Who uses a sling?

I always get a sling, because if I want to carry the gun around, then I can't exactly go to the local IHOP with an AK in my hand. I don't use it for shooting much, but I ought to try.

I always get a sling, because if I want to carry the gun around, then I can't exactly go to the local IHOP with an AK in my hand. I don't use it for shooting much, but I ought to try.

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Are you saying you routinely visit Ihop with an AK slung across your back?

I'm primarily a plinker and hunter, but have extensively practiced and shot offhand without support. I find a sling inhibiting in field situations and for informal offhand shooting, but use one occasionally it in a sitting position for longer shots.

I realize that I'm not the average hunter, but am lucky to be steadier than most folks and have a good offhand routine that helps me fire the rifle as the sights approach target center. Concentrating on the target or kill center instead of the crosshairs is a big help, but the ability to hold a fairly small orbit around the target center is both a gift and practiced ability.

A relaxed posture, with no more than adequate holding force, is essential to offhand accuracy, IMHO. Then, practice, practice, practice bringing the rifle up, getting a quick sight picture and the relatively quick squeeze as the crosshairs approach the "acceptable" center shot. Dry firing is great, with a snap cap to prevent damage.

Sorry if I didn't fully stay on-subject.

The only time a sling is in my weapon is if I`m riding my ATV.

I use slings sometimes for:

Training
some 3 gun matches require them
Service Rifle Matches
hunting

I plink and most 3 gun without a sling

Are you saying you routinely visit Ihop with an AK slung across your back?

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Back in Virginia, I used to Open Carry longarms with me all over the place since I couldn't get a handgun or get a CC license. I still can't do that. I don't think I have ever gone to Ihop with an AK, normally because I went with anti-gun family, but I certainly did go a couple of times with a Century 91, which is a G3 clone. The first time it was Halloween and I was all in camo, so everyone thought I had a nice costume. The other time was over the summer after I had been to the range an didn't feel like going home first. That time got a few odd looks, but nobody called the cops and nobody seemed to be alarmed or incensed.

There are two issues I noticed when it comes to using shooting slings for field use: (1) Most shooting slings are slow to get into; (2) there aren't any really good options for a shooting sling that works like a 2-point tactical carry sling, letting you hang the rifle out front in low ready, which I consider to be better than traditional over-the-shoulder carry for a lot of reasons.

So I designed my own quick-adjust 2-point tactical carry sling that also works as a marksman's sling. I used 1.25" nylon webbing and all parkerized steel hardware. The front strap of the sling is an arm loop that you pre-set to where it gives you good support in all positions. Once you set it, you leave it alone. The rear strap is where you adjust the overall length of the sling for carry, with the quick-adjust keeper that goes close to the stock. I designed it so that you set a "go-to" length on the rear strap for your normal "moving and shooting" setting, then you can cinch the sling up tighter for retention while carrying, and when you need to shoot you can quickly pop it out to the "go-to" setting and take care of business. The buckle that sets your "go-to" setting also keeps the trailing end of the adjusting strap from flapping all over the place when you have the sling cinched up. So as a carry sling, it does anything any other tactical 2-point does: front side low ready, over-the-back, and even backpack-style for splitting the rifle's weight on both shoulders for long hikes. It works great with all your close quarters moving-and-shooting techniques, or for taking snap shots in a hunting situation. Then if you need some extra support for a smaller or longer-ranged target and you have a few seconds to sling up, you just pop your arm through the forward loop and wrap your wrist. You can get slung up with this thing in under 3 seconds, and can get back out at least as fast. It's about as fast as a Ching to get in and out of... but of course a Ching is only designed for shoulder carry. And plus with mine you don't have to drill for that annoying middle swivel. I call it the "DR Sling" because 1) those are my initials, and 2) it is dual role: carry strap and marksmanship aid. It works best with side swivels if you're going to use it for tactical carry, but on bottom swivels you can adjust it a little shorter and it works fine for traditional over-the-shoulder or African-style carry. Anyway, it works great for me. I have given some thought to selling them. Here is a DR sling on my AK, with side mounts:


I consider the shooting sling a very effective "tool for my toolbox." It is not ideal for every situation, but there is no doubt that in skilled hands it is a very effective marksmanship aid. For anything but a dedicated long range precision rifle, I prefer a sling to a bipod. A sling is much lighter, less bulky, and less obtrusive, and it is more versatile. A bipod requires a relatively flat surface that is at the correct height under your position... not something you can always count on in the field. Same thing with a solid rest... you can't always find something suitable in the field, and it limits the positions you can use. By contrast, you can use a sling in just about any position... standing, kneeling, seated, prone -- and in prone, I am just about as stable in a good tight sling as I am off a bipod. One of the most common positions I use in the field is sling-supported kneeling. Kneeling is really quick to get into, offers a lot of stability over standing, keeps your hindquarters off the ground, and is usually high enough not to be obscured by foliage. The sling REALLY tightens it up. Also, you can use a sling in conjunction with solid support... a slung-up standing position while using a tree, building corner, or doorframe as support is rock solid.

Yeah,I voted sling all of the time.tom.

henschman said:

There are two issues I noticed when it comes to using shooting slings for field use: (1) Most shooting slings are slow to get into; (2) there aren't any really good options for a shooting sling that works like a 2-point tactical carry sling, letting you hang the rifle out front in low ready, which I consider to be better than traditional over-the-shoulder carry for a lot of reasons.

So I designed my own quick-adjust 2-point tactical carry sling that also works as a marksman's sling. [...]



[...]

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Now that's a cool idea!

Yep, it works great. I do something kind of similar with my leather 1907 slings (its actually what gave me the idea for the DR sling) -- you just leave the front keeper(s) up high so you have a really big arm loop; that way it is really quick to get into in the field. Just like this:



Just stick your arm through it and wrap your wrist. It isn't quite as stable without the keepers cinched down like you would if you were in a match; also I usually just stick my arm through without giving the sling the 1/4 twist like you normally would; but it works just fine for field purposes, and it is FAST. It basically works just like you would use a ching sling, with the big front loop. And if you have time you can always cinch the keeper down on your arm for even more stability. Then you set the rear strap so it's comfortable for shoulder carry and you're all set. That's the problem with using a regular adjustable strap as a hasty sling -- if it's tight enough to make a good hasty sling, it's usually too tight for comfortable shoulder carry.

... That's the problem with using a regular adjustable strap as a hasty sling -- if it's tight enough to make a good hasty sling, it's usually too tight for comfortable shoulder carry. ...

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OK, due to this comment, I finally Googled "hasty sling" to make sure that I was doing the same thing albeit without any training/instruction ... it has always seemed such a natural thing to do for me.

According to what I saw in the Mike Thompson video, what I have always done is a "hasty sling" ... although it only takes me 1-2 seconds to accomplish.

I have usually found that I can determine the proper sling length by either testing it via "hasty sling" or by how it feels slung on my shoulder ... but it is never too tight to ride my shoulder. When I wear a heavier coat I let out the sling some for both the shoulder carry and the "hasty sling" operation.

<shrug> Perhaps I like my sling to feel tighter during carry than you.

There are two issues I noticed when it comes to using shooting slings for field use: (1) Most shooting slings are slow to get into; (2) there aren't any really good options for a shooting sling that works like a 2-point tactical carry sling, letting you hang the rifle out front in low ready, which I consider to be better than traditional over-the-shoulder carry for a lot of reasons.

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If you move your rear swivel to the top right hand side of the buttstock, (about 1 o'clock), you'll find that you can sling the rifle muzzle down and at the ready with a conventional two point sling. All you have to remember to do is tuck your left elbow in when you bring it to your shoulder, (once your elbow clears the sling you can extend it again). It also still works as a hasty sling.

Yeah, that Mike Thompson video is exactly how I do a hasty sling. There is also what I have been taught to call a "hasty-hasty" sling, which is for when you have the sling adjusted a little too loose to do a good hasty... holding the rifle normally, you just swing the sling out around your support-side elbow and pull your elbow out to the side to take up any slack in it. It takes a little more muscle input than a hasty or loop sling, so it's not as steady, but it is better than a pure unsupported position for a quick offhand shot, and it is definitely the fastest way to sling up. It doesn't really work for anything but offhand, though.

I have never used a sling, but while I was shopping last week at Midway online I ordered two...double attachment. I have no idea of how to use them. I notice some text instruction from 'henschmans' post but it seems a little confusing and I don't know if it is suitable for the kind of slings I purchased. They're 1-1/4" leather.

Also, I seem to have missed the web link to the video instruction. Would someone mind re-posting it, please. Meanwhile, I'll wander around YouTube to see what I can find.

Thanks

FS

Here's the link, FS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib8OeQdwFEY