The Sling: benefits and technique
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wiscoaster
Member
Thanks for posting the link. Aquiring and attaching period-correct slings to my milsurps that don't have one is my current ongoing project. So, good information and bookmarked.
ApacheCoTodd
member
Some say slings are useless.
Todd.
Todd.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Count me in the camp of 'Hi, I'm stupid and I don't get it'. <sigh> I've read all about them and looked at pictures and watched videos, and I still don't get it. I'm guessing that it's just something that you have to buy and dork around with for a while.
I tend to use simple 1 1/4" carry straps set up for use as a hasty sling, with horsewrap over any buckles or loose ends. I don't much like loop slings - I like to carry in the hand unless I'm trying to cover lots of ground and don't see the need for instant access to the rifle, and the extra loop flopping around always seems to catch on something.
Rbernie it’s about how to adjust it so that there’s no slip during 20 minute long strings of fire. The magic is getting it adjusted to fit while keeping the frogs and keepers together as shown so that the frogs don’t let the keepers slide up when your arm is pulling the straps 180* and trying to separate them.
granted it seems more at home in the days of trench warfare but you can get in and out of it faster than most would expect. When configured as shown you can stick your arm through the lower loop and tighten it by pulling one of the upper ones and loosen by pulling the other. And you can Slide the keepers off the frogs and pull top on one loop and bottom of the other to tighten to a parade / storage config and vice Versa to loosen. It’s slick when you see it done right.
I sold the one in the pic to bullfrogken many years ago or I’d try to take a video.
granted it seems more at home in the days of trench warfare but you can get in and out of it faster than most would expect. When configured as shown you can stick your arm through the lower loop and tighten it by pulling one of the upper ones and loosen by pulling the other. And you can Slide the keepers off the frogs and pull top on one loop and bottom of the other to tighten to a parade / storage config and vice Versa to loosen. It’s slick when you see it done right.
I sold the one in the pic to bullfrogken many years ago or I’d try to take a video.
AK103K
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I think a lot of people misunderstand slings in general, especially beyond a carry sling. From what Ive seen over decades too is, unless youve been taught to shoot with one from field positions, most people dont have a clue about shooting with one, and why youd want to.
The 1907's (a "proper" one anyway) are actually a pretty versatile sling and can be used in a couple of different ways, depending on what youre doing with the gun in the moment.
I use a loop similar to taliv's sling in his pic (I double up the keepers on the arm loop on mine) more for a "target" type sling. I use them as a hasty sling as well, which is more practical as a field sling for most uses.
The reason I like the Ching Slings on hunting (or similar) type rifles is, they give a faster sling up than a hasty sling, and they give near the same stability as the loop. Simple stupid and very effective.
The 1907's (a "proper" one anyway) are actually a pretty versatile sling and can be used in a couple of different ways, depending on what youre doing with the gun in the moment.
I use a loop similar to taliv's sling in his pic (I double up the keepers on the arm loop on mine) more for a "target" type sling. I use them as a hasty sling as well, which is more practical as a field sling for most uses.
The reason I like the Ching Slings on hunting (or similar) type rifles is, they give a faster sling up than a hasty sling, and they give near the same stability as the loop. Simple stupid and very effective.
EIB0879
Member
We had a Platoon Trainer (Captain) in IOBC who hated slings and told us to take them off of our M-16s. After our first FTX he changed his mind.
I use a simple nylon web sling. Depending on the color of the sling I put a couple of lines of brown or black silicone seal on the part that touches the shoulder when carried. This keeps the sling from slipping off while carried.
I have the sling adjusted so that it forms a "Hasty sling" when shooting. The Ching sling is also good and some of my rifles have one. From sitting or prone they're very nearly as stable as a bench rest when used properly.
Riflemen spend hours debating the merits of matching reloads to the rifle, juggling bullet seating depths and bedding techniques. Proper use of a sling will increase your practical field accuracy more than all of those put together.
I have the sling adjusted so that it forms a "Hasty sling" when shooting. The Ching sling is also good and some of my rifles have one. From sitting or prone they're very nearly as stable as a bench rest when used properly.
Riflemen spend hours debating the merits of matching reloads to the rifle, juggling bullet seating depths and bedding techniques. Proper use of a sling will increase your practical field accuracy more than all of those put together.
More specifically if you look at the pics in the link in the op you’ll see the guy laying prone looped up. See how the sling is far away from the top of his arm? I guarantee his experience will be like a pistol shooter that readjusts his grip every shot or two because of recoil. Even though that article says he’s looping up properly he’s not. And when the gun comes out of recoil his crosshairs won’t be on target.
If he was looped up properly the frog and keeper would be almost touching the top of his arm and the sling making almost 360 degree contact
If he was looped up properly the frog and keeper would be almost touching the top of his arm and the sling making almost 360 degree contact
this video shows how to put it on the gun, and demonstrates how to tighten and loosen quickly.
look at the difference between the sling config by the dude in the link in the OP, and the US AMU guys in the next two pics
I'm pretty sure the frog in this pic is behind the guy's wrist. the keeper is floating out in the middle. if you slid it back to his arm, it would make the sling shorter, changing the elevation of the sights. since nothing is supporting it, it will slide on its own (forward, because the dudes arm is pushing the straps apart). if you compare that to the next two pics, the keeper can't slide because the frog is holding it on one side and it's up against the arm on the other. that's the difference.
where's that keeper going?
the first 1907 pic from the op looks good i think. the sling shown is kinda the thinner turner saddle type. but you can see how the keeper on the right is slightly larger than the one on the left. that's so you can tuck the tail into it and slide the keeper down against the right frog. as shown in the pic, the tail of the large loop is at the very bottom of the pic, between the two other straps. when you sling up, you take that and stick it inside the keeper so there are three straps of leather going through the right keeper. you can see it in my original pic at top of this page. note difference in thickness of straps too. I mean, you don't HAVE to do that. It looks like Green is letting that just flop around outside his arm above. can't argue with his results, but he's triggering my OCD a little haha
look at the difference between the sling config by the dude in the link in the OP, and the US AMU guys in the next two pics
I'm pretty sure the frog in this pic is behind the guy's wrist. the keeper is floating out in the middle. if you slid it back to his arm, it would make the sling shorter, changing the elevation of the sights. since nothing is supporting it, it will slide on its own (forward, because the dudes arm is pushing the straps apart). if you compare that to the next two pics, the keeper can't slide because the frog is holding it on one side and it's up against the arm on the other. that's the difference.
where's that keeper going?
the first 1907 pic from the op looks good i think. the sling shown is kinda the thinner turner saddle type. but you can see how the keeper on the right is slightly larger than the one on the left. that's so you can tuck the tail into it and slide the keeper down against the right frog. as shown in the pic, the tail of the large loop is at the very bottom of the pic, between the two other straps. when you sling up, you take that and stick it inside the keeper so there are three straps of leather going through the right keeper. you can see it in my original pic at top of this page. note difference in thickness of straps too. I mean, you don't HAVE to do that. It looks like Green is letting that just flop around outside his arm above. can't argue with his results, but he's triggering my OCD a little haha
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PhatForrest
Member
If you're a fan of the gi web sling, take a look at the Magpul RLS.
At a buck or two more than a gi sling, they're worth it.
At a buck or two more than a gi sling, they're worth it.
Garandimal
member
I agree. I use a tripod for support and basically just need a carry strap now if I’m negotiating hazardous terrain. Otherwise I just carry in hand.
http://garandthumb.com/use-1907-sling/
does it right (except he put his keepers on backwards when installing the sling. note the large keeper should be on the right in the pic, so the dangly end of the large loop could pass through it. )
and so does
https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/how-to-use-a-m1907-shooting-sling/377293
and FM 23-5, October 1951
but...
https://artoftherifle.com/the-1907-sling-part-1/2012/01/the-1907-sling-part-1.html
not so much...
nor
https://www.everydaymarksman.co/equipment/shooting-sling/
does it right (except he put his keepers on backwards when installing the sling. note the large keeper should be on the right in the pic, so the dangly end of the large loop could pass through it. )
and so does
https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/how-to-use-a-m1907-shooting-sling/377293
and FM 23-5, October 1951
but...
https://artoftherifle.com/the-1907-sling-part-1/2012/01/the-1907-sling-part-1.html
not so much...
nor
https://www.everydaymarksman.co/equipment/shooting-sling/
AK103K
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The way we were taught was to put both keepers on the loop. That, after you strip the threads out of them, move the stitch holes over one or two tighter, so the opening on the keeper is smaller, and then restitch with dental floss. That way, the keepers are tight, very snug on the sling, and one locks the other in place, like a lock nut on a threaded rod, and they wont move once you pull them tight.
The back end of the sling is still through the rear sling swivel and hooked on the closest set of holes near it, so theres plenty of slack there and no tension no the gun.
The back end of the sling is still through the rear sling swivel and hooked on the closest set of holes near it, so theres plenty of slack there and no tension no the gun.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Now that seems to make some sense.
From a time when people knew how to use lines and ropes instead of ratchet straps and velcro.
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I understand the principle behind the 1907 sling, but prefer to take the "less is more" approach. The Montana sling is the best I've used. Simple and effective as a carry strap and if used properly is also a shooting aid. Classic good looks made with quality leather in a design that is less likely to slip off the shoulder than most others. Not cheap, but well worth the price for the quality.
Montana Gun Slings | Hunter Rifle Custom Slings
Montana Gun Slings | Hunter Rifle Custom Slings
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
One of the things I like about the VTAC and other tactical type two point slings. They can quickly be cinched down for a steadier hold and let back out for carrying. Not as steady as a properly deployed 1907 but greater utility and ease of use.
SwampWolf
Member
I have a confession: When hunting, I only use a sling to carry my rifles (and shotguns when appropriate) over my shoulder to keep my hands free. I don't use one to shoot more accurately (even using the so-called "hasty" sling method), maybe because of the kind of hunting I do mostly-whitetails and such in heavy cover. I use a sling when competing during service rifle matches when I have the time to "harness up" to chase x-rings but I like my slings for hunting to detach quickly and to be as light and minimal as practical-which also means I'm no fan of "cobra" style carry straps.
There, I've got that off my chest.
There, I've got that off my chest.
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BigSteve57
Member
I shoot with a sling monthly in service rifle competition. I can shoot a tighter groups prone with a sling than I can with the rifle sitting on sandbags front and rear.
I carry a 1907 sling off the rifle while hunting. No noise or brush entanglement; forces gun to hand so I'm more "ready" (as my grandfather would say) instead of gawking off with the gun slung on my shoulder. But I do attach the sling when on stand and of course, while dragging a buck. I do practice using the sling as a shooting aid, but have never shot big game slung. Squirrels, yes.
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Ching sling or a Murray leather quick set (latigo sling) are the only two I use anymore.
https://www.murraycustomleather.com/slings.htm
https://www.murraycustomleather.com/slings.htm
i used the TIS quick cuff for a while, which is like a 1907 sling, but the loop around your arm disconnects via a buckle and you sew it onto the arm of your jacket or coat. so it's like a carry strap on the rifle, and you just snap into the buckle when you want to use it as a shooting sling. only real downside is you need multiple cuffs if you have multiple coats.
then i switched to armageddon gear sling. it's better for carrying, but not as good as a support. i mostly use tripod and game changer bag for support now. can't remember the last time i slung up
then i switched to armageddon gear sling. it's better for carrying, but not as good as a support. i mostly use tripod and game changer bag for support now. can't remember the last time i slung up
35 Whelen
Member
Growing up, my Dad always used what he referred to as a Latigo Sling, presumably because that's what Brownell's called theirs. I remember him showing me how quickly and easily they adjusted.
^^^THIS^^^
Until I participated in High Power competition, I really had no idea how effective a sling could be in steadying a rifle. Then I competed against guys shooting 1 1/2" groups with open sighted rifles fired from a prone position. Amazing.
My main elk rifle carries a lightweight nylon version of the Latigo Sling. It is pre-adjusted for use in prone shooting, but works quite well in the sitting position too, and lastly is fine for carrying the rifle on the shoulder. On two separate occasions while hunting, I made use of the sling. One of the occasions was a fairly long shot I don't think would've been possible without the sling.
35W
^^^THIS^^^
Until I participated in High Power competition, I really had no idea how effective a sling could be in steadying a rifle. Then I competed against guys shooting 1 1/2" groups with open sighted rifles fired from a prone position. Amazing.
My main elk rifle carries a lightweight nylon version of the Latigo Sling. It is pre-adjusted for use in prone shooting, but works quite well in the sitting position too, and lastly is fine for carrying the rifle on the shoulder. On two separate occasions while hunting, I made use of the sling. One of the occasions was a fairly long shot I don't think would've been possible without the sling.
35W
Risky buisness
Member
For many years now I have used nothing more than the GI web sling, I prefer the ' cotton ' over the nylon versions as they dont tend to slip, the 1907 leather when applied correctly is a great alternative and i have at least 2 on some way old military match rifles i still use. The larger point here I believe, is that scores will improve, and lethality is more certain when utilizing an aid....sling. If you desire to use bipods tripods or nothing at all is certainly your deal, but from the thousands of students I interacted with during my time as a Senior instructor with not only Appleseed, but 4H shooting sports i can attest to my claim.
I believe that exposure, or lack of, and relying on benches, bags and such other items has engineered a decline in the use of slings as their are other, abettedy heavier/ bulky things that are trendy and of some use for those who dont care for or are uninitiated with the simple sling.
I'm not trying to criticize or critiquing anyone for their personal views here. I dont use benches, bags or bipods. I prefer sling supported shooting positions and have for a long time. But that's me.
I believe that exposure, or lack of, and relying on benches, bags and such other items has engineered a decline in the use of slings as their are other, abettedy heavier/ bulky things that are trendy and of some use for those who dont care for or are uninitiated with the simple sling.
I'm not trying to criticize or critiquing anyone for their personal views here. I dont use benches, bags or bipods. I prefer sling supported shooting positions and have for a long time. But that's me.
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