Marking a nylon sling for quick reference

[E. Massey]

What is the best way to mark the points on a nylon sling for quick reference when adjusting the fastner for various positions?

Should you mark it with whiteout?  Some kind of tape? Suggestions appreciated.

Thanks!

[Junior Birdman]

   Folks just mark the sling with an ink pen where it goes over the front swivel. Keep in mind it will change slightly with the seasons and thicker or thinner clothes, but s a good reference from which to begin.

[AZRedhawk44]

To mark a cotton or nylon sling... you need to make at least 2 marks to maintain one position.  To move between two different preset positions, you need 3 marks.

The keeper slides up and down on the main part of the sling that you actually use, as well as the spare part on the outside you use to adjust tension.  Having a mark only on one "side" of the sling just allows you to confuse yourself since the nylon/cotton sling is infinitely adjustable.

Get the sling adjusted for one particular position (let's say prone).  Make a mark on the "inside" side of the sling where the keeper is.  Also mark the "outside" part of the sling on the slack.  Now you can screw up your sling all you want, and all you have to do is align the two lines with your keeper and you're back at prone preset.  Mark the "slack" side line with a P for prone.

Keeping the inside line as a permanent reference point, adjust your sling for your alternate position (let's say standing).  You will tighten or loosen the sling and keep the keeper aligned with the "inside" mark, but adjust the slack portion of the sling.  Make a second pen mark on the slack side of the sling and put a letter there ("S" perhaps) to denote standing. 

[E. Massey]

Great, thanks for the tips.  I think I will hold off on making the marks until I get to an appleseed and have an instructor judge if I'm getting  it right.   Will be sure to bring a red or green marker with me so i can make marks that will show up on my black nylon sling.

[Fred]

    The "slider thingy" that's down near the rear sling clip? That's called the "buckle" - think of those old colonial-times shoes, and the buckle on them, and you'll understand.

     It's best - before you start - to slide the buckle all the way down to that clip - then adjust and mark the sling for "hasty" since there'll be times you'll use hasty. I find I don't need any other mark - a "loop" sling is simply pulling the clip off the rear swivel, and opening up and putting on the loop - don't need to change the keeper or lengthen or shorten the sling from it's "hasty" position. YMMV, of course...

    Your best idea is to wait until you get to an AS - and I'm not sure I'd mark the sling, even there. It could take a few weeks or even months before you know you have your sling right, depending on how much you can get out to the range.

[E. Massey]

Well I guess I really do need to mark the sling, I went to my 1st appleseed and only made a 130 on the AQT 

My main problem occured during the prep period before stage 2.  I failed to load my mags and get my sling adjusted from hasty to loop (and tight enough) within the prep period.  This resulted in me fiddling with my sling for 20-30 secs into the stage, struggling to get the tension correct.   I got off 4 shots before time expired, but in my haste I shot the stage 3 targets, resulting in a goose egg for stage 2.  In addition I incorrectly shot 4/3/3 and 3/3/2/2 for stages 3 and 4. 

On the plus side, at least I did hit what I was aiming at with most of my errant rounds.  So I either need to make some marks or practice timed prep periods on my own.

Ahhh well, more excuses to come back and try again next month i guess!  Wish i could've stayed for sunday, but duty calls.

-Eric

[J Jessup]

Eric:

Great job!     You are well on your way to Rifleman.  You made some common errors and are already thinking about how to do it differently.  I'd bet you will improve greatly at your next AS.   You'll be able to concentrate more on the shooting because you'll be more familiar with the course of fire and the equipment.  Glad you are on the trail!

Chap

[E. Massey]

Eric:

Great job!     You are well on your way to Rifleman.  You made some common errors and are already thinking about how to do it differently.  I'd bet you will improve greatly at your next AS.   You'll be able to concentrate more on the shooting because you'll be more familiar with the course of fire and the equipment.  Glad you are on the trail!

Chap

Thanks for the encouragement.  Scout and the other instructors at Davilla TX put on an awesome show this weekend, we had about 25 shooters and it was a great time all around, despite the oppressive heat in the afternoon.  We had one fellow shooter make rifleman on day 1 with a 221, much respect to him.

[jmdavis]

If you have extra mags,prep them on the way to the targets. Or if you have any down time, prep them then. If nothing else prep them while the RSO's are clearing the lines.

[Old Dog]

I usually give folks that advice at Appleseeds. 

I've noticed on my cotton web slings that the material takes a "set" when clamped down and it's easy to see where it was last time.  If the sling goes from looser to tighter as you go from sitting to prone then you should be able to look at the spot were the clamp mashes the sling material down and set it right each time.

[dean]

I stopped marking my web sling a long time ago. Prone requires a slightly bent elbow and sitting requires a more bent elbow. Not real scientific, but once you learn how much bend in your elbow you need, the sling is very quickly adjusted for the position you are about to take.  Slight adjustments are easily made while in position.