School me on slings, please. What's the difference between one, two, and three point slings? I'm using the one that came with my WASR. Took some fiddling to get it on, but I actually found out I did it right. Works well enough, but I'm not a soldier.
Slings
- Thread starter strat81
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I'm no soldier either.. most people use 'sling' to mean 'carry strap' rather than an aid in precision shooting. Most 3 point etc 'slings' are now straps designed to keep a weapon at the ready(across the chest) while your hands are doing something else. The only 'one point' sling I can think of is the saddle ring style (civil war era) of carrying a rifle on horseback, though supposedly the Soviets tried a bungie cord.. again, for retension not for shooting.
FYI using a 'sling' for shooting on ak (if you use the factory sling loop on the gas vent) can move your point of impact significantly, but if you practice you can make it work.
FYI using a 'sling' for shooting on ak (if you use the factory sling loop on the gas vent) can move your point of impact significantly, but if you practice you can make it work.
RockyMtnTactical
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It really depends on your use of the weapon.
Single Point slings are particularly suited for people who intend to use the weapon and need it "at the ready". The very nature of the single point is that it allows the user great freedom in maneuvering and manipulating the weapon, while still giving the user weapon retention. Allows the user to shoot from either shoulder with the sling on (like when shooting from cover) and good for PSD, getting in and out of vehicles, dynamic entry, MOUT, etc...
The downside is that the single point will dangle from the user if he doesn't keep both hands on it, like if you transition to a sidearm, need to climb something, slapping cuffs on someone or if you are carrying wounded. You can still transition to a sidearm and all, but you will need to move the weapon down and away from your front and if you are running or climbing, etc... , the rifle can bang against the user. If you go to your knees without your hands on the weapon, the front end can smack the ground.
Some guys even complain that if they simply let go of the rifle it will hit them in the nuts... which of course is not a recommended way to handle a weapon with a single point sling.
2-Points are good all-purpose slings. Mostly just a carry strap. But it is a more secure method of keeping the weapon on you.
The problem with the standard 2-point is that once you set the length, it is stuck at that length and usually takes a minute or two to take off the sling and re-adjust the length.
With a 2-Point Quick Adjust, you can adjust the length of the sling in a second while you have the sling on, and can still carry it "at the ready". It combines the best attributes of a single point and the best attributes of a 2-point. A 2-Point Quick Adjust is really the best all-purpose sling.
The 3-Point has only 1 real advantage, and that is that when you transition to a sidearm, the weapon is held at a more natural position for you to do so.
It is a bit complicated though for many and makes the weapon almost too secure. So much so that shooting from a weak shoulder (Around cover, or if you get injured on your strong side) is impossible with the sling on.
Single Point slings are particularly suited for people who intend to use the weapon and need it "at the ready". The very nature of the single point is that it allows the user great freedom in maneuvering and manipulating the weapon, while still giving the user weapon retention. Allows the user to shoot from either shoulder with the sling on (like when shooting from cover) and good for PSD, getting in and out of vehicles, dynamic entry, MOUT, etc...
The downside is that the single point will dangle from the user if he doesn't keep both hands on it, like if you transition to a sidearm, need to climb something, slapping cuffs on someone or if you are carrying wounded. You can still transition to a sidearm and all, but you will need to move the weapon down and away from your front and if you are running or climbing, etc... , the rifle can bang against the user. If you go to your knees without your hands on the weapon, the front end can smack the ground.
Some guys even complain that if they simply let go of the rifle it will hit them in the nuts... which of course is not a recommended way to handle a weapon with a single point sling.
2-Points are good all-purpose slings. Mostly just a carry strap. But it is a more secure method of keeping the weapon on you.
The problem with the standard 2-point is that once you set the length, it is stuck at that length and usually takes a minute or two to take off the sling and re-adjust the length.
With a 2-Point Quick Adjust, you can adjust the length of the sling in a second while you have the sling on, and can still carry it "at the ready". It combines the best attributes of a single point and the best attributes of a 2-point. A 2-Point Quick Adjust is really the best all-purpose sling.
The 3-Point has only 1 real advantage, and that is that when you transition to a sidearm, the weapon is held at a more natural position for you to do so.
It is a bit complicated though for many and makes the weapon almost too secure. So much so that shooting from a weak shoulder (Around cover, or if you get injured on your strong side) is impossible with the sling on.
RockyMtnTactical
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Here are some pictures of a 2-Point Quick Adjust
Tightened
Loosens quickly
Here are some pictures of a single point
Easily shouldered from either side
You can transition to a sidearm but the sling hangs down from only attachment point.
Tightened
Loosens quickly
Here are some pictures of a single point
Easily shouldered from either side
You can transition to a sidearm but the sling hangs down from only attachment point.
blackhawk2000
member
Here is a tip to use with single points. When you let the rifle hang, turn the rifle so the opposite side is now on your body. By doing this, you "trap" it in the sling, and it becomes more secure.
boilingleadbath
Member
As a note, there is also something called the "ching sling", which serves as a combination carry stray / shooting aid.
I've found that it is slower to "draw" the rifle from a slung carry position than with a standard 2-point carry strap, but it's not a major issue.
I've found that it is slower to "draw" the rifle from a slung carry position than with a standard 2-point carry strap, but it's not a major issue.
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