New guy here. I hope I am posting in the correct section. I am new to AR’s and have acquired an M-4 and need a suggestion for a good sling.
My primary use would be for SHTF situations. So far I have considered a single point, bungee type but would like to know what you like.
Any input would be appreciated and photo’s would be nice too.
I am also looking for a sling for my AKM underfolder; same type.
Best regards,
Charlie
single points arent much good for… anything, really. they’re just weapon retention devices, nothing more. if you need your hands, your knees, dick, and balls will probably get pretty knocked around as the weapon flops to and fro.
2-points are still the standard. you dont have to run them from FSB to stock anymore- you can mount them from the side of the handguard, and anywhere along it, to the end-plate, side of the stock, bottom, top of the stock, and many more configs. i dont have much personal preference… i still make my own, generally, but i also use the standard Blue Force Victory sling http://blueforcegear.com/product.cfm?type=cat&cat_id=5&prod_id=92 .
I have heard this about single points and was considering the SKD tactical single points from their reviews, but am also looking at 2 points, Blue force and Viking , but that is why I am seeking your opinions.
The BFG VCAS Victory should be on the short list of options, they’re great for the price, though it’s a two point.
The SKD Pig, Emdom, and MS2 would also be great options if you’re going one point, the SKD Pig VerII has bungee, which fits your requirements best.
I’m using a Spectre 3-point. I had been using a TAG 3-point prior to that, but the webbing was narrower and a bit uncomfortable. I ran a 2-point standard rifle sling prior to those.
As far as SHTF gear, I’d go 3-point or 2-point due to their retention and versatility. Climbing over stuff, you can toss your rifle over the shoulder on a 3-pt. and get it done.
Bungees hang a bit low for me. I’m 6’-1" and don’t like to ratchet into a sling too tightly for general purpose. Your shins and knees can take a beating with bungee rigs.
Choose wisely and best regards,
I’d stick with a two point. I have a padded VTAC sling, but wish I’d gotten a padded BFG Vickers sling. With the Vickers, you only have one tab to mess with when adjusting it for length when transitioning shoulders. The VTAC works, but you have two tabs to grab, one to lengthen the sling, and one to shorten it, grab the wrong one, and your transition will take twice as long (I know this from experience:(). I also like the padded feature especially if you ever plan on taking a class where you end up wearing your rifle for the entire day.
Try to stay away from the bungee selections. The primary intent of those is so that you can do muzzle strikes, but the result is more along the lines of getting yourself smacked in the mouth with the butt of your rifle if you jump off of something and fail to control it or your hand slips (guilty!). If you get a wild hair and decide that you want to fret over whether or not you need to do muzzle strikes, adjust your sling so you can. Elastic in a sling is largely pointless, unless getting something that deteriorates faster than anything else on the sling is the point.
3-points are 90s slings. Great idea when the choices were limited to them or parade slings. They’re still out there because entities like the Corps still issue them when they aren’t issuing parade slings. They can get in the way of your control features (bolt catch, specifically), are needlessly complicated and get tangles easily.
An adjustable 2-point like those mentioned already does everything a 3-point does in terms of slinging your primary for work or for transitioning to pistol, without interfering with your gun and without binding you up like a calf at a rodeo. There’s many worthwhile selections out there. Pound for pound, I think the best option for most applications; VERY versatile. I currently run a padded VTAC sling on my longer gun, but will probably go back to using an unpadded BFG Vickers. They’re simpler, as noted above.
1-points are the best when it comes to swapping which shoulder you’re shooting from. For all else, they lack in stability, so the gun tends to flop more than a bit when you ditch it, which may or may not bug you. It never has me, and I have no intent on having kids, so I don’t care if my carbine bounces off my wedding tackle. I use an MS2 on my short gun.
In my opinion a 2 point is the way to go, especially if this is for military use. When I was in Iraq (way back in 2005) I had 1 point, and my gun would flop around everywhere. Lets face it, you are not going to be shooting people in the face the entire time. You are going to be crawling out of that 7 ton, searching homes, filling sandbags, ordering PFCs to fill sandbags, running on the fob (though I don’t think they make you carry your guns at all times in afghan/iraq anymore), and doing other duties which the sling comes real practical real fast.
You can also easily transition to a solid fighting stance and put some 62 grains into some Muj head real fast with a 2 point. If you are in need of a longer shot, just tighten the suxer up and you will get added stability for that long range shot that will aid you in killing yet another scumbag.
I suggest looking into the VTAC 2 point padded sling. It is a staple on all my ARs. It provides great stability, and versatility as it easily comes loose if you desire. It can also tighten just as easily.
With any option you desire to go with, always train train train. As the gentleman posted above me … try to stay away from bungee. I have seen many people get hit in the face with their slings …
It’s all personal preference really. I dislike the bungee stuff too.
For longer heavier guns 14.5" and up. I like 2pt slings like the Blue Force Gear Vickers Sling or the Viking Tactics 2pt. For 12.5" and shorter lighter SBRs. I like 1pt slings like the GEAR Sector single points and the Magpul MS2 slings, I do dislike the huge heavy buckle on the MS2 and am eagerly awaiting the MS3 sling which should be really nice when used with the Magpul ASAP plate.
Thanks for the great feedback. I guess bungees are not the way to go, so i am leaning towards a 2 point. Does anyone know anything about the Magoul M3 sling?
1pt with a bit of bungee has an application: I ran one for convoy uses (actually hacked the front peice of a 1pt off and attached it to my plate carrier), but it’s a very limited one at that.
3pt slings really are dated rubbish, treat them as such. Most of my unit has personally owned ones, and all it serves to do is show grunts that we definitely don’t shoot for a living.
If you’re going adjustable two-point, pick based on design. The tail-less dyslexic VCAS system (my favorite), the VTAC, or the Gear Sector setup. Padding can be added too (I used a padded VCAS most of the time, and use that primarily stateside).
You can get them with QD attach points, but I wouldn’t recommend that unless you’ve got handguards, receiver plates, and stocks with integral cups if it can be helped.
You might be able to run a pair of SKD Pig Tails, and attach that to a VCAS/VTAC, and run that one sling between your two rigs.
I have a Magpul MS2 sling and always using the single point setup. I do rifle/carbine drills so transitioning to reaction side is easier to do. Then I can switch to 2pt if I have to throw my rifle around to my back. Only thing I don’t like about the MS2 is that the sling itself is thin and I’ve heard reports of the metal attachment breaking off.
You may find some of the info in this artilce useful (over 20 years of using different sling configurations):
03designgroup | [b]Tactical Slings For The Carbine 
[/b]
This could be another solution for you,
http://www.savvysniper.com/tacticalsling.html
They claim you can go from a 1 point to a 2 point with one hand…They say it can also be adjusted for length with one hand.
It still has the bungee stuff in it though.
Good luck!
i like the magpul wish they would come out with od green.
I think others have covered everything pretty well. I personally like the VCAS slings.
But if you are unsure I would suggest looking at the EMDOM Gunslinger sling. It’s a very versatile design. It can be an adjustable single point, an adjustable two point, and a convertible one/two point. It may not be the best at any one of those configurations, but it allows you to switch things around and decide what works best for you.
Seconded for the Gunslinger. Very versatile. More comfortable than the MS2, and it comes in more colors (for the poster above)!
where can you buy gunslinger
SKD has them - but only in black. SKD seems to be out of stock of almost everything lately.
http://www.skdtac.com/Emdom_E_MM_Gunslinger_Sling_p/e2m.101.htm
But you can also get it direct from Emdom: http://prostores2.carrierzone.com/servlet/emdomusa/Detail?no=57
Three points have always been a problem for me(choking hazard). I see where the use comes in when on the moving but shooting with them has never been great for me.
Two points are great for their simplicity. Stow the rifle when moving, stay out of the way when shooting. my primary choice really.
One point slings I love the idea of, I’m just too freakin short for it to work well. My rifle would always bang into things(stairs, rocks, wall, my balls, etc.). Maybe if i was taller i would love this platform:p