Project Appleseed

Road to Rifleman => Skill Sets of Shooting => Topic started by: ax238 on April 08, 2008, 09:18:27 PM

Title: M16 use as per Appleseed precision shooting
Post by: ax238 on April 08, 2008, 09:18:27 PM
I have looked over this sight and outside it trying to find a step by step procedure to sling up for precision shooting.  I have found many links/pdfs/post about turner loop sling use as regarding the M1a/Garang but nothing really tells all about the AR15.

Can someone post some pics for sling use in prone:sitting:offhand?  I am new to the AR and want to sling up with the thing right.

I think this needs to be a sticky as well.

Ax
Title: Re: M16 use as per Appleseed precision shooting
Post by: wcmartin1 on April 08, 2008, 09:49:23 PM
It's basically the same with the exception of the swivels being a little farther apart and the lower pistol grip. 

Put the sling on the rifle and adjust it to fit as needed depending on the way you get in your positions, your body type/configuration, and personal preferences.

I recently bought an AR and put my sling on the same way as I did on my M1A.  However, it's adjusted slightly different considering the above factors
Title: Re: M16 use as per Appleseed precision shooting
Post by: Nickle on April 09, 2008, 09:02:14 AM
OK, here's the real slick trick for using a full length (20" barrel) AR with a sling.

Find yourself one of the NYLON USGI web type slings. The nylon slings are longer than the cotton slings, to accommodate the extra length between swivels on the full length AR.

They were NOT M14 slings, contrary to popular belief, but were actually the ORIGINAL M16/M16A1 sling, and only got replaced with the current issue "garbage" sling when the M16A2 came out in the early/mid 1980's. Yeah, it took me a while to convince Fred they actually were M16 slings, as they also got used on the M14's in Vietnam, and other places.

Every M16A1 I had assigned to me up to the time the M16A2 came out (from 1972 until about 1985 or so) had one of these nice nylon slings, and they work identical to the M1/M14 cotton web sling.

Make sure you don't sling up tight, just get it snug, unless you've got full floating handguards.

And, these slings will work on the FAL as well. Remember to keep the FAL snug, not tight, too.
Title: Re: M16 use as per Appleseed precision shooting
Post by: wcmartin1 on April 09, 2008, 12:13:07 PM
Quote from: Nickle on April 09, 2008, 09:02:14 AM

Make sure you don't sling up tight, just get it snug, unless you've got full floating handguards.


Yep, forgot to mention - mine's got the float tube.
Title: Re: M16 use as per Appleseed precision shooting
Post by: Sir Not Appearing In This Film on April 09, 2008, 03:30:11 PM
Here is a picture of a right handed AR shooter implementing a "Loop Sling" in a sitting postion. Note that the sling is only connected to the rifle's front sling swivel. The non-shooting forearm has put some tension on the sling while the other end of the sling is looped around the non-shooting arm above the bicep.

(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5553/img4759wu4.jpg)



Here are a couple pictures of a left handed AR shooter implementing a "Loop Sling" in a standing postion. Similar to the sitting photo, the sling is only connected to the rifle's front sling swivel. The non-shooting forearm has put some tension on the sling while the other end of the sling is looped around the non-shooting arm above the bicep.

(http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8406/img4545pi3.jpg)

(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1323/img4546mx2.jpg)


Hope this helps. I'l keep digging to see if I have more photos. I'm usually busy calling the line or watching for safety issues at shoots and forget to snap pics.

Here's a link to the source I have used for nylon slings.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=984970&chrSuperSKU=&MC=
Title: Re: M16 use as per Appleseed precision shooting
Post by: WECSOG on April 09, 2008, 04:15:42 PM
Quote from: wcmartin1 on April 09, 2008, 12:13:07 PM
Quote from: Nickle on April 09, 2008, 09:02:14 AM

Make sure you don't sling up tight, just get it snug, unless you've got full floating handguards.


Yep, forgot to mention - mine's got the float tube.

Not to get too far off topic, but, would there be any difference in accuracy with regards to having the front sling attach at the barrel or using the front gas block / hand guard pin?  The set of Penguin front handguards I installed have a sling attachment on the pin that threads through the front gas block and holds the guards on.

Title: Re: M16 use as per Appleseed precision shooting
Post by: Old Dog on April 09, 2008, 04:54:07 PM
Ah, you're talking about a FAL, right?  Try it for yourself.  Shoot a 5 shot group with a "snug" sling.  Then crank down on it and shoot a five shot group with an extremely tight, make your arm go to sleep sling and see what the difference is in POI on the target.  Not necessarliy group size, but where the group is on the target in relation to your point of aim.
Title: Re: M16 use as per Appleseed precision shooting
Post by: ax238 on April 09, 2008, 05:21:01 PM

Thank you
'Sir not appearing in this film'

That is the kind of answer I was looking for.  I have recently acquired a 'XCR' and have been looking for hard data in the form of pics and actual pics to help with the sling ?s.  This is my first and last AR so I plan on taking it to the upcoming IN shoot to get to know it better.  It has been a great honeymoon so far.  Much thanks to Bravo for pointing me in the right direction, he knows what the good stuff is...!
One question.  In regards to the shooting hand: the tension on a AR to pull in the rifle is actually mostly performed by the shooting (dominant) hand then right?
Title: Re: M16 use as per Appleseed precision shooting
Post by: Sir Not Appearing In This Film on April 09, 2008, 05:40:08 PM
Quote from: ax238 on April 09, 2008, 05:21:01 PMOne question.  In regards to the shooting hand: the tension on a AR to pull in the rifle is actually mostly performed by the shooting (dominant) hand then right?

That's correct. The non-shooting hand functions as a "platform" for the rifle forearm to rest on. Notice the shooters in the pictures don't have their fingers touching the foreend. The forearm of the rifle should simply rest on the "platform".


(just call me SNAITF - will save ya some typing... ;))
Title: Re: M16 use as per Appleseed precision shooting
Post by: Nickle on April 09, 2008, 09:33:29 PM
Quote from: WECSOG on April 09, 2008, 04:15:42 PM
Quote from: wcmartin1 on April 09, 2008, 12:13:07 PM
Quote from: Nickle on April 09, 2008, 09:02:14 AM

Make sure you don't sling up tight, just get it snug, unless you've got full floating handguards.


Yep, forgot to mention - mine's got the float tube.

Not to get too far off topic, but, would there be any difference in accuracy with regards to having the front sling attach at the barrel or using the front gas block / hand guard pin?  The set of Penguin front handguards I installed have a sling attachment on the pin that threads through the front gas block and holds the guards on.



The FAL uses the same rules as the AR. Snug, not tight, unless you've got a full floater. And, yes they do make a full floater forend for the FAL. Probably metric only, seeing that my FAL is an L1A1. Hopefully GMB74 shows up to answer this one, or you could just PM him. He knows the answer to this better than most of us, as he is big on the FAL.