Sling swivel fail

[Rainclouds]

A couple of days ago I was carrying my rifle slung over my shoulder on a new Butler Creek sling. New sling as the last one was button fastened and button slipped through leather softened by wear. This was therefore the second time my scope took a knock on the ocular in a couple of weeks. First time I blame myself for not keeping an eye on sling condition and relying on button fastening in the first place.

Don't think I can trust a sling swivel again. The retainer was properly screwed down and the spindle just departed from the join leaving a shiny silver signature on the black frame of the swivel frame where it was joined. The whack of the scope hitting my knee was nauseatingly sore as it cut a mark to the top of my knee. I was relived however the mark was on me and not the scope. Zero never shifted which is comforting. Luckily soft ground both times. I wouldn't consider my setup to be heavier than normal, about 4.5kg.

I found some more robust swivels and reemployed a less fancy but well crafted solid leather sling a friend brought back from Czech Republic, monogrammed to boot. I found myself happier to have a hand on the pistol grip even with the much more reliable setup.

Years ago, I had a stud screw depart the forend of a wood stock. At this rate its surprising I haven't done in a good scope yet. Question is, can you ever trust a sling attachment comfortably?

 

[tarponhead]

Redcoat on here told me about similar incidents and I’m taking his advice by adding a leather bootlace as a backup.

 

[Selous]

There is always the risk of anything failing. Saying that I haven’t had a quality QD swivel fail before. I now prefer Grovtec as a brand to Uncle Mikes

 

[Rainclouds]

Good tips guys, might take both on, belt and braces as I'll be paranoid otherwise. The bootlace idea is a great idea, worth putting on a second stud on the forend for that purpose.

 

[muddy42]

I like the ones that you can screw shut, some even can be screwed shut with a screwdriver. If its adjustable, tie it shut aswell. Cable ties maybe.

As a rule, I dont like anything on my rifle to be ‘Quick Detachable’ - just asking for trouble.

 

[jacre1993]

I had an uncle Mike’s break on me about 2 weeks ago - don’t trust them at all now , looking to change on all of my guns.

I can see that in the same place it snapped, on a different swivel on a different gun , there looks to be stress marks .
Indicating to me that this one may have been near to the same fate.

 

[Rory]

Grovtec have been really good for me. I have a heavy rifle setup and so far have had no issues.

 

[jacre1993]

Grovtec have been really good for me. I have a heavy rifle setup and so far have had no issues.

Can you send me a picture of these please?

 

[Rory]

Can you send me a picture of these please?

 

[gixer1]

Do you skip when you stalk?

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm. A couple of turns of amalgamating tape (also known as seizing tape?) works a treat. It won’t come undone and is totally waterproof.

 

[User00032]

'Zephyrjim' on here is selling some good canvas slings if anyone's wanting that type.

 

[jacre1993]

Do you skip when you stalk?

Don’t you?

 

[gixer1]

Don’t you?

Yes. But only with good quality sling swivels….

 

[JohnSmith]

I've had swivels break as well... it was on an R8 where the swivel stud was at the tip of the forend. I believe it put too much strain on the swivel when shouldered due to the angle. The weight of the rifle didn't help any. Snapped off while I was riding a snowmobile.

 

[tarponhead]

Do you skip when you stalk?

Only sometimes, whilst holding hands with the tea-fairy. Do you?

 

[jall55]

I had a swivel pull out of the forend of a winchester SX 3 - thank god it was not loaded at the time as it spun round and thumped into the floor

 

[gixer1]

Only sometimes, whilst holding hands with the tea-fairy. Do you?

See post #14….

 

[Dunwaters]

Good tips guys, might take both on, belt and braces as I'll be paranoid otherwise. The bootlace idea is a great idea, worth putting on a second stud on the forend for that purpose.

Dont bother with a second stud, use the bootlace to whip the sling loop around the swivel closed top and bottom, so you have both the button and the lace keeping it on. A bit of leather lace will weather nicely and won’t look out of place.