Advice for slings for 870 Express Tactical

[Omigra]

Hi guys. Long time lurker, first time poster.

I have a Remington 870 Express Tactical. It has a mount for a sling on the stock and a swivel sling mount under the magazine.

Can anyone give me some advice if I should use these sling mounts or get a two point sling that does not use the built in mounts. I am having a hard time figuring out which two point slings would be best for my 870. Any links to suggested slings would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[oneounceload]

IF this is for home defense, IMO, you might want to rethink the sling - it is just something else that can snag at the wrong moment - (Mr. Murphy IS alive and well after all)

 

[Omigra]

Yes, it's primarily for home defense. But there are times when I am out on a hike with some friends and we take our guns along for some plinking or just shooting a few rounds off. At times like that a sling would be very helpful.

 

[dak0ta]

Probably a magazine cap with a swivel stud and a swivel stud in the butt stock will be fine. Or you could try an Hk style sling.

 

[Fiv3r]

For a defensive shotgun that I still take out and about, I prefer a nice sling holster.

I can still carry my gun, but i don't have to fight the sling when i have it in hand. Just personal preference.

 

[DBR]

Here are all the slings you could want. I recommend the "Simple Sling" at the bottom of the page. These are excellent quality. I have several of them.

http://www.blueforcegear.com/slings.cfm

You will also need two quick release sling swivels. I suggest Uncle Mikes brand. Cabelas sells them as well as many gun stores.

 

[Omigra]

Thanks DBR. Most of those slings seem to wrap around the stock and magazine. I am trying to find out if it is better to use a system like that or find particular slings that make use the two sling mounts already built into the 870.

In looking through the Remington catalog and the Remington website, I cannot find slings for sale. I would have thought that since the 870 has built in sling mounts that there would be slings specifically designed to take advantage of these.

 

[DBR]

The "simple sling" I suggested uses standard sling swivels to connect to the studs on your shotgun. Those mounts are fine for any normal use.

You can also get a mounting plate that goes between the stock and the receiver like this:

http://www.gggaz.com/index.php?cat=172&parents=153

I use the plate (HK type) at the rear of the receiver and the rear sling stud for a two point mount that allows front or rear carry and immediate use of the gun without unslinging.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

This is what I did with mine. It's a Latigo from Brownells. They come in tan or balck and IIRC 1" or 1-1/4".

You can adjust it just by pulling on the outside or inside loop. It can be used for carry or shooting, or a quick tug gets it up out of the way.

 

[Seven©]

Remington sling that came with swivels. Got it a couple years ago at Wal-Mart. $20 IIRC.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Omigra,

The factory attachment points should work just fine for you. I prefer simple and inexpensive for slings as a rule. But even a bare pair of Uncle Mike's QD 1 1/4" swivels is almost $10 and a surplus GI 'silent sling' to put on them is about $5. Many of the simpler commercial slings don't cost a whole lot more than that, and may well be more secure on their swivels. The GI 'silent slings' occasionally pull out of their buckles if you aren't careful to keep an eye on them.

Slings on pumpguns can be a problem in other ways than 'dumping' the gun if they don't hold. It's important that a sling be attached to the gun in such a way as not to get caught up under the forearm as the pump is cycled forward. That can keep the bolt from closing all the way- not a good thing if you need to get off another quick shot.

The Outdoor Connectiom Express sling ( http://www.outdoorconnection.com/pr...ling&sub_cat=Express+Sling&name=Express+Sling ) is a good simple carrying strap/sling. It's available sewn onto Brute nylon sling swivels for about $20. It comes in several colors and in 1" and 1 1/4" widths. It has 56" of webbing and should adjust out long enough to meet any reasonable need, even on a gun with sling swivel bases a bit further apart than the usual. Despite this, it likely isn't long enough to use as a tactical type sling.

There are several nylon versions of the leather Latigo sling pictured above. Blackhawk makes one, so does Tandy/AA&E Leathercraft, so do a couple of other makers. I have yet to find one of these that is really long enough to use on a shotgun where the sling swivels are further apart than on a normal sporting rifle. Shotguns seems to need longer slings as a rule.

I think QD swivels are the best idea- that way the sling can be removed if it's in the way. But a good sling or carrying strap is a real help sometimes. It should at least be an available option on a serious shotgun.

hth,

lpl

 

[Omigra]

Outstanding. Thanks guys!

 

[AcceptableUserName]

can't go wrong with these guys suggestions, but may I suggest an Eagle Industries AS-14 assault sling? 10 dollars, LIFETIME guarantee. Anything happens they'll replace it, period. It's only an inch thick but it fit and matched my 870 express very well.

 

[San Francisquito Bill]

My dept uses Royal Arms bungee slings and I'm very happy with them. I'm looking for sling attachment methods and then I'll be using one on my HD 870 as well. Hundreds if not thousands of shotguns have been fielded with them and they have worked well.

 

[Gato Montés]

I second what Lee was saying, the simpler the better. All I have is a surplus GI sling on a set of uncle mike's swivels. The sling only cost about 2 bucks off of Brownells but don't let that worry you as it's a fine sling. To keep the sling from loosening, just tape the slack with some duct tape and you're good. Doesn't look the best but it works.

 

[DBR]

If you attach the sling at the rear bottom of the butt-stock and at the butt-stock/receiver joint using a plate as I referenced earlier or just a paracord noose (I know this is unconventional) you don't need a fancy "tactical" sling and it works very well if you carry the sling over the strong side shoulder with weak side arm through the sling muzzle down - it can be slung front or back.

There has been a lot of research on optimum sling ergonomics in the past few years. Don't be biased by past practice.

The reason I recommended the Blue Force Simple Sling is their webbing is custom made. It has a soft "hand" (like WWII cotton straps) and is very high quality. For $18 it is cheap in the overall scheme of things and will last several lifetimes.

You can still attach the sling to the mag cap swivel for conventional carry.