Home Defense Sling?

Is a Sling Needed for Home Defense?

  • Yes- a home defense long gun should have a sling

    Votes: 15 35.7%

  • No- a home defense long gun is better without a sling

    Votes: 27 64.3%
  • Total voters
    42
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
Panzerschwein

Panzerschwein

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Who thinks a sling on a home defense rifle or shotgun is a good idea? Do you think it could get snagged in the confines of a home, or offer an intruder more leverage to disarm you? Or is it beneficial?

Thoughts?
 
I didn’t vote because they are both correct and wrong answers. A sling is great for when you need it. Not having a sling is great if it’s just going to get in your way.
Let’s imagine two scenerios-
1. You have a sling on. You have time, you know you might be getting into a gun fight, you have a side arm, you are able to transistion between the two with positive control of each weapon and have free hands for barricading or maybe even calling 911
2. You don’t have a sling. Something goes bump in the night, you pull that rifle from under the bed and go to work, quick and in a hurry.

Basically you can base 100 different scenerios that can add a plus or minus either way.

A more definite answer, if you were “defending” yourself say backpacking in BFE, I’d be hard pressed to say have a sling.
 
And a 2 point sling won’t get snagged on anything if you use it right.
1 point drags on the ground unless you caribean it on to a plate carrier but then the only way to get it off is the quick release.
And three point slings are garbage. I cant think of a good reason to have a three point over a two point unless you were wearing a bomb suit.
 
I don't really know, to be honest. I'm just going to watch this thread and try to get some good info. I don't have a sling on my Mini-14 as of right now (I'm concerned about it snagging on something if I have to actually use it), but I would be willing to add one if I hear a convincing argument.
 
I have a Condor Speedy Sling for my AR, it uses quick-clip buckles at both ends, and a quick slide length adjustment.
Result: it has 3" sling stubs that stay on my buttstock and handguard, but if i need a sling, i can fit it in about 10 seconds.

It's not a name brand "operator" sling, but it's surprisingly well thought-out and also cheap.
 
If you have a long gun and that's it, no sling. If you grab the long gun and also put on a pistol, use a sling on the long gun.

I keep a pistol for primary indoor home defense, not an AR or shotgun, but the two go-to long guns (AR and 870) for use outside the house for wild animals have slings. The one AR that is for indoor work and general purpose utility has no sling, iron sights only and a white light. It has QD sling mounts for the times I take it outside or to the range.

You absolutely need a sling to transition to a pistol...or at least if you're going to practice transitions without dumping your long gun in the gravel/dirt/concrete...

Slings are for using your hands for something else. Home defense your hands should be on the gun or it should be stowed.
 
I normally would subscribe to the idea of "a rifle without a sling is like a pistol without a holster." In other words, a necessary accessory.

However, it might be a hindrance within the home, in a HD situation.

If you keep a sling installed on the rifle (for all normal purposes), it would make no sense to take the time to remove it if a HD need arises.

How many people keep a rifle for dedicated HD use only?
 
Slings are for using your hands for something else. Home defense your hands should be on the gun or it should be stowed.
Click to expand...
Hands can also be needed during HD for things like grabbing/scooping children, calling 911, and so forth. HD is more than just a-shootin' at varmints.

Securing a long gun while doing those things is probably easiest done by using a sling to secure the gun to your body (retention) while your hands do other things. At least that's the thinking that I've come to. YMMV.
 
Cooldill said:
Who thinks a sling on a home defense rifle or shotgun is a good idea? Do you think it could get snagged in the confines of a home, or offer an intruder more leverage to disarm you? Or is it beneficial?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Bad idea; yes it can easily get snagged; yes, it is just one more thing foe the BG to grab and take your gun away
 
I like the idea of having a sling on a home defense long gun. If you use it right you are unlikely to get it caught on things and it makes it very convenient if you need to transition to another weapon, grab a kid, or make a call to 911.



George P said:
it is just one more thing foe the BG to grab and take your gun away
Click to expand...
Maybe I'm not seeing the whole situation as you envision it, but if someone is trying to disarm you by grabbing the sling of your gun, thats a perfect opportunity to shoot them with either the long gun or a sidearm.
 
Very bad idea. You only need slings for long-term carrying or traversing. Other examples are for Guard duty.

@Telekinesis It doesn't always work as you plan it, what if that person is stronger than you and has one hand on your gun pushing it towards the sky and the other on your sling getting ready to roll you on your back so they can leg lock you up and break your arm? You have to realize that you don't always get a clear shot and the gun doesn't always work every time. You have to think about those times where you KNOW that to be the case (which could be EVERY time which is why you are to train and prepare for that).

As a different example, what if the perpetrator was armed, had one hand on their pocket pistol already aimed at your face with their finger on the trigger and their other arm was manipulating your sling to disable or disarm you entirely? What if the Sling was a detriment that merely allowed the attacker a foothold to finish you off? Realize that you don't always have the upper hand and there is always someone better than you.

What about another scenario? The guy is hiding in the darkness and you don't see him, he uses stealth to his advantage and grabs you from behind as you pass him walking through the hallway or doorway. He's got you good and that sling is merely helping him to strangle you, you can't escape and now you're toast. :)

Really, if the perp is unarmed and you want some thing long and intimidating that they can't grab ...a good ol' sword would do the trick! :) Can't grab that without suffering the consequences and it can inflict less than lethal blows while still incapacitating or other wise debilitating a target.
 
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Seems to me that those of you in the "just another thing for the bad guy to grab onto" camp are missing a bigger picture. If you're going hands-on with a home invader, your plan (or lack thereof) has already failed and things have now entirely gone to poop ...

Seriously, are some of you planning to single-handedly clear your home room by room?

Anyhow, I've used and been using a sling on carbines for my entire military and post-military careers ... and used to clearing spaces smaller than the confines of my current home. If you're concerned about a slung weapon "getting snagged" you probably need to take a dedicated carbine (or shotgun) training course.

Not having a sling also doesn't work well if you don't have an attached weaponlight or someone to dial 911 for you as well. As another member noted, you might also be required to hold/carry/move family members to other rooms or outside, too.
 
Slings are indeed useful for clearing rooms but generally that doesn't happen if there is an intruder in your home. You're not doing swat style room clearing, you're going to explore what that noise is and hoping you don't get surprised in the process. Honestly, a pistol with a tac light is a much better option for home defense than a long rifle any day of the week unless you live on a property with lots of space (like a ranch) where you need the long distance accuracy.
If you shoot a home intruder with a long gun you're most likely going to be putting holes in your walls or bullets in your house. Easy to over-penetrate and the long barrel of the rifle will simply make it that much easier for someone near you to grab it (which is really not difficult to do, especially if you're at a stand off and not 100% on shooting them dead). So, the answer to the OP is that a long rifle with a sling is not the best choice for home defense.
 
KeyboardCommando said:
Very bad idea. You only need slings for long-term carrying or traversing. Other examples are for Guard duty.

@Telekinesis It doesn't always work as you plan it, what if that person is stronger than you and has one hand on your gun pushing it towards the sky and the other on your sling getting ready to roll you on your back so they can leg lock you up and break your arm? You have to realize that you don't always get a clear shot and the gun doesn't always work every time. You have to think about those times where you KNOW that to be the case (which could be EVERY time which is why you are to train and prepare for that).

As a different example, what if the perpetrator was armed, had one hand on their pocket pistol already aimed at your face with their finger on the trigger and their other arm was manipulating your sling to disable or disarm you entirely? What if the Sling was a detriment that merely allowed the attacker a foothold to finish you off? Realize that you don't always have the upper hand and there is always someone better than you.

What about another scenario? The guy is hiding in the darkness and you don't see him, he uses stealth to his advantage and grabs you from behind as you pass him walking through the hallway or doorway. He's got you good and that sling is merely helping him to strangle you, you can't escape and now you're toast. :)

Really, if the perp is unarmed and you want some thing long and intimidating that they can't grab ...a good ol' sword would do the trick! :) Can't grab that without suffering the consequences and it can inflict less than lethal blows while still incapacitating or other wise debilitating a target.
Click to expand...
Well no one should have a gun because everyone is going to be killed by someone with that logic.
Which is partly true, you always run the risk of some killing you in combat.
No point in trying I guess. You’ll just die anyways. Death by sling.
 
At my house there is an AR by the bed, a handgun on the nightstand and another in the drawer along with some spare mags. The AR has a sling and a mounted light, one of the handguns has a laser. There is at least one more flashlight and two mobile phones. I should also have a fire extinguisher, I think I'll order a couple while it's on my mind.
However anyone else chooses to prepare for home defense is fine with me and I hope it's never needed.
 
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My AR is my go to long gun for HD. I have a single point sling with a quick disconnect. Snap on, snap off. Immediate use for HD, I prefer no sling. I attend "bump in the night" with a handgun. Reverting to the AR, (breaking glass, threat visible, gunfire or weapon seen....) already wearing a handgun, needs a sling, for all the reasons already stated...
 
KeyboardCommando said:
Very bad idea. You only need slings for long-term carrying or traversing. Other examples are for Guard duty.

@Telekinesis It doesn't always work as you plan it, what if that person is stronger than you and has one hand on your gun pushing it towards the sky and the other on your sling getting ready to roll you on your back so they can leg lock you up and break your arm? You have to realize that you don't always get a clear shot and the gun doesn't always work every time. You have to think about those times where you KNOW that to be the case (which could be EVERY time which is why you are to train and prepare for that).

As a different example, what if the perpetrator was armed, had one hand on their pocket pistol already aimed at your face with their finger on the trigger and their other arm was manipulating your sling to disable or disarm you entirely? What if the Sling was a detriment that merely allowed the attacker a foothold to finish you off? Realize that you don't always have the upper hand and there is always someone better than you.

What about another scenario? The guy is hiding in the darkness and you don't see him, he uses stealth to his advantage and grabs you from behind as you pass him walking through the hallway or doorway. He's got you good and that sling is merely helping him to strangle you, you can't escape and now you're toast. :)

Really, if the perp is unarmed and you want some thing long and intimidating that they can't grab ...a good ol' sword would do the trick! :) Can't grab that without suffering the consequences and it can inflict less than lethal blows while still incapacitating or other wise debilitating a target.
Click to expand...

So we should be carrying a SKS with the bayonet unfolded! Perfect! :)

So who are you fighting anyway? Ninjas? I think all of those scenarios would turn out the same regardless of if a sling was on the gun or not. I guess I'll concede the point that you can't ALWAYS shoot someone when they are trying to disarm you, especially if we're already talking about someone who already has a gun in your face.

What im really getting from your post is don't do room clearing by yourself, which is something I would agree with.
 
Telekinesis said:
So we should be carrying a SKS with the bayonet unfolded! Perfect! :)

So who are you fighting anyway? Ninjas? I think all of those scenarios would turn out the same regardless of if a sling was on the gun or not. I guess I'll concede the point that you can't ALWAYS shoot someone when they are trying to disarm you, especially if we're already talking about someone who already has a gun in your face.

What im really getting from your post is don't do room clearing by yourself, which is something I would agree with.
Click to expand...
:)
I didn’t know we were defending the house from NSWDG. I feel like soon we are going to be talking about putting slams outside the windows and putting claymores around the house using TOW wire as trip lines to avoid being choked to death by ones sling.
 
rbernie said:
Hands can also be needed during HD for things like grabbing/scooping children, calling 911, and so forth. HD is more than just a-shootin' at varmints.

Securing a long gun while doing those things is probably easiest done by using a sling to secure the gun to your body (retention) while your hands do other things. At least that's the thinking that I've come to. YMMV.
Click to expand...

True. If you need a sling, by all means, use a sling to accomplish what you need to accomplish. I use a pistol, but if I used an AR I'd just clear the hallway I have to clear and sit there the same as I would with the pistol.

Maybe some of us are talking about a sling on a rifle that we aren't wearing. That's a bad idea. If you're wearing a slung rifle with any of the modern combat two-point slings, I think it's probably unlikely to have that sling get caught on something or used against you any more than the actual long gun would be used against you.
 
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