Sling for a beater 357 trappery thing?

[Arcli9ht]

So I've been looking at my lever 357 trapper for the past couple months and I can't figure out a "proper" way to attach a sling to it. (Despite the fact that "proper" has nothing to do with this fun-gun.)

Over the summer, on a camping trip, I tied off a long denim bag that I had made out of an old pant leg (insta-shorts) and some duct tape. With 2 boxes of ammo in the bag, and the gun on the other side, it hung on my shoulder pretty well. But it did fall off a couple times (like when I fell into the log jam we were crossing.)

I'd like to get a decent leather sling for it. Is there some commercially availible sling for a trapper sized lever gun with the ring on the reciever (which is the only sling attachment point that it comes with)? Or do I have to live up to my McGuyver nickname one more time and come up with a zany sling?

Oh, also, what would a good way of rust-resisting the piece so that I don't have to worry about every drop of water on it as I walk around. (Plenty of time to worry about it at camp.) A friend suggested rubbing beeswax onto all the metal bits, so maybe I'll get a ball of it to carry around for my next walk... unless thats a bad idea.

/Arcli9ht

"Why does it have to be zany?"

 

[AK103K]

I use a slightly modified K98 Mauser sling on my Trappers and my 94 30-30 with Uncle Mikes Sling swivels, stud on the back and the one that goes around the mag tube. Works great. I also parkerized my first Trapper and it held up great to the weather. A lot better than that pretty blue.

 

[P95Carry]

Assuming my mental pic is right .. you'll want a ''split ring'' fitting for up front .... a two part piece comprizing two half-round sections that wrap around the mag tube ... and when done up clamps it firmly in place ... this has or will take a std sling swivel.

Other end ... drill a pilot hole fwd of butt plate and screw in one of those swivel mounts with a course wood thread ... again attach swivel of choice.

Hoping here I am visualizing correctly.

 

[AK103K]

Thet do make a split ring and also a full ring. I've tried both and the full ring is definitely the way to go. Takes a little more work to get it on, but its worth it.

 

[AK103K]

Here's what my .45 Trapper looks like.

And heres the front mag ring swivel mount.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

If you want to use the saddle ring on the left side of the receiver, you need the 19th century style carbine sling. This is what was used to carry carbines during the Civil War and the Indian Wars. Here's a pic of a US Cavalry trooper during the Civil War with a Spencer Carbine, although it really should be slung so it's hanging on his right side. You can get this kind of sling from Dixie Gun Works.

 

[Arcli9ht]

Thanks for the info, got one of those ring swivel stud things in my shopping cart right now. No more improvising for me!... Well, maybe a little.

/Arcli9ht

 

[Secmat]

Took my Trapper on an 8 hour snowshoe outing last month. Before leaving, I had coated it with TW25B and wiped off the excess. It snowed heavily all day, and between perspiration and snow, it stayed wet. Upon returning to the cabin, I ate and passed out. The rifle had no rust in the a.m. Lucky, lazy me.

 

[tango3065]

Arcli9ht if dont mind me asking how do you like that trapper in 357 and how reliable is it.

 

[Secmat]

Mine has been very reliable with both .357 and .38 ammo. It really kicks the .357 up in power. We chronographed a few 158gr loads and they ran between 1675fps and 1800fps. They don't seem to do that well with 125gr loads as far as accuracy goes, but they get kicked up to about 2,000fps. I put a Williams peep on it and it makes a world of difference. Took a few squirrels with fmj .38s last fall.

 

[Arcli9ht]

Its actually not the trapper, I dont think. Its the Ranger 94AE. 16" barrel, small overall.

Its ok for reliability, sometimes it jams with the cartridge going the wrong way, but I'm not exactly always holding it level.
Hollowpoints tend to do this more than round ball.

Extractions are always silk.

Accuracy with 130 grain ball Winchester white box is horrible, 18"+ at 50 yards. (NOT my fault... i can hit the broad side of a barn... well, in low wind at least). It loves 357 hollowpoint tho, and is pretty accurate with it.


/Arcli9ht