Is a sling a good idea for a HD long gun?
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Certaindeaf
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I think so for about any long gun. You might need both hands.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
I've always agreed with the notion that a sling is unnecessary on an HD gun. You aren't carrying it on long hikes not are you going to need to sling up for accuracy.
Also, in the confines of a house, a sling may likely snag on something.
That said, sling mounts are a good thing to have just in case you ever do need to attach one.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk. Hence all the misspellings and goofy word choices.
Also, in the confines of a house, a sling may likely snag on something.
That said, sling mounts are a good thing to have just in case you ever do need to attach one.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk. Hence all the misspellings and goofy word choices.
If your HD plan involves the likelihood of needing both hands, for example to pick up kids and move them, then it makes sense. If the plan is to defend yourself from one place, it's less likely to be necessary. If you're unsure then you could just keep a sling on it. For me, I like to have on the weapon what I feel will be necessary for it to serve it's intended purpose, and no more.
Old judge creek
Member
IMO, absolutely NOT for home defense.
Think about it: the house is completely dark save for the Tac Light on your rifle/shotgun.
What are the odds that in such close quarters you won't snag the sling on a door knob, or even worse a door knob "lever" like my late wife had me install throughout the house because of her extreme arthritis?
I believe slings for all long arms with the exception of arms intended to be wielded indoors - especially in the dark.
YMMV
Think about it: the house is completely dark save for the Tac Light on your rifle/shotgun.
What are the odds that in such close quarters you won't snag the sling on a door knob, or even worse a door knob "lever" like my late wife had me install throughout the house because of her extreme arthritis?
I believe slings for all long arms with the exception of arms intended to be wielded indoors - especially in the dark.
YMMV
PBR Streetgang
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I wouldn't own a long gun without the ability to mount a sling to it. If it doesn't come with sling attachment points,as soon as it's broken in they are added.
Btw ,the sling is so much more that just a way to carry a long gun, if used properly it makes a stable shooting platform to improve your accuracy.
Btw ,the sling is so much more that just a way to carry a long gun, if used properly it makes a stable shooting platform to improve your accuracy.
And, obviuosly, a sling
I almost think that in this scenario a handgun would be better. You'd have to keep reslinging/unslinging as you get the kids, etc.
I get what you mean about having the minimum necessary and no more. I've got a Benelli SuperNova that I've tricked out with cheap parts, and I'm starting to think I should just return it almost to its stock configuration (keeping the magazine extension). Mainly because the SuperNova doesn't really trick out well and it's gotten so bulky.
I can't think of a reasonable use for one in a HD setting...the chance of snagging or fouling the sling is a much more real concern
1. If you need both hands for something like picking up a child, you have basically disarmed yourself by slinging the weapon and filling both hands.
2. While I have used a sling to stabilize a long gun in small bore competition and in the field, this isn't very likely inside your home.
3. The advantage of a long arm in a HD setting is from a established defensive position. Unless you have a very open floor plan, the longer length becomes more of a disadvantage.
I've used a shotgun with a sling attached when working in LE, but that is a completely different situation. I could be called upon to sling the gun to handcuff a suspect and it isn't usually a good idea to leave a gun leaning against a wall in an unfamiliar environment...plus I always had my handgun on my hip
1. If you need both hands for something like picking up a child, you have basically disarmed yourself by slinging the weapon and filling both hands.
2. While I have used a sling to stabilize a long gun in small bore competition and in the field, this isn't very likely inside your home.
3. The advantage of a long arm in a HD setting is from a established defensive position. Unless you have a very open floor plan, the longer length becomes more of a disadvantage.
I've used a shotgun with a sling attached when working in LE, but that is a completely different situation. I could be called upon to sling the gun to handcuff a suspect and it isn't usually a good idea to leave a gun leaning against a wall in an unfamiliar environment...plus I always had my handgun on my hip
beatledog7
Member
I can't get my head around an HD scenario where you're both trying to shoot and carry children. These are incompatible activities. If your children are old enough to run, they're old enough to be taught how to urgently respond to certain very simple directions, such as "Cover!"
If they can't move about on their own, do you know exactly where you're going to take them to hunker down? That's where your gun should be. Get them, go there.
My HD shotgun has no sling, nor will it ever. I don't need anything extra to manage, and from my position I don't need a sling to stabilize the gun.
If they can't move about on their own, do you know exactly where you're going to take them to hunker down? That's where your gun should be. Get them, go there.
My HD shotgun has no sling, nor will it ever. I don't need anything extra to manage, and from my position I don't need a sling to stabilize the gun.
While I agree with you on this, it may be necessary, depending on your situation to disarm yourself temporarily. However, a handgun can be drawn with one hand faster than a rifle can be unslinged two-handed (unless you have one of those tactical slings), so I'd say handgun + holster would be better in this circumstance.
chris in va
Member
I tried using my unloaded AR in a HD scenario. It was darn near impossible holding the 7.5# gun and 'talking' on the phone at the same time, not to mention a flashlight to identify the threat.
I'll stick with my handgun.
I'll stick with my handgun.
JustinJ
Member
The biggest advantage a sling would offer is retention. For example, if one leaves the room to recover children and the intruder is able to grab the gun before its used it would certainly be better to prevent him from gaining complete control of it.
I have dogs as well so if somebody broke into my home it could eventually be necessary to gain control of them. If i had to pull them off of a subdued intruder i'd rather be able to flip the rifle around to my back than set it down but realistically a pistol would be much better suited for such a task. Before anybody tells me about how risky it would be to pull the dogs off i'm not going to wait for the police to arrive and possibly shoot them.
I have dogs as well so if somebody broke into my home it could eventually be necessary to gain control of them. If i had to pull them off of a subdued intruder i'd rather be able to flip the rifle around to my back than set it down but realistically a pistol would be much better suited for such a task. Before anybody tells me about how risky it would be to pull the dogs off i'm not going to wait for the police to arrive and possibly shoot them.
leadcounsel
member
Depends on your home defense plan. If it is hunkering down in a safe room with the longgun trained on the only entrance, then no sling is needed.
A sling can snag on something or interfer with your movements, reloads, etc.
If your plan involves moving, clearing, going to get family members, etc. then a single point sling, possibly. That would help you keep the shotgun from possibly being wrestled away and would allow you to transition from longgun to holstered handgun in the event of a malfunction or need to reload. Faster to simply drop the weapon and draw your sidearm - much like the military is trained.
I do not have slings on my home defense longguns.
A sling can snag on something or interfer with your movements, reloads, etc.
If your plan involves moving, clearing, going to get family members, etc. then a single point sling, possibly. That would help you keep the shotgun from possibly being wrestled away and would allow you to transition from longgun to holstered handgun in the event of a malfunction or need to reload. Faster to simply drop the weapon and draw your sidearm - much like the military is trained.
I do not have slings on my home defense longguns.
Hmmmm. I can think of a situation where I would need the sling to move little children. Its not that far fetched. Say your entire family is downstairs as is the Shotgun. Intruder comes in. You engage him. You are sure you hit him but he escapes to another room. Your kids, 4 and 1, are screaming. You would have to cross the robbers path to get out of the house. the safest place to get your kids is up the stairs to the loft ten feet away. One of a thousand scenarios.
That being said, they are pretty far out there and you would need some pretty unique circumstances. I wouldnt put a sling on it.
gamestalker
member
My HD shotgun has a sling on it. 18-1/2 barrel Charles Daily 870 clone, but I have other 870's with 26" & 28" barrels that I have slings on for hunting purposes. It's nicer for carrying.
GS
GS
45_auto
Member
My HD shotgun has a sling on it. I believe that that the capability to use both hands if necessary while retaining the gun more than outweighs the risks of snagging something with the sling.
I've been running scenarios in a shoothouse for a little over 8 years now at the sheriff's department, and have never had anyone snag a sling (required on department guns) on anything.
How will a handgun help you use both hands? Depending on what you sleep in, where are you going to stick it to free up both hands? Best case would be you're in your PJ's or drawers. You think the elastic in the waistband will hold your handgun while you're grabbing a kid and running? It would be even more interesting if you sleep in the nude.
Maybe your defense plan includes taking the time to strap on holster. In that case, the handgun plan would work.
I've been running scenarios in a shoothouse for a little over 8 years now at the sheriff's department, and have never had anyone snag a sling (required on department guns) on anything.
How will a handgun help you use both hands? Depending on what you sleep in, where are you going to stick it to free up both hands? Best case would be you're in your PJ's or drawers. You think the elastic in the waistband will hold your handgun while you're grabbing a kid and running? It would be even more interesting if you sleep in the nude.
Maybe your defense plan includes taking the time to strap on holster. In that case, the handgun plan would work.
lexjj
Member
A carry strap, GI sling, or 1907 sling will get in the way. A good, modern 2 point sling will be beneficial. I suggest the Ares Husky. The VCAS and VTAC are also highly regarded.
Ehtereon11B
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I had a simple one point sling on my HD shotgun when it was still being used as a bedside firearm. Small enough to get out of the way but still free up both hands quickly if the need ever arose.
Mine has a sling. Some of you say it'll get in the way, or get hung up on things, but I live in an average-sized 2-story house. Ain't much for a sling to get hung up on. Very short distances in my house, I'm not chasing bad guys through some warehouse like in some movie. Some people seem to worry about the most bizarre things and far-out scenarios, and plan for long gun battles in their own house.
MTMilitiaman
Member
I think a sling is an excellent idea on a long gun for home defense. The biggest reason given against the use of these firearms for this application is weapon retention. The concern being that the someone could grab the muzzle of your AR or scattergun and wrench it away from you before you know they are even there. With a sling keeping the firearm secured to your person, this is a non-issue. If the assailant if big enough you might get tossed around a little with your firearm, but you know the firearm will never be used against you or your family.
Also, at some point you might be more concerned with being able to use your hands for something else, like providing first aid and/or using a cell phone. A sling allows you to keep your defense safe and secure on your person while still being able to use your hands for other tasks.
Also, at some point you might be more concerned with being able to use your hands for something else, like providing first aid and/or using a cell phone. A sling allows you to keep your defense safe and secure on your person while still being able to use your hands for other tasks.
my AR has a sling. it is not a shooting sling. it is for carrying the gun when my hands are doing something else. it might help for weapon retention, but i don't believe weapon retention with a long gun is an issue at all (maybe with a 30" barrel shotgun, but not with an m4 style AR). I'm not the least bit worried about snagging the sling on door knobs etc.
YMMV
YMMV
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