A sling can help steady a rifle in every shooting position. And weighs only a few ounces. It is quick to deploy ( hasty sling) and serves double duty as a carrying device. A bipod works only in certain circumstances and is heavier. So if you can plan on drive up to mowed field shooting the bipod is great. If not use a sling.
Has the Bipod Made the Sling Obsolete?
- Thread starter elChupacabra!
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MTMilitiaman
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No. In a word, no, the bipod has not made the sling obsolete--not even close. Given a choice between the two, I still prefer the sling to the bipod.
Bipods are usually heavier, and worse yet, this weight is all out on the muzzle where it most adversely affects the balance of the weapon. I tried a Harris on my hunting rifle, but took it off after less than an hour of packing it around. It was super for prone shots, but there are serious limitations to bipods that are difficult to get around.
Bipods have limited adjustability. And most take time to properly adjust. This is fine if you have the time and don't have to contend with a lot of foliage or obstacles in the way, but more often than not, this will not be the case. With practice, it takes about 10 seconds to work into a pre-adjusted sling. It's really simple, actually. Put your arm through the hole, cinch it tight, wrap it around the hand, and your done. And you can feel it take immediate affect.
With a sling, you can carry it already adjusted and get slung up while falling into position. The sling works from a knee and from the sitting position. Most bipods do not, or are much slower to accommodate these positions.
My hunting rifle and my M1A both have shooting slings on them because they are lighter, easier, and more practical than bipods. Once you learn how to adjust and employ them, a shooting sling is invaluable. A bipod is a much more limited and role specific tool. It has its place, but is no where close to making the shooting sling obsolete.
Bipods are usually heavier, and worse yet, this weight is all out on the muzzle where it most adversely affects the balance of the weapon. I tried a Harris on my hunting rifle, but took it off after less than an hour of packing it around. It was super for prone shots, but there are serious limitations to bipods that are difficult to get around.
Bipods have limited adjustability. And most take time to properly adjust. This is fine if you have the time and don't have to contend with a lot of foliage or obstacles in the way, but more often than not, this will not be the case. With practice, it takes about 10 seconds to work into a pre-adjusted sling. It's really simple, actually. Put your arm through the hole, cinch it tight, wrap it around the hand, and your done. And you can feel it take immediate affect.
With a sling, you can carry it already adjusted and get slung up while falling into position. The sling works from a knee and from the sitting position. Most bipods do not, or are much slower to accommodate these positions.
My hunting rifle and my M1A both have shooting slings on them because they are lighter, easier, and more practical than bipods. Once you learn how to adjust and employ them, a shooting sling is invaluable. A bipod is a much more limited and role specific tool. It has its place, but is no where close to making the shooting sling obsolete.
It depends. Most battles aren't fought on rifle ranges or golf courses. There are many, many places where going prone will take the target completely out of your line of sight/line of fire. There will be a lot of shooting done offhand and from the various kneeling positions, both supported and unsupported. Soldiers and Marines will also use vehicles and other things around them as a rest.
The world looks very different at 6 inches then it does from 6 feet.
Jeff
Kentucky-roughrider
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No, a bipod can't hold were rifle if you need to use either or both hands.
elChupacabra!
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Roughrider,
That's why I specified a SHOOTING sling, rather than a carrying sling. Specifically, I'm asking about the two in the context of improving a prone shooting position.
That's why I specified a SHOOTING sling, rather than a carrying sling. Specifically, I'm asking about the two in the context of improving a prone shooting position.
W.E.G.
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Bipods have their place for a field rifle.
Most of the time, that place is somewhere in the bottom of your backpack.
Most of the time, that place is somewhere in the bottom of your backpack.
.38 Special
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For my money, Cooper had the right idea, combining the Ching sling with the lightweight folding bipod integral with the stock. I find both very useful, but I do find the typical aftermarket bipod to be very heavy and make the rifle unwieldy.
The Ching sling is so perfect that I do not understand why it has not taken over. It is extremely fast, nearly as stable as a full military sling, and of course works perfectly as a carry strap as well.
If I had to choose between a sling and a bipod, I would take the sling in every circumstance except for a very heavy rifle that will rarely be fired from anything but bench/prone.
The Ching sling is so perfect that I do not understand why it has not taken over. It is extremely fast, nearly as stable as a full military sling, and of course works perfectly as a carry strap as well.
If I had to choose between a sling and a bipod, I would take the sling in every circumstance except for a very heavy rifle that will rarely be fired from anything but bench/prone.
A sling is a great tool, easy to carry, light, and serves several purposes.
A bipod (other than holding a rifle for a photo) serves only one purpose, and can often be replaced with something else that you already have to carry, like a back pack.
Slings, and the knowledge on how to use the, along with the confidence to use them, will give you more options in the field than a bipod.
So, NO, is the answer to your question.
After learning how to shoot with a sling properly (at an Appleseed), I took the bipods off of my FAL. Why carry a single use item, if you don't have to?
Bipods are nearly a "range only" device, much like a bench. Not to say folks don't carry them and use them in the field, but you don't see it much.
A bipod (other than holding a rifle for a photo) serves only one purpose, and can often be replaced with something else that you already have to carry, like a back pack.
Slings, and the knowledge on how to use the, along with the confidence to use them, will give you more options in the field than a bipod.
So, NO, is the answer to your question.
After learning how to shoot with a sling properly (at an Appleseed), I took the bipods off of my FAL. Why carry a single use item, if you don't have to?
Bipods are nearly a "range only" device, much like a bench. Not to say folks don't carry them and use them in the field, but you don't see it much.
For Freedom
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Is (sling) porn allowed here?
I have a favorite type of sling. Can you guess which type?
I have a favorite type of sling. Can you guess which type?
MTMilitiaman
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LOL...sling porn...
Here's the Tanner on my M1A:
Here's the Tanner on my M1A:
elChupacabra!
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Now I've got to strongly disagree with the sentiment that bipods are rarely seen in the field (military use of the term, NOT hunting, I'm getting tired of having to repeat that over and over but it seems like people don't read it), whereas slings are ubiquitous... if you'll read up in the thread, I'm talking only about utility / fighting rifles, with the AR and M1A platforms mentioned specifically.
I know that many THR members have slings on their M1As, and some may even have them on their ARs... but how many real operators have shooting slings on their M16A4s and Mk14s? SAM-Rs, DMRs, SPRs? This is what I'm talking about. I'm talking about people who ACTUALLY SHOOT THEIR RIFLES AT OTHER PEOPLE FOR A LIVING.
Because I can't remember seeing ANY pictures from Afghanistan or Iraq of a Soldier / Marine / Operator all slung up, although I've seen hundreds of pictures of guys with accurized fighting rifles with BIPODS on them. The 2 or 3 pictures I HAVE seen of a shooting sling on a USMC fighting rifle (SAM-R), they aren't even using it.
So I think the claim that bipods are a "range only" item, whereas slings are in common use in the field, is, simply put, absurd, and totally backwards.
Again, I'm not talking about target shooting, competition, or hunting. I'm talking about going prone with a fighting rifle.
I know that many THR members have slings on their M1As, and some may even have them on their ARs... but how many real operators have shooting slings on their M16A4s and Mk14s? SAM-Rs, DMRs, SPRs? This is what I'm talking about. I'm talking about people who ACTUALLY SHOOT THEIR RIFLES AT OTHER PEOPLE FOR A LIVING.
Because I can't remember seeing ANY pictures from Afghanistan or Iraq of a Soldier / Marine / Operator all slung up, although I've seen hundreds of pictures of guys with accurized fighting rifles with BIPODS on them. The 2 or 3 pictures I HAVE seen of a shooting sling on a USMC fighting rifle (SAM-R), they aren't even using it.
So I think the claim that bipods are a "range only" item, whereas slings are in common use in the field, is, simply put, absurd, and totally backwards.
Again, I'm not talking about target shooting, competition, or hunting. I'm talking about going prone with a fighting rifle.
.38 Special
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If you'd told us up front how you wanted us to answer it might've made things easier for you. 
elChupacabra!
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Ha, touche
Well, in fairness, I have learned alot from this thread, and I think you may be right about the Ching Sling. That is one that does seem to be quite a bit more practical than the old leather military sling, and I can see how someone really might use it quickly and effectively in the field. I have to say I'm not sure why it hasn't taken off either... I think I might just look into one myself in fact.
.38 Special
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I like it. But then, I have almost no experience with the fighting rifles you mention and am unlikely to gain any -- and am certainly unlikely to ever actually fight with one. So my results may not apply to your situation.
tiger rag
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The sling serves two purposes weight is minimal Bipod only usefull in ideal situations . Use your backpack tree etc for steady hold when nesc.
HorseSoldier
Member
For combat use by the people who actually use weapons for a living, the sling is not considered particularly useful as a shooting aid any more, as I noted up-thread.
Jenrick
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A bi-pod as noted limits the terrain the weapon can be deployed in. For conventional military forces that don't care if they leave marks of their passing, you can always modified your terrain to be able to use one. For forces further forward of the FOB a sling and a piece of camp foam on your ruck rail are all you need. The foam on your ruck provides a supported prone shooting position. The sling provides a supported position in any other situation. Neither leave easily noticeable signs of having been there.
The old fashioned leather shooting sling is not very popular in the field either LE or Military. I think I've seen one (I'm LE). Cuff slings that simply snap on or off the sling, that completely eliminate the need to cinch down the sling, get it setup correctly, etc. are fairly popular from what I've seen. All the benefits, and none of the drawbacks (in terms of shooting).
-Jenrick
The old fashioned leather shooting sling is not very popular in the field either LE or Military. I think I've seen one (I'm LE). Cuff slings that simply snap on or off the sling, that completely eliminate the need to cinch down the sling, get it setup correctly, etc. are fairly popular from what I've seen. All the benefits, and none of the drawbacks (in terms of shooting).
-Jenrick
For Freedom
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The Mk 14 can't really take an M1907 sling.
Using a shooting sling with an M16 or M4 is not a good idea because it'll shift point of impact.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that slings are most effective on rifles with one piece stocks. When you use shooting sling on a rifle with the sling attached to either the barrel or a handguard, the tension on the sling will change your point of impact and the tighter you pull it the more your point of impact will change. This is even true with free floated handguards since the tension is simply transferred to the front of the receiver. For a rifle with a traditional stock however slings work great and sling tension affects POI very little.
Swampy
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YOu might want to check that opinion with the grads of the Army Sniper School at Benning first....
I've seen numerous photos out of the sandbox of DM's and snipers.... most of whom have 1907 leathers on their rifles. I don't think they are using them just for looks.
Just my 2 bits,
Swampy
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