What slings are you guys using for AR15s?

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taliv said:
i think this thread would have benefited greatly from a discussion of requirements before discussing solutions. what do you want your sling to do?
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Bingo.
taliv said:
despite being simple 100+ year old technology, slings are remarkably esoteric. even at camp perry, i'd be surprised if half the competitors had properly configured their slings. and tactical slings seem like a mystery to most people, who mostly give up and just use them like carry straps and even then can't figure out which arm goes through the sling.
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Good point. What's really funny is watching someone try to figure out how to sling a rifle or shotgun with a 3-point tactical (with the loop) sling. Yeah, those are fine if all you're doing is walking foot patrol in the subway stations, but when it's time to start throwing lots of rounds downrange, the hilarity ensues (more so if reloading is required).

I will say that I bought a nice leather military sling out of nostalgia, started to put it on one of my hunting rifles... and I couldn't remember how to put one together (I can neither confirm nor deny that I might have had to watch a YouTube video for reference).

taliv said:
maybe we need a sling education thread.
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At least something with some references as to the differing types out there and what their purposes are. What works for an infantryman doesn't always work for a vehicle-based patrol cop; what works for a whitetail hunter in thick forest probably won't work for a Camp Perry shooter and what works for a prison officer in a tower won't work for a tactical team door-kicker...
 
I have the padded V-TAC on probably a dozen guns. Maybe more. It was the first tactical type sling I tried and I was hooked. Gone is the notion that a sling is only a strap for carrying over the shoulder. The Magpul is also very good, I have one or two of those as well. I agree with @taliv that an education thread would be helpful. It might change your perspective and cut down on the "operator" rhetoric if folks knew how they worked.

Think about what a sling does before you go cheap. They are very much like holsters. How much did your rifle cost? How much is your life worth? If you value your rifle and/or depend on it in a defensive role, going cheap to save $20 is absurd. The V-TAC is $50 and I consider that cheap insurance. I wouldn't carry a $1000 pistol in a $10 holster any more than I'd depend on a $10 sling attached to a $1000 rifle.


Ethan Verity said:
I prefer just the super simple USGI nylon silent sling. Simply a nylon strap, with 2 buckles... set to my preferred length, and left alone. I've no interest in fancy quick adjustable slings, since I can't imagine myself wanting to fuss with sling adjustments in the middle of a gunfight anyway.
View attachment 1021300
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Yeah, that's not really the point and it is done so quickly and easily, without even looking at it, there's really no reason not to use one.


trackskippy said:
If you're only slinging one rifle/pistol, $35-40 for a sling might not seem bad, but it gets pretty expensive pretty quick when slinging multiple guns and you like commonality.
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Then use quick release swivels and move the sling from gun to gun.
 
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CraigC said:
Then use quick release swivels and move the sling from gun to gun.
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Every gun gets a sling, and gets its own sling. At least around here. What good is a rifle if it doesnt have a sling? :)

What next? One optic on a QD mount for all your guns and just move it around?

You dont have to spend a lot of money to get a serviceable sling that will hold up to heavy use. Simple is better too.
 
taliv said:
i think this thread would have benefited greatly from a discussion of requirements before discussing solutions. what do you want your sling to do?
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I was told it was one of the essential accessories to get. I don't know all the possible ways to use a sling but in my head I want something to serve like a holster. Like if I need to set my rifle down to use a tool, transition to pistol, vault an obstacle, etc. that's when I'd say "dang, glad I got this sling". Could work for longer distance carry too, but for that I might be open to something like a carry handle rear sight; at least while I can't really afford an optic
 
Sure, long distance carry and being hands free with retention (without losing control of your rifle) are the two primary use cases for a sling.

And if that’s truly all you need a simple strap will do.

but then you start using it and discover
- you’d like it to be loose enough to shoot with the sling on
- you’d like to be able to kneel or bend over without the muzzle digging into the dirt.
- you’d like to be able to carry on your front or back
- and keep it tight to your body while running so it doesn’t slap the crap out of you
- and not slide down and hang like your purse
- you’d like support when shooting precision
- you don’t want the rifle to hit your nuts when you transition to pistol
- you want it to be strong enough to aid in retention if someone puts their hands on your gun like they tried with St Kyle
- you don’t want it to rub your shoulder raw
- you don’t want it to make noise
- you don’t want it to mar your fancy finish
- you want to be able to remove and reattach it quickly to the gun
- you don’t want it to catch on your holstered pistol and pull it out of its holster
- you want it to not impede your speed reloads
- you want it to permit shooting from both shoulders and ambidextrous
- you’d like it to allow both muzzle up and muzzle down ready positions when doing entry
Geez I could go on for hours like this

Obviously the point is what you want to do with it matters and will drive what decisions like kind of material, how many straps and buckles and frogs and keepers and swivels or flush cups or clips etc

you’re not going to get all of those things at the same time, but you probably don’t need all those at the same time either. And you might be surprised how many of them you can get in one sling that allows quick reconfiguration, conversion and adjustment.
 
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trackskippy said:
Every gun gets a sling, and gets its own sling. At least around here. What good is a rifle if it doesnt have a sling? :)

What next? One optic on a QD mount for all your guns and just move it around?
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Slings don't have to be zeroed.


trackskippy said:
You dont have to spend a lot of money to get a serviceable sling that will hold up to heavy use. Simple is better too.
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$35-$50 is not what I'd call a "ton of money". Simple is fine if all you want is a carrying strap. I used to think that's all a sling was good for too. These do more than that. Have any of you poo-pooing these slings ever actually used one? Probably not.
 
CraigC said:
Slings don't have to be zeroed.
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Most AR's are pretty close damn close with an optic swap, and some right on. Most are actually useable, at least thats been my experience. I still use the same principle with the optics as I do the slings though. One for each. :thumbup:


CraigC said:
$35-$50 is not what I'd call a "ton of money". Simple is fine if all you want is a carrying strap. I used to think that's all a sling was good for too. These do more than that. Have any of you poo-pooing these slings ever actually used one? Probably not.
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Ive used most of the different types at least once. Starting with the originator, the HK system.

I found most of the 3 point AR set ups to be overly complicated and "busy" with not a lot of benefit. Usually WAY overpriced too.

As been mentioned a number of times now, the 1 point just suck.

Simple 2 point, especially if you set the QD swivels up right, work well, are easily adjusted if you use a simple slider, and if you leave the original front swivel in place, they can easily and fairly quickly reconfigured into a proper shooting sling.

They also can easily be made up with good webbing and buckles/sliders for just a few bucks.

But if you want to spend a lot on a fancy one, have at it.
 
I don’t know why but I have one sling per AR too. Honestly I only use one at a time and I get the same sling on all of them. There’s no reason I can think of to put a separate sling on each but here we are…
 
CraigC said:
Think about what a sling does before you go cheap. They are very much like holsters. How much did your rifle cost? How much is your life worth? If you value your rifle and/or depend on it rifle in a defensive role, going cheap to save $20 is absurd. The V-TAC is $50 and I consider that cheap insurance. I wouldn't carry a $1000 pistol in a $10 holster any more than I'd depend on a $10 sling attached to a $1000 rifle.
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Bingo.
 
Funny, but those $10 (at the time I bought them) GI BAR and M1 slings work just as well as those aftermarket $50+ slings Ive used in the past, and are actually better, as they are simple and functional.

This really isnt about the money, its about what works. If you get more for less, I really dont see what the big deal is. Or is that the big deal?

Look at it this way, a good leather holster usually sets you back about $100, where a good, "cheap looking" kydex holster might cost you $50. From personal experience with both, the kydex has always outlasted and outperformed the leather, especially with hard use. Which is the better deal?

Id be the first to tell you that you usually get what you pay for, and better quality usually costs you. And in many cases, it does. But from what Ive seen with the GI slings, and a few of the self made versions, you get way more than your money's worth. I wouldnt have any problems putting one on a $1000 gun, and I have them on a couple.
 
I don’t even know what gi or bar slings are unless you’re talking about the olive drab gi “web” slings that do a passable job as a carry strap and you can sling up and get support.
 
The very ones. They work great on the AR's, as a carry sling and a shooting sling if you wish.

The BAR versions are longer and give a bit more adjustment, but unfortunately, they have become somewhat collectible these days. If you can find one in good shape for $10, you got a great deal. The last couple Ive seen, were going for north of $50.

Maybe for some, thats what makes them "better". :)
 
derek45 said:
VTAC

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And this is the way my sling is designed to work, it's actually pretty intuitive if you know what you want it to do, and it would be very handy if you were in a real tactical situation. Watching this video I realize I also need one on my shotgun.
 
trackskippy said:
Funny, but those $10 (at the time I bought them) GI BAR and M1 slings work just as well as those aftermarket $50+ slings Ive used in the past, and are actually better, as they are simple and functional.
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Apples and oranges. This is almost comical. A WWII carrying strap and a modern tactical sling are worlds apart. To suggest that they do the same thing is to completely betray your total lack of knowledge on the subject.
 
I use the Magpul MS1 two point sling on a couple ARs. It all really depends what you want the sling to do for you and what you are going to use it for. If all you want is a carry strap something less may do. For $50ish dollars you can get a pretty good quality sling (V-Tac, Magpul, etc) and for what you get I don't find that too offensive.

I've seen guys carry hunting rifles with clothes line rope. What ever makes you feel good. Its not about what looks good or what the fad is, its about what makes YOU feel good.

-Jeff
 
CraigC said:
Apples and oranges. This is almost comical. A WWII carrying strap and a modern tactical sling are worlds apart. To suggest that they do the same thing is to completely betray your total lack of knowledge on the subject.
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LOL. Im back to "simple" because of what I learned in trying most of the other different types out, and know what I know from doing so.

Maybe you need to catch up. :)

Ive also found that a lot of the older and/or more simple gear works really well too, and is usually better made than a lot of the tricky stuff. In practice, simple and functional usually beats tricky and super cool hands down. The fact a lot of it is dirt cheap in comparison just sweetens the deal.

I guess Im just not as concerned or impressed as some, about trying to be one of the cool "operators".
 
There's been a huge upsurge in sling use once our military began street operations that involved detention and search. That is an MP function, however. In the day, the Infantry School taught NO sling, as it was a tactical annoyance in the field and caused more hangups than it was worth. Goes to working urban build up areas, too - slings hang up on everything sticking out, and if it does that when you suddenly engage in a dynamic movement you have discovered why you don't want one.

For every good point a sling might offer, there is an equally weighty negative. In fact, every piece of kit you acquire does that. Case in point? Young shepherd delivering lunch for his brothers in the front lines hear's the taunting mockery of a McSupersized enemy - and vows to take him on.

He didn't wear the kings armor, he took what he knew and was good with.

Don't be looking at all the stuff for sale which adds more merit badges to your kit out, figure out what you really need. Some very much prefer a sling, I haven't much used one ever while in the field. I view slings like capes -

No capes!
 
trackskippy said:
LOL. Im back to "simple" because of what I learned in trying most of the other different types out, and know what I know from doing so.

Maybe you need to catch up. :)

Ive also found that a lot of the older and/or more simple gear works really well too, and is usually better made than a lot of the tricky stuff. In practice, simple and functional usually beats tricky and super cool hands down. The fact a lot of it is dirt cheap in comparison just sweetens the deal.

I guess Im just not as concerned or impressed as some, about trying to be one of the cool "operators".
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As I said, a modern tac sling and a "simple" carrying strap are worlds apart. One actually improves the function of the rifle. The other is just for carrying it. The only "trick" is hardware that facilitates rapid adjustment. Now, you can choose to use whatever you like, I don't care but you're not gonna sit there and tell me the "simple" solution is better. Because it ain't and "I know that from doing so". Condescending cracks about "operators" are just a deflection. "Cool" has nothing to do with it. :confused:
 
"Simple" is pretty much always better, but if you like things more complicated, knock yourself out.
 
trackskippy said:
"Simple" is pretty much always better, but if you like things more complicated, knock yourself out.
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I usually think of the things that win races and wars, support industry and make money as quite complicated. Simple is usually part of the requirements for strategies involving conscripts

Of course, all other things being equal, simpler is better. But all other things are never equal so that’s really just a meaningless proverb
 
trackskippy said:
"Simple" is pretty much always better, but if you like things more complicated, knock yourself out.
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By that logic, an iron sighted single shot should be a better defensive tool than a "complicated" AR15 with a tactical sling, red dot and weaponlight. :rofl:
 
trackskippy said:
"Simple" is pretty much always better, but if you like things more complicated, knock yourself out.
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I agree.....if a VTAC sling is too "complicated" for you, ..........you should stick with something more simple.

LOL

:neener:
 
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