Nimrod1960
Well-Known Member
Came across this when idly thinking about more comfortable options for slings.
Views ?
Front carry sling.
- Thread starter Nimrod1960
- Start date
Came across this when idly thinking about more comfortable options for slings.
Views ?
Siggy
Well-Known Member
I used this sling in the past back in the days when we were just transitioning from a single stick to two bean poles. Where we were there was a lot of snap shooting off trees or dropping into a kneeling position. One of our group developed a technique of using this sling then dropping into a kneel and deploying a low tripod which was hung on his roe sack strap. With practice he was very effective with it - the rifle and the tripod were deployed in just a few seconds. great for blatting muntjac crossing a ride.
It was comfortable way of carrying a rifle, but you needed to have both hands on the rifle (hence no sticks) most of the time as you have to actively maintain muzzle awareness because the muzzle is pointing a little lower than horizontal. - Not much of a problem if you are used to patrolling or rough shooting with a shotgun, but it definitely wouldn't get you through the DSC1 safety assessment! Using bins (we didn't have thermals!) was problematic because when as you took both hands off the rifle and started scanning, the rear stock would often pop out of the retaining straps unexpectedly causing the rifle to invert with a clash - never had an ND but the risk was there.
Tried it, it had some merits but in these days of quad sticks, these days it is sitting in my loft.
It was comfortable way of carrying a rifle, but you needed to have both hands on the rifle (hence no sticks) most of the time as you have to actively maintain muzzle awareness because the muzzle is pointing a little lower than horizontal. - Not much of a problem if you are used to patrolling or rough shooting with a shotgun, but it definitely wouldn't get you through the DSC1 safety assessment! Using bins (we didn't have thermals!) was problematic because when as you took both hands off the rifle and started scanning, the rear stock would often pop out of the retaining straps unexpectedly causing the rifle to invert with a clash - never had an ND but the risk was there.
Tried it, it had some merits but in these days of quad sticks, these days it is sitting in my loft.
What ever next...! Fall/trip fwd then the scope action is in you chin. Stupid.
jthyttin
Well-Known Member
And what happens when you trip and rifle is on your shoulder?
To the OP, good points include toolless installation in majority of rifles (if swivels are too narrow the plastic part won't get through). Also some carry options like the muzzle forward, single hand controlling rifle (going through bushes etc.) It's also simple.
But I wouldn't trust the system for fast shots (rear will get tangled sooner or later). And the whole system is bandaid, fixing the symptoms not the cause. You really want multiple swivel locations, including the weak and strong side of the rifle, for versatile carry options. Also quick adjustability to balance between having the rifle secure and being able to use it fast.
Putting the rifle on your chest has benefits, but it's a total chance in habits if you're currently used to have the chest for your binos, thermal, LRF etc. You also sacrifice some front jacket pockets, since you really don't want any bulky or noisy items there under the rifle.
For short rifles and swivels on the side, I like quick adjust two point sling (Magpul, Ferro, Vickers etc.) and muzzle down on the weak side. It leaves your right front pocket somewhat usable, and you can also carry binos (or some other bulkier item) on your left side. But it's a PITA with the slings/straps interacting with each other.
There are also more elaborate slings that try to tackle the front carry with traditional rifles. Like 3HGR (tree hugger, their first product a sling that you can attach to tree) from Finland, model "Driven" is meant for (surprise surprise) driven hunt.
What happens with my rifle on my shoulder it is only connected to me via friction being on my side, many years foxing (in the dark) there has been a number of times I have slipped on the wet Essex clay covered in leaves and so on.
With it not being over my neck then I was not " In the bite" which I learnt from a young age on boats with ropes not putting yourself in a position to get trapped by big horses cattle a classic was on a scaffold on site @Norfolk Horn
where a short board was left unsupported so you could go through.
I always shake the ladder of my high seats (only once found someone had fiddled with one)
Apart from safety lines I learnt not to be connected to anything I can't let go of.
Just my experiences.
So no I won't be using one...
lol
I'm a big fan of side mounted slings, using an SA80 sling I can have my rifle strapped diagonally across my front for very safe climbing into a highseat, once in release one clip and its free to use while still being attached to you so can't be dropped. Sad really when the best part of a weapons system is the means to carry it
I and thousands of hod carriers used to run up and down ladders (murder lift second floor) all day with 60lb of 12 bricks or muck....one handed! High seat 10-12ft rifle 12lb
Granted expensive but 1 up 1 down not 7.30am to finish 
Similar threads
