the standard VCAS, but the padded version slides over gear more easliy), no buckles on the portion of the sling that goes over your shoulder and around your back, etc.
Both the padded and un-padded VCAS slings are awesome, but for me after trying both, I much prefer the padded version.
Pics of my using the padded version in Pat Rogers class last weekend are posted on page 52 in the “AR Picture Thread” that is tacked at the top of this section.[/i]
I ran the padded VCAS sling in Pat Rogers (EAG Tactical) 3 day carbine operators course earlier this year, and had no issues relating to the length of the sling:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=15210
I’ve been running the VCAS sling for about 2.5 years. My preference is for the padded version, but you can’t go wrong with either version.
S/F,
Jeff
I am 5’11" and 175, and I find it too long. When you adjusted the bottom of the of the upper loop to shorten it, what did you do with the long floppy tail that resulted?
Cut it off. Look at the pics in the links I posted above.
There is no doubt that the padded VCAS is longer than the standard version, and my carbine does hang a little lower than it did with the standard version, but I have had no issues with it. And when wearing armor the extra length is a non issue.
S/F,
Jeff
Of course, but I have been reluctant to do so as I keep hoping to find another less perminant solution that would allow me to shorten it now without the floppy tail, but still be able to have it longer in the future if I ever needed it that way. But I just don’t see how that can happen with the current design. I was hoping you might have figured it out.
Padded VCAS with upper loop adjusted to shortest length equals 13.75" floppy tail:
Current solution - floppy tail folded over double and retained with a velcro strap from my underwater gear:
I have 4 of the original VCAS, 1 Victory edition, and 1 padded.
The padded is the one to get.
BFG makes them long on purpose. A large guy wearing armor and a lot of kit needs a longer sling.
If you never wear anything, and you’re slender, you don’t all the extra material. Cut it and singe it.
If you’re undecided, lay the excess parallel to the padded section and secure it with some 100 mph tape, until you decide what you want to do.
If you carry a rifle on you more than 1 hr, the benefits of the padded sling become obvious, and it sells itself.
I will be selling all my non-padded VCAS slings to upgrade to the padded version.
It’s that good.
Padded is the only way to fly.
For those of you finding the sling too long, it is really a matter of how you have it configured. Connecting the sling at the two opposite ends of the weapons generally does not work well. Mounting the sling on a receiver plate basically fixes this issue.
C4
Yep, that is me.
Agree +1
Nope, not for me. Mine is mounted to the QD socket at the rear of a DD Omega and to the QD socket in a DD upper receiver endplate.
The sling is great, but it is too long for me. But I am not going to cut a $70 sling. I would rather keep the extra and secure it as I posted a picture above as I might need the extra someday, just not now.
This is the setup I run and have no issues. I am 6ft 190lbs. So unless you are the size of a school girl, you have configured the sling wrong and or are trying to make it too tight. Remember that you want the sling to position the buttstock about 1-2 fists below your chin (with the stock fully extended). You also want the weapon to be several fists away from your body (if you pulled the weapon straight out).
Take a pic of your setup so I can see if something is not setup correctly.
C4
I have to admit, I haven’t moved my padded sling over to my 14.5" carbine yet so I haven’t had a chance to test the RE endplate point. I have the sling as short as it can be and won’t cut the excess, I’ll just velcro it up as suggested. It is SO much more comfortable on my middy compared to my non padded VCAS. I’m sure I’ll like it in the new QD position.
This is good to know Grant, thanks. I just checked mine and it is GTG. I just setup a Cobra version last night on my Carbine and I ended up cutting about 7" off it and I am 6’3" 200lb.
No offense, but like what? The QD sockets in the DD Omega and the DD endplate are pretty straight forward.
The reason I want it short is to be able to snug it up against me when I am doing other things with my hands so it doesn’t move around. In normal ready or running and gunning I make it longer with the quick adjust in the bottom loop so it operates as you described.
And just what is wrong with a school girl, anyway? Some of my best memories are of school girls! 
I guess how tight one can get/want the sling, depends on your application with the rifle.
In LE where you may have to go hands on, the several fists away from the body is unacceptable for street use. One must be able to snug it up so there’s very little play, when taking control of a subject such as cuffing etc.
On the VCAS padded I received, it’s attached to the standard 6920 side sling mount on the barrel, and to the CTR stock. If one attaches it to the end plate, then pulls it tight, the rifle will ride up, with the butt being level with your face…again unacceptable for LE street use.
I’m 6-2 205, and when wearing a vest, having all 3 adjustments taken up to their fullest, one can not get the rifle to snug up tight to the body.
Grant, nothing against you’re suggestion of how to adjust the sling, for general range use etc., yep it’s the way to go…and the VCAS padded I sling I got would work. But for LE street use, it would not.