A Sling to Loan.

[2 clicks low]

I'm sure we have all had a student who didn't have a sling, or the wrong sling. I go to lend them one only to find that they have fixed 1" swivels.

I went and got several of these http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Detail.aspx?pid=537280&filter=sling+hook&catid=0 surpluss J-Hooks for $1.40 each.

I used my dremel tool to cut the hooks down to 1". I also cut the rear hook to 1". They will now pop onto 1" swivels as well as 1 1/4". Also if they have no swivels or studs, a quick wrap of vet-wrap on the barrel or forend along with a zip tie lets them use a loop sling that they can easily adjust.

Pictures below.

2cl

Be sure to get a deposit when loaning it out. Car Keys work well.

[Foppish Dandy]

You can also get a good price on polyester webbing (I prefer it to nylon and cotton due to it's durability and water-resistance) and adjustment hardware at strapworks.com. Build some really solid and inexpensive loaner-slings.

[oladcock]

Good tip 2CL, I've bought hooks from them before to put hooks at both ends since the GI slings only come with 1. Makes for fast hasties or loops....O.L.

[Foppish Dandy]

Good tip 2CL, I've bought hooks from them before to put hooks at both ends since the GI slings only come with 1. Makes for fast hasties or loops....O.L.

Would that make it a hasty-hasty-hasty, hasty-hasty and hasty-loop?
...aaaaaaaand rimshot!

[The Wolfhound]

My CZ452 came with (and still has) 1 inch loops.  I made one of these slings about a year and a half ago.  It has served on many rifles since.  Every Appleseed, someone has had need of it.

[ItsanSKS]

For those who have need of a 1" USGI-style web sling, check out Tech-sights.   

They now offer the same type of sling that we all know and love, in a 1" format...

(not a product endorsement, as I haven't personally seen or used one.)

[dond]

I always carry a few of the 1 inch Tech-Sight slings with me to loan or sell shooters. They are good slings.

[GabeC]

At our shoot a friend didn't have a sling, so I grabbed my Magpul MS3 off my M4. It will clip to any swivels and in my opinion actually works better than the Garand sling. And with how it is designed you don't have to worry about metal clips and buckles scratching your rifle. At our next Appleseed my wife and I will both be using them.

[mj52]

2 clicks low,

I'm glad to see someone else uses a dryer top as a work spce

[perdurabo]

GabeC, how the heck do you sling up for kneeling and prone with a Magpul MS3?  I've got one and I can see where you can make a loop with the one end that has the small adjustment loop, but when you sling up with it, the tension doesnt automatically tighten as with a USGI web sling and you have a ton of spare slack in the upper sling adjustment thats just dangling there.  Can you post a pic of how you sling up with an MS3?

[GabeC]

It does give you some excess slack, but not enough that it bothers me. And you can always trim off some of the fabric as the Magpul slings seem overly long to begin with. A couple quick marks with a sharpie and you know where to adjust the sling for each position. The loop for your arm does retain enough tension to keep the sling rigid for me, as that is the same piece of the sling that will attach to your front mount (although it does rotate to the top/inside of the arm). It may not take the place is of the USGI, but I do think it is a viable option especially for rifles where you are not able to run 1.25" swivels.