Quick Release Sling Mount/Swivel for AR

[Mixed Metaphor]

I have a S&W M&P15 Sport with stock hand guards.  I would like a quick release front sling mount/swivel.  I need some guidance please.

[Caliper]

Do you mean the QD socket style sling attachment like this:


Or the traditional quick release like this:

[Mixed Metaphor]

Caliper,

Only the QD socket showed.  I'm not certain what style yet.  I know I want a reliable piece of equipment that is reasonably priced.

[Maximum Ordinate]

Gary,

Harris Bipod Adapter is the droid you're looking for:



You can find it on Amazon or perhaps there will be a spare available at the Gurley shoot this weekend.   

-Rusty

[Caliper]

Yup, the Harris works great with GI handguards. You'll either need to remove the heat shield on the bottom or remove it, bend it a bit and reinstall.

For a QD style, I'd think the new Magpul handguards with M-lok slots and a M-lok QD socket are the lowest price option.

You aren't intending to wear your sling as a fashion accessory are you? It really doesn't help with the ladies. 

[Mixed Metaphor]

Rusty,

You are the Man!  Thank you.   

[Mixed Metaphor]

Caliper,

I was, in fact, hoping for some help.  I think my wife finds the sling hanging from arm very sexy!   

Thank you for your replies!

[jmdavis]

Without a float tube, I don't think that you are going to be happy with a QD. Even with the stock swivel, you may find unexpected impacts from your shots. That's not to say that you can't shoot rifleman with it. But if you sling up tight, even with a heavy barrel, the POI will move. The problem is that it may change as the sling loosens during the course of fire even if your position is rock solid.

Have you tried the existing swivel on the rifle?

[Maximum Ordinate]

Gary is twice KD qualified with the stock sling swivel.   

[Mutant Texan]

I have used both the QD swivel on the AR like platforms and the traditional quick release on my Ruger 10/22. 

I prefer the QD method for a few reasons.

1) The ease in reconnecting the QD swivel to the rifle when you are ready to shoot is a nice luxury.  You can leave the sling on your arm and connect it to the rifle with one hand instead of having to use two hands for the traditional quick release.

2)  The swivel connection point is light weight and low profile.  The Spartan look is eye candy for me.

3)  I can use 1 sling and move it between rifles with ease and not worry about getting the sling buckles at the correct length every time I move the sling.

I have not used Mlok.  It is a Magpul standard that none of my rifles have.  This was not a deliberate choice of mine because CMMG uses the Keymod instead of Mlok and I like CMMG a lot.  I will say that many Mlok accessories are at Cabela's, Bass Pro and Scheels.  I have not had good luck finding the Keymod at retail outlets and have ordered Keymod stuff online.

I will add that I do like the feel of an AR platform rifle with a free floating handguard.  If you go with a QD swivel, get the free floating hand guard to go with it.

I will include some pics to help visualize this.

[jmdavis]

Gary is twice KD qualified with the stock sling swivel.   

And I KD qualified 9 times with the stock swivel on the D targets, with irons and scope and several times with the M1 with irons  as well. I also ran KD's in VA and NC and taught at them in VA, NC, MO, and IN. Further I know that the best shooters in the nation cannot shoot a gun without a float tube anywhere near as well as the shoot with one. But to each his own.

My point is that I would use the stock swivel rather than trying to rig a QD one and I would use a float tube or quad rail before using the stock swivel. That doesn't mean that you can't hit 80% of the targets with an A2. It means that you will usually score better with a railed or tubed rifle.

If you have a quad rail, by all means use the QD that works for you.

[jmdavis]

By the way the man that shot a new Service Rifle record  998-44x of 1000 this weekend  told me about an experiment using a 1.5 inch AR barrel turned down to fit the handguards, it still showed deflection with a sling mounted to the barrel rather than a float tube.

[Maximum Ordinate]

Gary,

I found the part you want and will give it to Roberta tomorrow at work.  You'll have time to install it before this weekend. 

Bring your rifle to Haven Farm to see if you like it.  If it work's for ya, it's yours.  Good job on the requal at Talladega this past weekend!

-Rusty

[Mixed Metaphor]

Rusty,

Thank you Sir! 

[maxwell]

1) The ease in reconnecting the QD swivel to the rifle when you are ready to shoot is a nice luxury.  You can leave the sling on your arm and connect it to the rifle with one hand instead of having to use two hands for the traditional quick release.

You can make this work, but I tell shooters on the line not to do it (they seldom listen). Take the sling off your arm, and leave it attached to the forward sling swivel. Two main reasons:

1) it will loosen up and slide down, and people forget to move it up (the sling down by their elbow doesn't help)

2) you will not develop muscle memory and habits necessary to put the sling on and show others how to do it

The second point matters more if you're instructing, but also if you just take a couple month break. "Let's see; I turn it which way? The J-hook goes on what side? It's supposed to be where?"

[Mixed Metaphor]

jmdavis, Mutant Texan and Maxwell,

I do appreciate all of your input!  I will continue to practice, develop and learn from all with whom I have contact.  I would love to shoot with you all one day.     

[Mixed Metaphor]

Maximum Ordinate,

Adapter and sling mounted.  I'll play with it as time permits and see how it works.  Per instruction, I will bring it tomorrow. 

[goodoldfriend]

jgarysmith,

Any chance you can post a photo of the results?

Thanks, Goodoldfriend

[The Wolfhound]

1) The ease in reconnecting the QD swivel to the rifle when you are ready to shoot is a nice luxury.  You can leave the sling on your arm and connect it to the rifle with one hand instead of having to use two hands for the traditional quick release.

You can make this work, but I tell shooters on the line not to do it (they seldom listen). Take the sling off your arm, and leave it attached to the forward sling swivel. Two main reasons:

1) it will loosen up and slide down, and people forget to move it up (the sling down by their elbow doesn't help)

2) you will not develop muscle memory and habits necessary to put the sling on and show others how to do it

The second point matters more if you're instructing, but also if you just take a couple month break. "Let's see; I turn it which way? The J-hook goes on what side? It's supposed to be where?"

This for me is the big one.  Most shooters are encountering the sling for the first time.  I tell them that putting it on twenty times in the weekend gives them twenty chances for the instructor corps. to help them get it right.  We won't be there at the range with them in 3 months when they think "how did that go again?"

[Mixed Metaphor]

jgarysmith,

Any chance you can post a photo of the results?

Thanks, Goodoldfriend

Goodoldfriend,

I will try to remember to snap a picture and post it.  My memory is not as good as it was when it was better.....  I tried it out Saturday and like it. 

[goodoldfriend]

Thank you sir. I am just starting to work with my MSR and have read that if the sling is attached to the gas block, as mine is, will pull on the barrel and contribute to accuracy problems. I am trying to figure out what I want to do at this point.

Heck, maybe I will even think about a different upper for it. Perhaps do a flat top upper....HMMMM
I am having this thought because by the time I swap out the hand guard for a free float one it may cost as much as a replacement upper. I am considering all the cost of the parts and tools I would need to do the job.

Looking forward to your photo.

Regards, Goodoldfriend

[goodoldfriend]

Mr. Smith was kind enough to send me a photo of his finished sling mount. Here I am attempting to post it.

[goodoldfriend]

OK, I just ordered one from Amazon. Will see how it works and post my results.

Thanks!

[Mixed Metaphor]

goodoldfriend,

Thank you for posting the picture.

[jmdavis]

Thank you sir. I am just starting to work with my MSR and have read that if the sling is attached to the gas block, as mine is, will pull on the barrel and contribute to accuracy problems. I am trying to figure out what I want to do at this point.

Heck, maybe I will even think about a different upper for it. Perhaps do a flat top upper....HMMMM
I am having this thought because by the time I swap out the hand guard for a free float one it may cost as much as a replacement upper. I am considering all the cost of the parts and tools I would need to do the job.

Looking forward to your photo.

Regards, Goodoldfriend

Get an inexpensive rail and then mount the sling to it. Or you could install a float tube under the hand guards and attach to that. But honestly I think a rail is just fine.

An example. But shop around.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2545182639/nordic-components-slotted-customizable-free-float-tube-handguard-ar-15-aluminum-black

[navybowhunter]

With Wolfhound and JMDavis on this one.

The rifle has a sling swivel, it is not ideal.  But for Appleseed accuracy, it should work.

If all your looking for is "Easy on/Easy Off" then by all means...but Wolfhound has covered that.

JMDavis has addressed that no matter how you attach the sling, it could most definitely be better for accuracy.

Without a float tube, unless you really are religious about sling tension....your POA and POI will shift a little.

Another upper is expensive. 

There are options out there. 
For example: 
Troy offers a quad rail that is free floating and uses the existing barrel nut. 
https://troyind.com/products/mrf-10-blk
The above would work perfect for a mid length rifle, 16 inch barrel.

Or....you could get yourself a flat top upper.

The rail I am using on my flat top upper now for competition, has a modification on the rail for the sling swivel.  If interested in that, check out Keystone Accuracy and look at their flattop uppers.

John S, from Keystone, actually modifies a YHM quad rail for a sling swivel.  It is STRONG and STOUT.

FWIW, the handguard QD I would likely wind up tearing the handguard off...or ripping the QD off.

Best of luck.

R/
Chris

[goodoldfriend]

Mr. Smith,

Have you had a chance to use the sling mount with a sling in live fire yet? I received mine today and will be working soon to try it. Just wondering if you have any opinion yet.

Thanks, goodoldfriend

[Mixed Metaphor]

Matt,

I am Gary.    I did fire with the sling mount and like it.  It is just hair farther back than optimal, but works very well for me.