Homemade shotgun QD Bandoleer sling

[longstandingletdown]

Recently posted about my personal perfection shotgun for $335 over in the shotgun forum, so here's the follow-up on the prototype sling I ended up with (and yes, that is a blanket I'm crocheting for my mother in the background):



I say prototype because there are still a few bugs to workout in the design, but the beauty of this concept is that I can use parachute clips to replace middle section, which can be purchased at walmart for $0.67 for two sets. Entire center section is one continuous length of cord looped and knotted in such a way as to require no cuts. Bandoleer segment holds 10 rounds, but I could have easily fit twenty (I just wasn't that dedicated to adding weight to my firearm.) It holds firm, but the rounds slide out readily when called upon:



End pieces are permanently attached to sling swivels, allowing me to remove middle section for home defense usage.

This modification brings total weapon capacity to 20 rounds, but I also took it a step further, being the fashionable male that I am, and created a 5 round wrist bandoleer (close up of parachute clip attachment, and the only tattoo I ever regretted (poopy artist)):



And all together now:



Overall, the sling is a little long, but since I was intent on making it one piece, shortening would require completely undoing the thing. It works quite well for chest or back carry, using the parachute clips for instant deployment. I have also been practicing America carry and Africa carry deployment drills, but cannot consistently deploy in under 2 sec, so I am unsatisfied with these results, and will probably stick to across the chest carry, which will also allow me to counterbalance my bug out bag in a bad day type situation (realistically, hurricane-with-no-assistance type situation.)

My next project will involve making a middle segment for the sling that integrates a small holster for a baby browning type pistol, and after that it's time to reblue and knot a shoulder holster for my 1903. I'm also considering putting together a trauma/survival kit for the two hollow grips on the shotgun.

 

[longstandingletdown]

report

After drilling with the sling for the last hour or so, no rounds have worked themselves out, and I've found the most efficient deployment to be strong arm, muzzle down. I support the foregrip on my weak hand, and the sling twists right off my shoulder, allowing a full draw in about 1 sec.

 

[Texan Scott]

I LOVE me some paracord, and anything to do with weaving or knotwork (and you would be unwise to tell a 200+ lb Celt that knitting is 'unmanly').

Personally, though (please don't take this as criticism) I never liked the extra weight of all that ammo on a sling... the inertial momentum on a swing pulls my aim off....

 

[rcmodel]

Nice work, but I agree its not a real practical way to carry shotgun ammo.

Unless you are planning on going to war, there is no reason to carry that much extra ammo in the first place.
And if you are going to war, a load bearing vest would be a better place to pack the extra ammo.

I tried the elastic bandoleer thing years ago for upland bird hunting.
Ended up losing more shells in the weed patches then I every shot at game.

Game vest pockets keep them where they are supposed to be all day and is far easier to carry then adding more pounds to the shotgun.

rc

 

[longstandingletdown]

RC, I totally agree, but this is a "why not" sort of project, honestly, I'm going to make a plain middle section for actual usage, this is more of a range toy setup. My fiancee's family has been here for the last two days, so I've had a bit of time on my hands.

Texan, when I had the rounds toward the barrel end of the sling it was killing me, at the stock end it isn't so bad, but I'm still probably going to take it off, ten immediate rounds seems enough for any practical situation. And as a 200+ lb mutt of slavic, celtic, and italian lineage, I mirror your sentiments.