Rifle Slings

[FishDFly]

How many here use a sling on their rifle or shotgun to get from the vehicle/house to where they are going to hunt or back?

The reason that I ask is that a couple of years ago, when I was going from the deer blind to the house in late evening darkness, I fell and managed to break a couple of ribs and lose my glasses while trying to protect my rifle from damage when I fell. My thought at the time was, protect your rifle at all costs.

I now use a sling so, both my hands are free and my rifle is across my back and protected in case I should fall.

Please do not turn this into a period correct discussion, my ribs do not care. Just wondering what others do to protect themselves and their guns, or do you worry about protecting your gun if you should fall.

Thanks

RDE

 

[longcruise]

No slings for me. Like to have my rifle ready for action and don't like having it on my back or having a sling getting in the way

 

[playfarmers]

I have a sling on every rifle, muzzleloader included. There are jobs that need 2 hands, and I don't need to worry about my rifle.

 

[tg]

I generaly don't use one but when I do as in during a packout of if I find something real cool that I want to bring out of the woods I carry a piece of soft tanned deerhide about 1 3/4" wide with a slit cut in each end that alows a loop to be made I cut the leather the correct length for the gun I am using and keep in in the haversack, weskit pocket or wherever it is handy depending on my outfit at the time.

 

[smokehouseman]

I carry a piece of nylon webbing that I can tie a knot for whatever length I need to match the situation. Anytime I pack something out I want to have both hands free for a variety of reasons.

 

[bucktales]

I have a sling on every rifle, muzzleloader included. There are jobs that need 2 hands, and I don't need to worry about my rifle.

Same here. I also have slings on all my modern upland shotguns.
A free hand comes in handy, especially when handling dogs.

My MLs have slings but I am never walking in hunting woods with a slinged rifle. Only when walking in or out of the woods in the dark or while dragging a deer out.

One exception though,I sometimes sling a carbine. Being right handed, I carry muzzle down on my left side with left hand on fore end. With a simple flip ,it shoulders in an instant.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I'm another of those that packs a strap that can make a temporary sling. I have one "fixed" length and the other allows some adjustment.

Only time I use it is when dragging out a deer. Where I hunt you couldn't get in or out with a rifle slung barrel up, and barrel down risks a stumble and plugged muzzle. 44" barrels just ain't designed around slings.

As far as a permanent sling on an upland shotgun? Heresy.

 

[bucktales]

As far as a permanent sling on an upland shotgun? Heresy.

Here maybe, but most Euro shotguns I've seen have slings or provisions (hidden or exposed ) for their use.
I know, ff

 

[rabjr]

I don't, kinda hard for me to use them. I do however transport my guns from house to blind and back in a padded gun case.

 

[Stumpkiller]

As far as a permanent sling on an upland shotgun? Heresy.

Here maybe, but most Euro shotguns I've seen have slings or provisions (hidden or exposed ) for their use.

We're taking Upland game - U.S. style. Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock. Not some adlepated moor hen, auerhuhn or capercaillie that's half-duck and gives you time to place your monicle, have a shot of sherry and adjust your tweed cumberbund before leveling into plodding flight.


"FLUSH!"

I say, old man, but it appears that blighter is attempting to gain the air.

I do believe you're right, old sock. But this one is yours by my tally.

Awfully decent of you to remember. Is he to waist level yet.

Just so, Farnsworth, but this headwind is something of a sticky wicket. You may have to step back so as to give him some room.

Oh, quite. While I unsling my fowler I'll head back here a few paces.

That's better. Have at him!

POOM!

Oh, good show!

Thenkyew.

 

[bucktales]

Whatever
Good Shootin. :hatsoff:

 

[redwing]

Richard, I have a sling on my .58 Yaeger. I also have a sling on my .62 smooth gun. Don't break any more bones or you won't be able to shoot in Phx.,Az. :hmm:

Like TG said I always carry some soft leather with me for a sling if I need it. :thumbsup:

 

[redwing]

BT I have an old Beretta 56 20 Ga.. It was picked up in Italy in 1958. It has those tiny little sling keepers.
Hunting with Gordons is a true delight. :thumbsup:

 

[paulvallandigham]

Richard: I have a friend, who is a dog breeder, and field dog trainer, who takes her dogs to field trials, She has to control the dog, and also be prepared to shoot the pigeons thrown from mechanical traps to test the dogs. Because she is so small, she found she needed both hands free just to control her dogs. Her solution was to have a gunsmith put sling swivels on her 20 gauge S-A shotgun, and sling it over her shoulder, so she had both hands to control her dog, and handle any other gear required. A lot of the older, male trainers have her haughty looks, and snubbed her. Until they missed their birds, and she brought the birds down at long ranges with her 20 gauge shotgun. After watching her hit all her birds, and hit any bird missed by another shooter when she was assigned to be the "backup shooter", and then seeing how well her dogs worked, the guys started thawing a bit, and gave her credit for solving the problems of what to do with that gun when its all you can do to just control the dog and recover the downed bird.

I find a lot of women, and some kids do much better in the field if you sling their guns and show them how to carry the gun using the sling, while they use their hands to carry recovered birds, or hold their dogs. Men seem willing to juggle all these things, and probably don't handle their guns the safest way in the process.

I think you do what you need to do, to get in and out of the field with the game you hunt. If that means you sling your rifle, or shotgun, then why not use one? The heck with everyone else! I have a sling on my pump shotgun with its deer slug barrel, and I don't care what others may think. The sling comes off when I put the trap barrel on and go to trap shoots, with only the stud in the buttstock sticking up to indicate that the gun has been "fitted " for a sling. That stud has kept that gun from being "mistakenly " taken from the gun racks at several sites over the years, as other shooters seem to be checking the quality of the buttstock first, before noticing that my gun is LHed also! I bought a trap stock in fairly nice wood from Remington shortly after I bought my " wingmaster", so it would better fit me. A lot of shooters ask where I got that wood. If the stock were on a RH gun, that gun might just "disappear" when I wasn't looking. That sling stud seems to mark the gun as untouchable, and that is just fine with me.

 

[Poor Private]

Put me down for the sling list. It's tuff enough to cross fences with both hands free without having to find a spot to rest your weapon on the other side then climb over then pick it back up. How do those that walk in a woods thats has heavy downfall get around beats me. Much easier with 2 hands free. I also can reload my .58 Enfied, or my .58 "63" Remington(I refuse to call it a Zouve) with the sling on it and tossed over my shoulder. Isn't that why the manufacturer of the weapon put sling swivels on it in the first place? Also as a civil war reenactor, carrying in all your gear in one trip it makes it much easier.

 

[FishDFly]

Thanks to all for your responses and insight.

There are a lot more sling users than I thought.

Again thanks,

RDE

 

[gjkershul]

Put me in the camp of slings on all long guns I use in the field. Here in the mountains it makes it possible to use a walking stick for stability and a slung weapon is useful when checking the GPS on the march.

 

[Old Sarge]

Good one Stumpy...I wonder if the bloke hit the blighter? :wink:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I cross fences by putting my hat on the ground on the other side, and either unloading the gun, or opening the action, or taking the prime out of my flintlock and putting the hammer stall on it, before placing the gun on the ground with the muzzle on my hat, pointed away from where I intend to cross. Only then do I cross. If I am lucky enough to be hunting with someone, I take his gun while he crosses, then hand him the guns, muzzle up, and he holds them until I cross.

On deadfalls, I tend to follow game trails in the woods. Other animals, and especially small birds and squirrels are used to hearing and seeing larger animals walk along those game trails, are are much less likely to give out alarm calls when I use a game train rather than when busting brush. Until a trees has rotted away and lost its leaves and much of its branches, most game go around a deadfall. I also go around, rather than take the " short cut ". I don't think its much of a short cut when ever darn bird and squirrel in the woods begins giving out alarms and telling all the deer in the woods that someone HUGE is moving over a deadfall and scaring them. I am using "still Hunting", when I am walking thru the woods, and taking the 'shortcut' is counterproductive. I also believe it is less hazardous to me to go around than to attempt to climb over a deadfall that may be rotten where it looks firm. I don't want it collapsing under me, nor do I want to make that kind of a disturbance in the woods.

I have been forced to climb over a fresh deadfall that blocked a trail, because there was no safer way to go to get around it. That is when I take the prime out of my pan, put the hammer stall on the gun, and either sling it over my shoulder, or preferrably, find some place on the other side of the deadfall I can reach and place the gun where it will not fall, or fire, nor point at me as I cross the deadfall. :thumbsup:

 

[Little Wattsy]

I certianly use a sling...I dont HAVE to use it when I want my gun ready but I am smart enough to decern when I want it and when I dont.... :wink:
Got mine from Cabela's nice leather lace on, works well. Looks "authentic" to ME.