To Sling Or Not To Sling

[salvo]

My HD shoty is a Mossberg 590A1 I have not felt any reason to put a sling on it.
I noticed with alot of the pictures posted here that many of you use slings, what are your reasons for using/not using a sling.

[glockmeister71]

I'm like you.The main reason I have mine is for HD and I just don't see the need for one.My range is my front yard,so I can pick it up and carry it the whole 20 yards to shoot.

[ghstface38]

I've got a 3 point Blackhawk sling on my HD 870. I just like the fact I can drop it while I'm using it, but still be able to revert back to it if i need to.

In the worst case scenario it'd be better to have it slung than to have to carry it, if you had to walk long distance.

[El Duderino]

All my long guns get slings just like every pistol I own has a holster, and for the same reason.

[Mighty HD]

Originally posted by ghstface38
I've got a 3 point Blackhawk sling on my HD 870. I just like the fact I can drop it while I'm using it, but still be able to revert back to it if i need to.

In the worst case scenario it'd be better to have it slung than to have to carry it, if you had to walk long distance.

+2

If the SHTF the glocks will be on me, and the 870 on the sling.

[salvo]

Ya, if I was going to be hoofing it a sling would be nice. For HD it seems like it would be in the way.
I think if SHTF and I'm bugging out the Bushmaster would be slung on my back.

[ghstface38]

Originally posted by salvo
Ya, if I was going to be hoofing it a sling would be nice. For HD it seems like it would be in the way.
I think if SHTF and I'm bugging out the Bushmaster would be slung on my back.


and the scattergun could be slung on your front!

Mine is for home defense, but the sling doesn't get in the way, and it was only around $40, so what's the difference really?

"The only time you need a sling is when you need a sling, and when that time comes, it's all you need!"

[Forensik]

Originally posted by El Duderino
All my long guns get slings just like every pistol I own has a holster, and for the same reason.

Same here. I didn't have my latest rifle 3 days and I put a sling on it.

With my HD shotty, I have the sling pulled tight along the underside, it leaves enuff room for my hands to hold the gun properly. I then tie up the slack on the straps and thus the sling is not in the way and I dont have 2 feet of strapping hangin off the ass end.

[Mighty HD]

how about some pics of those slings?

[Forensik]

http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/3608/dcp00402eb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/2561/dcp00411xf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ghstface38]

http://x10.putfile.com/3/6922274246.jpg

Blackhawk 3-point Tactical sling on the 870

Specter Single point sling on the AR

[Grim Jackal]

If it's for HD, I see no reason to have a sling on a weapon as it only can get in the way and snag on something at the wrong time. As far as walking far with out a sling, I've walked over twenty miles with full combat load and we were patrolling which ment weapons unslung, so I don't really think carrying a weapon is a big issue. Now, there are times and places for a slings, I just can't see much use for the HD aspect. But hey, everyones different.

[MrMurphy]

It only gets snagged if you're not used to it. A 3pt sling will not snag unless you let it. I spend 12 hours a day walking in/out of doors/building, manuevering through rooms, and jumping into/out of Chevy trucks and Humvees with a M4 slung across my front with very few problems. Not having anywhere to put your shotgun without a sling CAN be a problem. All my combat shotguns had slings.


Forensik, the shells on your sling, if you swing suddenly to acquire a new target (or a target, period) will throw some added momentum and tug the gun off target. You might want to remove the shells from the sling and leave them on the SideSaddle.

[Forensik]

Originally posted by MrMurphy
It only gets snagged if you're not used to it. A 3pt sling will not snag unless you let it. I spend 12 hours a day walking in/out of doors/building, manuevering through rooms, and jumping into/out of Chevy trucks and Humvees with a M4 slung across my front with very few problems. Not having anywhere to put your shotgun without a sling CAN be a problem. All my combat shotguns had slings.


Forensik, the shells on your sling, if you swing suddenly to acquire a new target (or a target, period) will throw some added momentum and tug the gun off target. You might want to remove the shells from the sling and leave them on the SideSaddle.

Thanks, Ill do that. I think the side saddle and the butt sleve have enuff anyway.

[liliysdad]

A long gun without a sling is only half a weapon. There are time that you will need your hands, and thats kinda hard to do if they are full of 870.

[Grim Jackal]

"It only gets snagged if you're not used to it. A 3pt sling will not snag unless you let it. I spend 12 hours a day walking in/out of doors/building, manuevering through rooms, and jumping into/out of Chevy trucks and Humvees with a M4 slung across my front with very few problems. Not having anywhere to put your shotgun without a sling CAN be a problem. All my combat shotguns had slings."
____________________________________________________________________
We are talking about a HD gun, not a "combat shotgun" or "duty rifle/shotgun." A persons' HD gun will more than likely be grabbed a hold of in the dark because they heard a window breaking, or some strange sound in their home that does not feel right and they grabbed their weapon to make sure the house is indeed clear/safe.

Your not going to be throwing the 3 point sling across your chest, your just grabbing your weapon and going with the least amount of things to think about or get in your way, period.

That said, yes, if you are planning to have your weapon on you for a given amount of time, or climbing, repelling or need both of your hands free to manipulate something, then yes, a sling is invaluable; however, I disagree with most of the "merits" posted here for an HD long arm to require a sling for the HD aspect.

Now this is just my opinion, and ultimately, each individual needs to decide what works best for them and what their actual needs are.

[glockmeister71]

Grim Jackal-I agree

[MrMurphy]

My shotguns had a straight carry strap GI sling for that reason. Not in the way, but there if I needed my hands.

[Bullman]

Mine wears a single point sling set up from GG&G and the Wilderness tactical single point sling. At the time I set it up this way I felt it was the easiest thing for transitioning from shotgun to pistol since it was a work gun.

Not a very good pic of the sling really
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/dabullmanp9/500project.jpg

In this one you can just see the top of the receiver endplate that the sling attaches to.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/dabullmanp9/ghostring.jpg

[gunsite]

i have a Mossberg 590 20in 9 shot and felt i had to purchase a sling when i purchase the weapon. i use a shotgun in the military many many years ago, seems the sling acts as a holster, when my hands needed to be free the shotgun had some where to rest and still be available if i needed it. i never developed a habit of resting my weapon against a tree or laying it on the ground.

[M1Garand]

Install a sling ONLY if you see a need for a sling; otherwise, it will just get in your way.

For professional applications, most shotguns have a sling because you have to carry it and work it days in and out and over distance.

For HD, you probably don't need a sling. Unless you know how to strap on a sling and use it properly, a sling will only get in your way or hook on rails, chairs, furnitures, or other objects in the house.

[deputy tom]

I install sling-swivel studs on all of my long-guns.I use a sling at the range or while in the field but for HD I prefer no sling.YMMV.tom.

[liliysdad]

A sling is a necessity for any long gun used for any tactical application. Theres not a solid argument against it.

In an HD or LE scenario, there are FAR too may times you will need your hands, whether it be to open a door, or go hands on witha bad guy, or render aid to a family member. I prefer not tpo lay my gun on the ground when I hae to use my hands, or transition to a secondary weapon.