Slings, slinging, slung!

[DJB266]

Hi all, looking for some thoughts on something I’ve been thinking about recently and bare with me on this one!

I’m sure I’m not alone here, but I’m fed up of the traditional sling and carrying over my shoulder! A standard sling never stays on my shoulder it always slips down so I end up having to hold the sling on the shoulder or support the rifle in the hand which kind of defeats the object, carrying muzzle up it falls back potentially muzzle sweeping anyone behind me and muzzle down with a long rifle tends to catch my boots/back of my legs or sticks in the dirt! I tried the z-aim sling with an additional strap that wraps around the body To hold it in place which was ok but I don’t like the additional piece dangling when undone or the feel of it attached around the grip when shooting. I though about wearing it across the back or even one of the Twin sling backpack system things but then it seems like a lot of work to get the rifle into a shooting position off the back and time consuming for when quick shots may be needed.

So then I thought, and here’s the main question for the thread, why do we wear them on the back? Surely front sling makes shouldering the rifle quicker and easier and gives better control of muzzle direction.

Military personnel often wear their rifle across the front of their body and I’ve been thinking this seems like a great idea! On the front of the body across to stop slipping and handy for quick raising of the rifle. I know they made a sling for the SA80 rifle with an additional clip allowing you to quickly point it down range without having to unsling the rifle and a quick google showed a few variants of similar sling systems.

So, what are your thoughts? Anybody sling across the front of the body? Any recommendations for slings to try?

Picture from google to demonstrate the idea.

cheers

 

[camodog]

My first thoughts on 'front mounting' as such would be interfering with binos/thermal and associated jangling thereof. But I do understand your point. I guess no single method is perfect and we all do what works best for us.

 

[DJB266]

My first thoughts on 'front mounting' as such would be interfering with binos/thermal and associated jangling thereof. But I do understand your point. I guess no single method is perfect and we all do what works best for us.

Yes I did think about interference with bingos etc, but I imagine it could be set up to work with it? As you say, we all do what works for us!

 

[Tim.243]

Hi all, looking for some thoughts on something I’ve been thinking about recently and bare with me on this one!

I’m sure I’m not alone here, but I’m fed up of the traditional sling and carrying over my shoulder! A standard sling never stays on my shoulder it always slips down so I end up having to hold the sling on the shoulder or support the rifle in the hand which kind of defeats the object, carrying muzzle up it falls back potentially muzzle sweeping anyone behind me and muzzle down with a long rifle tends to catch my boots/back of my legs or sticks in the dirt! I tried the z-aim sling with an additional strap that wraps around the body To hold it in place which was ok but I don’t like the additional piece dangling when undone or the feel of it attached around the grip when shooting. I though about wearing it across the back or even one of the Twin sling backpack system things but then it seems like a lot of work to get the rifle into a shooting position off the back and time consuming for when quick shots may be needed.

So then I thought, and here’s the main question for the thread, why do we wear them on the back? Surely front sling makes shouldering the rifle quicker and easier and gives better control of muzzle direction.

Military personnel often wear their rifle across the front of their body and I’ve been thinking this seems like a great idea! On the front of the body across to stop slipping and handy for quick raising of the rifle. I know they made a sling for the SA80 rifle with an additional clip allowing you to quickly point it down range without having to unsling the rifle and a quick google showed a few variants of similar sling systems.

So, what are your thoughts? Anybody sling across the front of the body? Any recommendations for slings to try?

Picture from google to demonstrate the idea.

cheers

Trip fwd and you land on the scope/n/v/thermal.

 

[Yorric]

Look at the Kifaru Gun Bearer - It may well be a good solution for you. Hands free, under arm carry, muzzle up in front, easy, quick and smooth rifle mount.
Can be fitted to a back pack or webbing rig.

Ian

 

[Klenchblaize]

Kiss goodbye to rifle sling shoulder slip and without resorting to looking like a Tacticool C-19 Lockdown Enforcer:

Of course you'll need to be of an age when Schools taught how to use a needle & thread.

K

 

[DJB266]

Trip fwd and you land on the scope/n/v/thermal.

Slip on your arse and you land on rifle, scope, no etc!

 

[DJB266]

Kiss goodbye to rifle sling shoulder slip and without resorting to looking like a Tacticool C-19 Lockdown Enforcer:
View attachment 166878
Of course you'll need to be of an age when Schools taught how to use a needle & thread.

K

Can you explain this a bit further? The scouts taught me with a needle and threat some years ago!

 

[Freeforester]

Made this one three hours ago, nothing fancy, fixed length, non slip rubber bonded over reinforced nylon, securely hand stitched to the swivels. Like Klenchblaize always advises, thick or wide slings aren't the smart choice, it's a balance between functionality (uppermost) comfort, and some simple aesthetic details, the latter pretty unobtrusive here.
Un-tacti-cool brown!

 

[Jim xyz]

I know like everything people have their own opinions and there has been plenty of chat about these on here for a while but I've used one for the last few years and have found it to be a great piece of kit.

Optimal Comfort and Functionality with Z-aim Pro Stalker Gun Sling!

Elevate your hunting experience with the Hunterszone Z-aim Pro Stalker Gun Sling! Setting a new standard in gun slings, it offers optimal comfort, functionality, and speed. Discover why the Pro Stalker is the preferred choice for thousands of satisfied hu

z-aim.com

Jim

 

[308rws]

Google ‘Safari Sling’, although you will need to purchase direct from the US manufacturer.

 

[n3al]

Have a look at this, it may be what you are looking fot

3HGR Driven | Gun rest and sling for demanding conditions | Treaper Oy

www.3hgr.fi

 

[tozzybum]

Google safari sling $25 from America but postage is also $25 ,go on you tube look up an Aussie called Edge of the outback he uses 1 foxing all the time .
Puts the rifle across your chest and swings up freely to take the shot.Or just sew a big button on your shoulder to stop your sling falling off atb

 

[Mr. Gain]

I use SA80 type slings on my rifles with side-mounted swivels as they can be cinched in tight, quickly released and permit a range of carry positions. With bottom-mounted swivels I use the 3HGR light harness sling, which is slightly less versatile but more comfortable and easier to take off (doff?). I used to use the Z-Aim Stalker, but find the 3HGR more secure and durable. The Safari sling is quick into the aim, but too sloppy/bouncy for my preference.

 

[Dunwaters]

Look at the Kifaru Gun Bearer - It may well be a good solution for you. Hands free, under arm carry, muzzle up in front, easy, quick and smooth rifle mount.
Can be fitted to a back pack or webbing rig.

Ian

A gun bearer would definitely solve the problem, hard to recruit nowadays.

 

[DJB266]

Have a look at this, it may be what you are looking fot

3HGR Driven | Gun rest and sling for demanding conditions | Treaper Oy

www.3hgr.fi

Thanks N3al that looks exactly what I’m looking for! Cheers!

 

[VSS]

View attachment 166880

Made this one three hours ago, nothing fancy, fixed length, non slip rubber bonded over reinforced nylon, securely hand stitched to the swivels. Like Klenchblaize always advises, thick or wide slings aren't the smart choice, it's a balance between functionality (uppermost) comfort, and some simple aesthetic details, the latter pretty unobtrusive here.
Un-tacti-cool brown!

Just out of curiosity, why not wide slings? I have both wide and narrow on a range of different rifles, and for a long day's walk I prefer the wider. Having said that, it might simply be because the non-slip properties of the wide slings I have are better. I might get along fine with a narrow sling if it had an appropriate backing.

 

[Tazz]

Understand the problem you are trying to fix. I have two Z Aims and have modified both of them, I changed the cord that goes round the pistol grip/thumbhole for a simple clip release using plastic side release buckle clips and 20mm webbing all off Amazon. Less obtrusive around the pistol grip plus you can easily unclip it from the rifle and put that bit in your pocket when you are going to shoot

 

[Freeforester]

Just out of curiosity, why not wide slings? I have both wide and narrow on a range of different rifles, and for a long day's walk I prefer the wider. Having said that, it might simply be because the non-slip properties of the wide slings I have are better. I might get along fine with a narrow sling if it had an appropriate backing.

Simple laws of physics: wide spreads the load a bit too much, if you don't want the rifle to move about when you walk.
Try a Citroen 2cv and a Ferrari in snow, the lemon will trounce the prancing pony, by virtue of the narrowness of the tyres - more grip.

Wide might be fine if grippy, but many seen on the market aren't grippy enough relative to their weight, then you have a comfy carried weight sliding all about you. Some of the deluxe niggeloh slings come to mind in this respect, they look lovely, but if you are actually carrying your rifle some distance on your shoulder, they are not what I'd go for.

Personally I tend toward lighter weight but sound kit, because of the terrain type and distances I go; if a 3-3,5kilo setup gets the job done, I don't personally feel the need to be carrying the extra weight. The profile up close on the sling I made is of a great surface area, micro checkering if you like, but dimples as shown below work pretty much every bit as well:


Because I'm carrying my roe sack, binoculars etc too, I prefer the 'multi purpose' shoulder area not to be unnecessarily encumbered by extra width I don't need. As ever, everyone has their own preferences; a 1" or so grippy sling that doesn't let the rifle move is mine, and if wide works well with you, then that's also fine.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

side flush cups allow for a multitude of mount options with normal sling
couple that with any of the designs above and you dont need to resort to strap on assemblies on the butt stock