Sling primer
Ah, the sling. One of the most misunderstood pieces of weapons equipment. The real question relates to whether you're looking for a sling, or a carrying strap. Jeff Cooper was fond of making this distinction. And it's an important one. The question of leather or synthetic is largely asthetic. Pick a "look" you like, and go with it. I also like the wood/leather, synthetic/web division. But the real question is, what do you want to
do with this weapon?
A properly utilised sling will allow you to steady the rifle by applying tension to the forearm, thus dampening out the vibrations up by the muzzle. It won't get rid of it entirely, but it will make the movement much smaller. As such, it is a very useful aid in range work. There are two major types of slinging method:
1. The hasty sling:
Illustration, and how to apply:
http://http://jeffersonian.name/sling.html (The step by step instruction is the only part we're concered with at the moment)
This is used as a quick method of gaining stability. The rifle is held by the dominant hand, sling hanging below. The weak arm is thrust through the gap between the rifle and the sling from weak side to strong side, bringing the sling strap high up on the shooter's tricep (back of the arm). The weak arm is then brought back towards the weak side, underneath the sling, bringing this second part of the sling tight on the inboard side of your weak arm. Grasp the forearm with your weak hand. If it doesn't feel tight, un-sling, and tighten as necessary. As one of my Drill Instructors eloquently put it: "If you're f***ing comfortable, then you ain't f***ing doing it right!" Tightened correctly, you should be getting only the first hints of pins and needles in your fingers. If your hand turns purple as soon as you sling the weapon, loosen it. If you've got three extra feet of sling dangling around, tighten.
Now, again, this is a HASTY sling. It's not perfect, but it's fast. A good compromise, it's what most folks who actually use a sling for a sling utilise when carrying a rifle, at least as far as my experience dictates. Once it is properly adjusted, you may use the sling to carry the rifle as well, over the shoulder. From this position, it should take no longer than 5 seconds to take the rifle from the carry position, orient towards the target, sling up, and get into a firing position. If, by chance, we've got the opportunity to engage in slower paced, more accurately aimed fire, then we'll want to use the second typed of sling:
2. The loop, or "deliberate", sling:
Illustration:
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/shooting_tips/sling_0612/ (We're concerned with the first line drawing in this instance.)
This is a steadier, albiet more time consuming, type of sling employment. Notice that there is a loop around the shooter's weak side arm. He is literally attached to the rifle at this point. While this is good from a shooting standpoint, it can be...inconvenient...in regards to the other environmental aspects that usually accompany firing a round. That is, it's easier to get shot this way.
The first eccentricity of a loop sling is that you must have a sling capable of forming a loop. I know this sounds simplistic, but please take this example as way of expanation. I
could just tie a piece of seat belt to a weapon at the proper length and have it function as a passable hasty sling. It certainly wouldn't be pretty, but it would work. However, I could not make a loop sling out of it. Prime candidates for the loop sling are the US 1907 sling (perhaps the best the world has seen), and the USGI M14 sling, also known as the "green sling" for the green cotton canvas it is made from (Currently issued for the M16). I will cover these different models at a later juncture.
To utilise the loop sling, the rifle is taken from the carry position and cradled in the strong arm with the buttstock resting on the hip. The loop is formed, either, in the case of the US M1907 sling, by using the small loop at the back of the sling, or in the case of the USGI M14 sling, by taking the J-hook off the rear sling attachment and pulling out enough to make a loop about 6-8 inches in diameter, depending upon your flexibility. The sling is rotated a half turn to the weak side. The weak arm is thrust through the loop from the top to the bottom, or away from the body, dependent on the angle at which the shooter is holding the rifle. The loop is moved until it as high on the bicep as possible, then snugged down tightly. Your weak arm will protest this briefly, but will quickly numb. In similar fashion to a hasty sling, wrap the weak arm around the sling so the sling is on the inside of the weak arm. Again, in similar fashion to the hasty sling, tighten as necessary. Many shooters, after finding the optimum length for their shooting style, and often varying by formal shooting style, mark their slings so they can skip this last step and have it ready to go before they wrap up their arm. To un-sling, the steps are executed in reverse, with the additional step of trying to shake feeling back into the weak arm whilst swearing inserted wherever convenient.
A hybrid known as a "Ching Sling", popularized by Jeff Cooper, is similar to a hasty sling in its effect. I do not own one, nor have I used one with any regularity, so I will not presume to comment on its utility.
These slings are contrasted with simple carrying straps. A carrying strap is just what it sounds like. It's a strap or cord of various material that is attached to the rifle at some point (or multiple points), and is used merely to help carry the rifle, not to be used as a shooting aid. Most of the "tactical" slings are of this vein. These vary from a loop of 550 parachute cord on the rear sling attachment stuck on a carabiner on a flak jacket, to elaborate harness systems that use straps similar to a rucksack and a central attachment point to distribute the weight of a firearm more broadly so as to minimize shoulder fatigue. These "tactical" slings will hold the weapon in front of the body in various manifestations of the "alert" position, ready to fire at a moment's notice, as opposed to the carry positions on the shoulder. They can be quite convenient when in a gunfight or in the various situations that military personnel find themselves in. They may be kept in the front with positive control for a very alert stance. If the weapon is dropped, it remains in front of the shooter so that he may use his hands for various tasks while keeping the weapon readily accessible. If rotated to the rear, then it will be securely held while evacuating a casualty. About the only thing that slings are NO good for, is in the gunner's position in mounted operations. They get caught on everything, and the gunner never leaves the vehicle. Which would you rather have at your back? Another rifle, or a M240 with 400-600 rounds of ready 7.62mm? Other than that, keep the sling. As repeated constantly by the old sages, a rifle without a sling is like a handgun without a holster.
Here are some illustrations of the various sling types:
The classic: M1907
http://www.turnersling.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TS&Product_Code=NMSRS&Category_Code=NSRS
Also, a step by step illustration of how to wear the M1907:
http://www.turnersling.com/slinguse.htm
The USGI "green sling", suitable for use as a loop sling:
http://www.marstar.ca/gf-norinco/images/SLI-012-L.jpg
The USGI "silent sling", not intended for use as a loop sling:
http://www.tapco.com/proddesc.aspx?Id=2795de2c-9739-4bc3-9ae6-7108f290a12b
Now for the mall ninjas, the 3-point sling:
http://www.spectergear.com/sop_sling.htm (Notice the clip on the front of the sling, near the front sight tower. Flip this, and the sling will lengthen quickly, allowing for weak side firing)
Second, gratuitous USMC shot. Not me, but illustrates how the tactical sling keeps the weapon ready. The Lt. here doesn't have a hand on the weapon, but it's ready to go:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/01/mc.marinesurge070111/
The 1-point sling:
http://www.spectergear.com/mout_sling.htm (These are faster to use, and less complicated, but they aren't as secure when carried at the rear and bang around a lot on your leg when carrying a casualty or ammo cans.)
The harness design:
http://http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=70DC00BK (These are tricky to use with a flack jacket and take a long time to put on.)
Finally, plain old USMC ingenuity:
http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/alh (Marine's on the right side. Notice he's got TWO slings. He's got the rear sling attachment corded onto the carabiner on his shoulder, then he's got the other sling on the weapon for when he's back on the firm base and has to keep his weapon with him at all times. Trust me, it gets old.)
I hope this has been informative, and will help guide in your choice.
