Who uses a sling?

Who uses a sling for shooting support?

  • I occasionally use a sling while practicing at the range.

    Votes: 48 23.1%

  • I use a sling in rifle competitions only.

    Votes: 14 6.7%

  • I use a sling to shoot while hunting.

    Votes: 45 21.6%

  • I use slings nearly all the time.

    Votes: 109 52.4%

  • I haven't used a sling in years.

    Votes: 5 2.4%

  • I've never used a sling for shooting support.

    Votes: 24 11.5%
  • Total voters
    208
  • Poll closed .
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I carry my gun with a sling while hunting.. I do not, nor do I understand how one would employ the use of sling while actually firing the gun? How would it help anything anyway?
Click to expand...

click clack, here is a little video I found on YouTube with a simple demonstration of using a rifle sling for support. The video is a little slow, but this man does a pretty good job of showing you the basic idea. If you search a little bit on the web, you can find some more in-depth explanations, but this will at least give you a basic idea.

He demonstrates it in a sitting position, in more of a competition environment. Bear in mind that the sling can also be used standing or while prone. He demonstrates a "proper" sling, but there is also a "hasty sling" technique that is slightly less stable, and doesn't involve putting your arm through the loop.

The purpose of the sling is to allow your non-trigger hand to become a much more stable place of rest. The sling helps by allowing you to use your upper arm and torso to support the rifle, as opposed to just your forearm/hand. Once you've figured it out and given it a try, you'll experience for yourself how much stability you really do gain.

I'm sure there are plenty of more experienced folks than myself on here that could give you a much better explanation of sling use than myself. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaRCFpH27-w
 
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If you Google "shooting slings" you'll find a bunch of videos.
Also some of using a standard sporting sling which it seems people are calling a "handy sling" now.
Using those with it adjusted right to fit me, I can lock a rifle in tight even standing.
 
Slings for all the rifles and holsters for the handguns. The only thing I run "Bare Nekkid" are the shotguns.
 
Slings for all the rifles and holsters for the handguns.
Click to expand...

Somehow I get the vibe that some folks may be misunderstanding this poll. Just to reiterate, I'm not asking if you *carry* your rifle with a sling - I'm asking if you use the sling for actual shooting support while firing.
 
I use slings for actual shooting whenever the opportunity presents. Wilderness Products makes some very good ones, and expect to pay over $50 for the quality. The Ching Sling (in synthetic) and Giles models suit my needs. If you need to transition to/from a sidearm and wish to retain your rifle/shotgun, you must have a means to do so. A well fitted proper sling makes this much easier.
 
BTW, my favorite is the Turner Biothane 1907 sling. I really like that material. The keepers are well sized and very resistant to slipping. The riveting on the ends is well done.

I have used SAI's leather sling and Brownells leather match sling, which isn't bad, but I still like the Turner Biothane quite a bit better.
 
I use 'em all the time too. When shooting from a bench, I don't, but otherwise I usually do. The Army doesn't teach slings because they don't bother to teach soldiers to shoot. They have a simple doctrine on how to use the rifle, but they don't actually teach shooting. I understand the Marines do.

However, the first time I used a shooting sling properly, I had used a hasty sling on my own before, was in the Army. When I first went through the SDM course before becoming an instructor, we had to shoot a modified NM course using issue M4 rifles with the irons first. Focusing on marksmanship fundamentals. The M4 has the KAC rail system on it, so we were given two KAC bipod adapters, one for the bipod (which was installed later along with the ACOG) and one for a sling mount on the side. Instead of real leather shooting slings which would be problematic on a combat rifle, we used slightly modified, older cotton (and sometimes nylon) Garand or M14 slings. They have a metal adj. clip and you could make the loop for your arm, tighten it up, or use a hasty. Worked really well, a lot like a real shooting sling but much better for actual fighting.

As SDM instructors, we actually taught to use the sling in combat to take very long shots --after all, 500-600m stretches an M4 a lot, you need all the help you can get.

To this day, I still use the same cheapo modified surplus slings for shooting slings. When I get into real organized competition this next year, and I build a rifle for long range matches with lots of rules, then I'll invest in one of the good ones.

What's the consensus among competition shooters, biothane or leather?
 
Most of my shooting of late has been CMP competitions or Vintage matches, or practicing for the same. So yes, all my shooting except offhand , is with a sling.

I had occasion a while back to compare a properly slung Garand with an unslung K31, prone position. I was impressed by the difference. The rifle without a sling always has a bit of unsteadiness. When slung up tight, the M1 is rock steady.
 
I normally shoot an AR whether hunting, target, or whatever and my choice of firearm gives me some fine choices in slings. Not just a sling for packing the gun or marching around with it slung over the back but single point, 2 point and even 3 point slings with dozens of options for mounting points and configurations. I carry mine in front on a 2 point GRSC sling with a QD swivel at the base of the rail. Almost my rifles, even a couple bolt guns wear the same sling. If I hand you my gun you WILL sling up whether you know how to use it or not just so I don't worry about the rifle being dropped. Unless I'm prone on a bipod I use the sling for stability period even on a lever gun. I would not own a pump gun for lack of a proper sling configuration.
 
Hmm, that looked like a pain in the butt.. and i dont see it being much use and im happy with my shots so...
 
Strykervet said:
I use 'em all the time too. When shooting from a bench, I don't, but otherwise I usually do. The Army doesn't teach slings because they don't bother to teach soldiers to shoot. They have a simple doctrine on how to use the rifle, but they don't actually teach shooting. I understand the Marines do.

However, the first time I used a shooting sling properly, I had used a hasty sling on my own before, was in the Army. When I first went through the SDM course before becoming an instructor, we had to shoot a modified NM course using issue M4 rifles with the irons first. Focusing on marksmanship fundamentals. The M4 has the KAC rail system on it, so we were given two KAC bipod adapters, one for the bipod (which was installed later along with the ACOG) and one for a sling mount on the side. Instead of real leather shooting slings which would be problematic on a combat rifle, we used slightly modified, older cotton (and sometimes nylon) Garand or M14 slings. They have a metal adj. clip and you could make the loop for your arm, tighten it up, or use a hasty. Worked really well, a lot like a real shooting sling but much better for actual fighting.

As SDM instructors, we actually taught to use the sling in combat to take very long shots --after all, 500-600m stretches an M4 a lot, you need all the help you can get.

To this day, I still use the same cheapo modified surplus slings for shooting slings. When I get into real organized competition this next year, and I build a rifle for long range matches with lots of rules, then I'll invest in one of the good ones.

What's the consensus among competition shooters, biothane or leather?
Click to expand...
Styker,

I prefer the Turner Biothane 1907s on my AR Service Rifle, as do a number of other shooters. I think it's about an even split between the biothane or a good leather model, though the M-1 web slings work great as well and are quicker to use. (For indoor winter league shooting I use an M-1 sling and it's what I started Highpower with.)

In terms of the nice cuff slings, I think they're mostly leather, but don't quote me on that. The couple of times I've gotten to use a cuff-type sling I was amazed at how much more comfortable they are than the M-1 sling. Which is probably why I like the 1907 sling so much now.
 
I practice with a hasty sling, but I really can't see any point in using a deliberate sling aside from competition. Sure, it does make you a little more stable, but my experience is that in the real world you don't have any time to spare when a shot presents itself and something is blocking your view when you go prone. A hasty sling is fast and effective. A deliberate sling may be effective, but fast it is not.
 
I carry my gun with a sling while hunting.. I do not, nor do I understand how one would employ the use of sling while actually firing the gun? How would it help anything anyway?
Click to expand...

You cannot imagine the stability, and thus accuracy, the use of a sling will add to your shooting.

Hmm, that looked like a pain in the butt.. and i dont see it being much use and im happy with my shots so...
Click to expand...

It looks like a pain in the butt because it is. But, using a sling when competing and using one when hunting are two entirely different matters.
Hunting slings need to have the ability to adjust quickly and easily. The best I've ever used is the QUICK-SET LATIGO SLING from Brownells. This style sling is also available at some of the large sporting goods store in a black nylon version.
Anyhow, using a sling when hunting is/should be something fast and simple. Here's a couple of videos showing the simple way to use a sling:
How to Use a Rifle Sling for Stability
Use the "Steady Sling" to Stabilize Your Shot

As a boy, my father taught me how to use a sling. Then as an adult, I began dabbling in High Power, so now using a sling when hunting is second nature. When I drop to sitting or prone to fire at game, my arm is though the sling and reay to go before the sights are on the animal. That's how fast it can be.

35W
 
Various types of speed slings give more steadiness than the hasty sling method without taking more time. For example, here is a demo of the Ching Safari Sling. Looping up is quick and easy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-oHZQ2smpA

I fault the hasty sling method--wrapping your arm into a basic carry strap type sling--because it does not hold your upper arm securely enough to allow you to fully relax the support arm. The idea with either the Ching sling or the old classic complicated 1907 sling is to make the leather do the work of holding up the rifle.
 
Hasty sling has some applications outside of the range. Enough to warrant training that way.

Deliberate sling, or loop sling, is very effective for helping stabilize the rifle. Unfortunately, it is not practical outside the range or competition. Takes too doggone long to acquire the position, and is not any more stable than using a rest.

Rested shooting (sitting, kneeling, standing, and prone) has numerous field applications. It is also quicker than using a sling. however, it is not so easy to use different types of rests at a range.

So, practice with a loop sling, but don't hold any fancy notions about popping targets at 500 meters with a loop-sling prone position if SHTF.
 
I'm sure 99% of use outside high power competition is 'hasty'. Still, I prefer to have the option of using it for more than just a carry strap.
 
I use a sling whenever the situation allows for it. Up close combat style shooting it becomes less critical but can still be an advantage. Stretch out distances and when more precision is needed especially in "improvised" shooting positions and it can be a downright game changer.
 
I use it when shooting offhand. And I have no problem using it in the field. It doesn't take that long to loop your arm through. I can't imagine shooting without one. I feel more comfortable shooting offhand with a sling then I do resting the fore end on whatever I can find. I have a bunch of old books on the history of firearms that were published in the 50s. Everyone of them shows how to properly use a sling.


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I checked "I use slings nearly all the time" If I'm not using bags for load work at the range, I'm usually using a sling. Also, for bonus points, I was in a hasty sling when I took my doe at 30-35 yds offhand this morning. 30-35 yds is no great feat, but the bullet did go right where I wanted... I'm a big believer in sling use.
 
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