FAL front sling attachment

[shoobe01]

On this FAL I have the front sling point attached to a sort of slider made out of gutted 550 cord. The ideal way, as it was set up this morning, is not exactly like in the photo. Instead, its secured to the T-48 style point from Tapco on the right, and passes just rear of the gas adjustment port on the top.

Anyway, someone paying more attention than me will realize that the gas port is MUCH hotter than the barrel. After a brisk mag today, the 550 cord gave out. So, now I need better ideas. Two areas I need help with:
1) Can anyone tell me how to remove the threaded bushing in the left handguard of belgian-style FAL handguards? The guards appear to be symmetrical, so if I could insert the bushing in the other side, the T-48 sling swivel stud could be inserted backwards to hold the grips down, and then I'd just attach the sling more or less directly to that.

2) Any high-temperature materials I could use in place of the 550 cord? I have some leather for lacing cheekpieces, etc. Would that work, or just catch on fire or something.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Benjamin]

I don't mean to be a dope, but is there some reason the front sling swivel is unsuitable?

 

[shoobe01]

Oh, sorry, I didn't start there.

The gun slings up vastly better with the sling coming off the left side. Both the front and rear are now rigged up that way. Besides that, the barrel-swivel (the one I have at least) likes to spin around and get tangled with stuff a lot, like over the front sight.

So, I removed it and went with this. Which works well here, and on some other guns I have, except for this whole melting thing.

 

[kotengu]

I use something similar, but just made a new piece shaped like the head of your screw and drilled/tapped it to fit the handguard screw. With my handguards, I had enough screw hanging out I could jsut put this on as a "lock-nut" of sorts. I drilled it the right size to fit an Uncle Mike's QD sling swivel, and I'm set to go. No need for 550 cord -

 

[shoobe01]

Even this thing I've got is too long for the guards, so thread sticks out the left side. So, instead of cutting it off, good idea. I will get something to thread on that side that I can clip to.

Thanks all!

 

[Bwana John]

I wish that the TAPCO T-48 sling swivel stud had a larger hole, so that you can use a H&K style clip. I tried the GG&G QR front sling swivel and thought it was to ugly. I am going to try welding a sling swivel, or larger diameter eye on to the handguard retaining bolt.

FYI- The rifle really carrys much better with a Snider Machine tool "sling thingy" between the lower and buttstock.

 

[shoobe01]

I also have the sling thing (I have dozens of slings, attachments, etc. -- always looking for that perfect solution). Since I always sling muzzle down, it carries the gun too high and it twists away.

Nice piece of gear, though.

 

[Bwana John]

FYI- The rifle really carrys much better with a Snider Machine tool "sling thingy"

Since I always sling muzzle down, it carries the gun too high and it twists away.

Are you using a 3 point H&K style sling? The rifle can be slung totally vertically on right side, with muzzle pointing strait down, and pistol grip right next to right hand, or rifle can be slung in front with rifle pointed 45 degrees below the horizonal. The trick is a VERY long sling if you are big, the G3 sling fits smaller troops just fine, but us big boys need more length.

 

[shoobe01]

I have always (well, not always, but since I started seriously shooting) been taught to carry "african," or muzzle down, left side. So, that's what I am used to (fastest with, etc.) and am trying to get to here.

I like the various 3-point systems, but mostly for much shorter guns. The FAL, after /much/ experimentation, seems to work best with a simple carry strap.

I don't, btw, mind a short pigtail of 550 cord between a small steel loop in the gun, and the snap connector on the carry strap. So, if anyone has troubles like that, just try it. Much less annoying than I would have thought.