M16 Sling

[Panzerschwein]

Hi yall. I am about to get a Mossberg M590A1 military shotgun, and need a sling to go with it.

I remember in basic training we had M16A2s and they had what felt like cotton web slings in a dark grey or black color. They were not nylon.

I am wondering if anyone knows were to find one of these USGI slings? I do not want any tacticool crap. I distinctly remember these being very simple two point slings.

Thanks

 

[1911 guy]

http://www.fredsm14stocks.com/US-GI-Nylon-Slings-Fresh-from-storage-BACK-IN-STOCK-SL0003.htm

http://www.brownells.com/shooting-a...ings/m1-m14-m1a-gi-style-sling-prod42539.aspx

Any surplus sling or copy made since about 1960 will fit the 1 1/4" sling swivels on the AR.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks but I am looking for the dark grey/black cotton web sling style, and no remakes. USGI only please.

 

[dogmush]

Like this?

http://www.ellicottdepot.com/compon...AR15-Silent-Sling/p/12299397/category=2906062

 

[chicharrones]

Surplus only, no new manufacturer cotton web slings in black?

Beats me. All I see out there are new manufactured USGI slings.

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

You typically find the cotton canvas type labeled as M1 slings.

They reproduce the original canvas slings and they look pretty nice. This is what most of the retro black rifle guys are using as well as the OD cotton canvas slings.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vietnam-US-...887646?hash=item1c33e7679e:g:zsQAAOxyY3ZRwhad

The original black cotton slings seem to be harder to come by than the original OD cotton slings. Typically when I've seen them they are at gun shows or military vehicles shows, in used condition. You might consider getting a reproduction unless you enjoy looking around.

Here are some supposed used originals on Gunbroker. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=534208919

You can find others on ebay or gunbroker using more generic terms like "black cotton sling" or "black M1 sling."

 

[saitek]

sling

looks like this guy has new condition black web m16 slings in stock pretty reasonable .
http://shop.ernstarmory.com/product.sc?productId=76

 

[joem1945]

I bought a couple some 15 years ago for my AR's. Haven't looked for any lately.

 

[GRIZ22]

Don't be so picky. I've bought repro M1 and M16 slings that have all the quality and half the price of an "original GI".

 

[Panzerschwein]

Don't be so picky. I've bought repro M1 and M16 slings that have all the quality and half the price of an "original GI".

I will be picky Grizz. It's what I want.

 

[GRIZ22]

Cool dill I think you missed my point. The repro slings I've bought are no different in appeatance, quality and durability.

Buy whatever floats your boat.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Cool dill I think you missed my point. The repro slings I've bought are no different in appeatance, quality and durability.

Buy whatever floats your boat.

I've bought many repro items as well, and they all were never as good as the real deal USGI article.

But thank you for your help, it is appreciated.

 

[rcmodel]

I remember in basic training we had M16A2s and they had what felt like cotton web slings in a dark grey or black color. They were not nylon.

You might be mistaken.

I have a black M16 sling from the Army in 1969.
And another black one that came on my 1971 Colt SP-1 Carbine.

Both are black, both are soft & non-reflective, and both appear to be cotton from feel & looking at them.

Except the cut ends are melted to keep them from fraying out.

So, most definitely those two Vietnam era M16 slings are some type of Nylon or Dacron.

Just not the shiny stiff nylon webbing & strap you see today.

rc

 

[Panzerschwein]

You might be mistaken.

I have a black M16 sling from the Army in 1969.
And another black one that came on my 1971 Colt SP-1 Carbine.

Both are black, both are soft & non-reflective, and both appear to be cotton from feel & looking at them.

Except the cut ends are melted to keep them from fraying out.

So, most definitely those two Vietnam era M16 slings are some type of Nylon or Dacron.

Just not the shiny stiff nylon webbing & strap you see today.

rc

Oh well perhaps. I do remember it being most like cotton and not like the cheap feeling nylon garbage you get on like backpack straps today. It was soft, not slippery and shiny.

 

[entropy]

Those were synthetic of some sort, not sure what exact material. I had them on all the M16A1's in my Arms Room, except mine. Mine had an M60 sling.

 

[Orlando]

5th down from the top of page, its the real deal
http://www.rcarms.com/18.html

 

[dogmush]

Oh well perhaps. I do remember it being most like cotton and not like the cheap feeling nylon garbage you get on like backpack straps today. It was soft, not slippery and shiny.

That would be the one I linked to in Post 4.

1005-01-216-4510; Sling, Small Arms.

53.5" of black nylon 1.125 webbing. (Technically between 53.25"and 53.75") and two fasteners.

The M4 sling is 1005-01-368-9852. Same thing, just shorter.

 

[Hummer70]

When I worked for the Army Small Cal Lab at Picatinny Arsenal I had engineering responsibility for M1, M14 and 1903A4s and their accessories.

I got a request in from the Marine Corps to allow new slings to be procured with the "rough weave" nylon (as comes standard on the M16 slings pictured above) as the M14 original slings were green slick nylon and would not stay in place shooting prone and keep slipping off shoulder while being carried at sling arms.

I understood completely what their problem was and the "rough weave" type black nylon was authorized on the drawing to be procured so fabricated.

The Marines then took the M16 two slider slings and removed the hardware and retrofitted all their green slings by removing the green nylon, looping over one of the sliders and sewing it in place. Then the hook and keeper replaced. The metal tongue is not needed as the black nylon material is fused on the end to prevent unraveling.

I did the same with my old rotten cotton slings and the green nylon slings I had back in the 70s and been using them ever since. In fact the sling I carry my shooting stool with is one so if I ever have one break in a match I have a spare. It has been removed and shot in one match since 79 when another shooter's sling broke and I took it off and loaned it to him to finish the match.

I found the green slick nylon is only good to hold up trousers. I have reworked many of them and replaced the worn cotton with rough weave nylon and no failures.

 

[col.lemat]

My first M16 sling was green dated 1952. Took it off of the M14's that we turned in in 1968 Used the M14 magazine boxes with the M16 magazines inside. Stuffed Tee shirt rags or toilet paper in with the mags to keep them from rattling around. Never wore Tee shirts in country. Some guys put their pack of smokes in there. We had to use tape or wrap the buckles with strips of cloth to keep them from making noise. We were not allowed to remove the lower sling snap noise maker.
I still have the 7.62 web gear and sling using it on my Colt SP1

 

[mokin]

This thread has sparked a more interesting discussion than I would have imagined. It has inspired me to go find the old green sling I've been kicking around for the last 20 years or so and see how it works on my M-4gery.

Thanks!

 

[Caliper_Mi]

The CMP sells USGI slings, but I've only seen OD green, never black.

Modern repro USGI web slings are easily of the same quality however. Right out of the box the new webbing is a bit stiff (as I suspect the USGI stuff was when new a half century ago!) but it softens up with a bit of use.