Although modern lightweight materials are increasingly used in the construction of assault rifles, every weapon still weighs something. While during shooting, there is no choice but to "absorb" the entire weight multiplied by the recoil with your hands, during movements, clever sling straps serve as a handy assistant.
Published 16.05.2024 / RaptorX
The main role of most tactical slings is precisely to relieve your arms, as they evenly distribute the weight across the chest. Another advantage is the attachment itself, which allows you to release the weapon at any time and perform other activities while the rifle remains within reach. With a medic kit hung on the sling, you can, for example, apply medical aid to an injured colleague, prepare food, or locate the currently needed equipment in the pouches.
The most common distinguishing feature of tactical slings is the number of attachment points. Single-point slings are usually attached to the weapon in the area of the stock, and when "dropped," the weapon hangs directly under the shoulder, making it easy and quick to grab again. Single-point slings are primarily intended for lighter and shorter types such as carbines, Personal Defense Weapons (PDWs), or submachine guns. However, a longer rifle suspended at a single point hinders movement - as confirmed by a soldier who wished to remain anonymous: "A model 58 or BREN on a single-point sling hits a person in the crotch and dangles between the legs. When you kneel or bend down, the barrel probably sticks into the ground."
Single-point slings are particularly popular in CQB (Close Quarters Battle - short-range combat usually in enclosed spaces), where the shooter alternates between the rifle and the pistol several times in a short period and needs to quickly and uncomplicatedly access both. Despite the mentioned drawbacks, some users also prefer single-point slings in the field, where they appreciate their simplicity, intuitive use, and easy weapon control.
Two-point slings have long been the most widespread classic. They attach to the extreme points of the rifle - the stock and the barrel/foregrip - somewhat resembling a guitar strap. They evenly distribute the weight, even with a heavier piece, and offer perhaps the most reasonable compromise between comfort and weapon accessibility. By simply swinging the rifle, you can easily move it to your back. When carrying it on your chest, don't forget to adjust the length precisely - a strap that is too short will choke you, while one that is unnecessarily long won't allow you to immediately grab and press the weapon to your cheek in an emergency.
"Three-point" slings are by no means for everyone because their adequate deployment takes a less experienced user quite some time and thought. Hanging a weapon equipped with such a sling on oneself in speed or stress rarely succeeds on the first try, and to acquire routine habits, one must train the movements and carefully adjust the length of the individual parts. Some shooters also complain that three-point slings are thinner than two-point slings, so they dig more into the muscles.
When embarking on a longer journey where you don't need to have the rifle constantly at the ready, attaching it with a three-point sling to your back is somewhat more complicated. However, during the action itself, its key benefit lies in maximum weapon accessibility even after releasing it - the third point ensures that the rifle remains constantly on the chest. While walking or running in terrain, the weapon also doesn't sway from side to side, as sometimes happens with a "two-pointer." However, as with any equipment, it is generally true that no variant is better or worse - you need to try out with your specific weapon which type of attachment suits you best and stick with it. Moreover, the most modern three-point models often feature special buckles that, when unfastened, transform the sling into a single-point one.
When choosing a sling, don't forget about other important parameters - such as a color matching the finish of your rifle. Quick-release buckles are standard on more sophisticated models, allowing you to release the weapon with one touch and use it without being limited by the length of the strap. Most shooters prefer wider straps, which better distribute the weight, but for some, a width of 50 mm, matching a car's seat belt, is cumbersome, and they don't feel comfortable with such "strapping." If you opt for a narrower design (in addition to the mentioned dimension, 30 and 40 mm are most common), we recommend choosing a product with rubber padding.
Finally, it should be noted that even the best sling would be useless to shooters if they didn't have a way to attach it to the weapon. The so-called QD swivel, through which the sling is threaded, is most commonly used. The eye is then attached to the rifle using various adapters, such as those for the Picatinny rail or modular systems like KeyMod or M-LOK. For wooden stocks (as with the AK-47), the swivel can be drilled into it, and for connecting it to the tube of an adjustable stock (AR-15 platform and others), a circular clamp helps. The advantage of QD swivels is their negligible weight of a few grams, durable aluminum alloy or steel, and a 360-degree rotation range, allowing the sling to always adapt to the shooter's position and grip.