Gun Slings - Buying Guide
In this post, you get the facts about - 1-Point 2-Point 3-Point Gun Slings
If you are playing some military sport, shooting, or combat games, it is most likely that you are using a sports rifle or gun such as the airsoft gun. Conventional and sports rifles are usually large, and if you have to move in the field with ease, you would need to have to carry the gun in a way that it is easy to shoot fast and with much ease while preventing accident triggers and inconveniences with other tactical gear.
A sling is an accessory you need for this. It helps you retain your gun as you do other things such as climb, hide, scale your surroundings, or use different weapons. There are three types of slings in the market today, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Your choice of a sling depends on the characteristics of the loop and the way it helps you gain the upper hand over your opponents. Here is a quick overview of each of these slings to assist you in making a selection.
1-point Slings / Single-Point
Single-point slings are used to create a loop, which goes over the head so that the strap goes on the strong side shoulder and then runs diagonally across your torso. They then attach to your weapon at the carbine and have a quick-release device on the receiver side of the attachment. A proper mount is required at the carbine so that the Sling attaches correctly. It is the traditional Sling and a popular rifle and submachine gun sling in combat sports.
With this type of gun sling, the carbine is always front-oriented and the center of the body. That makes it easy for the shooter to grip the gun straight from its resting position and engage the opponents. That ensures that the player is combat-ready at any time. It is ideal for use in combat sports where opponents a tightly packed as the gun is usually always battle-ready.
Apart from making the gun easy to carry and remove the weapon, it also allows one to switch the carbine or SMG from one shoulder to the other and reduce fatigue. That is awesome for players who are not used to carrying some weight on their shoulders. Most of the slings do not come with an adjustable height feature. Therefore, you have to pick a gun sling that fits your body stature and height.
Pros for Gun Sling
The Sling allows players to keep the gun in a combat-ready position at all times as it is always looking forward and across the center of the body. In fact, in the military field, most urban warfare soldiers prefer this kind of a sling as it allows them to be always on alert.
It is also easy to change your shoulders (transition), remove the Sling, and put it back on your weapon. It has a simple but effective design that warriors will find practical when carrying the gun across the combat field. Given that they will be wearing other tactical gear such as helmets, the Sling will not get in their way when moving about.
Cons for Gun Sling
On the flip side, you have to hold your gun in place as it dangles freely in the front. That may not be a comfortable position to carry the gun for some time, especially when moving fast.
The dangling gun can interfere with movement, knock your thighs and knees as you move about. It can be quite painful and cause you to lose in a sport where fast movement offers considerable advantage over opponents.
The Sling does not allow for weight distribution across the body. If you are playing for a significant amount of time, you may tend to feel fatigued in one part of the body.
At the bottom line, Single Point Slings are mostly recommended for Submachine Guns and short rifles like the M4 or HK G36C.
2-point Slings / Two-Point Slings
Two-point slings are also popular sling-style used with sports and combat weapons these days. They differ from the traditional two-point slings in that they come with adjustment loops or some other hardware to allow combatants to adjust the gun length quickly. There are two attachments points to the gun one at the front and the other at the stock. One of the attachments can come with a quick detach buckle should the user need to remove the Sling. However, just like the traditional two-point slings, some loop may be required for mounting.
These types of slings can be worn in two ways. You can wear them on one shoulder or across the body on two shoulders so that your gun rests diagonally across your body. The first instance is good for fast-paced games while the second is suitable for places where there is lots of movement.
Most players use two-point slings as useful shooting aids. Given that they allow for quick adjustment, it is easy for the user to effortless and rapidly snug the gun tight against the body and brace the rifle such a way that he or she can shoot in a stable position. That can help to create a more accurate shot. Yet other users wrap their support arms around the sling forward connection point, thereby pulling the weapon against the shoulder. This style is excellent for engaging far away targets.
Pros for 2-point Slings
The two-point Sling allows you to access the weapon with ease when you have to use it in a moment notice. Given that it is either facing the ground or across the body, engaging your opponent is a lot easier when he or she appears out of the blues.
The Sling offers a stable shooting platform in that one can adjust the length of the Sling so and support the stock of the weapon. It provides excellent support for particularly long rifles or when you need to take out opponents that area distance away.
It is easy to move about fast, when not using the gun as it does not keep hitting the lower parts of the body.
Cons for 2-point Slings
Despite not hitting the lower part of the body, it still does not offer great freedom of movement as it gets on the way on the front, especially when you are moving fast.
It can be tricky to transition your weapon from one shoulder to the other without having to stop for some time to adjust the Sling. This may give opponents a chance to strike you when you are not ready.
The slings with quick-adjust buckle, which, although effective, can be complicated sometimes, making it hard for you to adjust the Sling when you want to stabilize the weapon and shoot at your targets.
Two-Point-Slings are recommended for long rifles like the M16 or HK G36 (standard version).
3-point Sling
A three-point sling is a hybrid of single and two-point slings. It comes with a loop, which you put over your head and across the dominant arm, just like a single-point sling. The tail of the loop connects near the stock of your weapon while the third point connects to the front of the weapon like the 2-point Sling. It looks a little complicated but has significant advantages over the two other types of slings.
Some of the things that three-point slings do well include securing rifle to your body and keeping the weapon in position as you move about the playing field. Then, it allows you to transition to several carry positions with relative ease than the other two types of slings.
However, many inexperienced weapon carriers may have a hard time operating the Sling. They may end up getting tangled in the slings when trying to wear or change shoulders. In the worst-case scenario, they may immobilize the weapon when they need it most. Most of the slings come with quick-release buckles. However, there are cases when the buckle hangs and fails to release from the weapon when the ejection button is pressed.
Pros for 3-point Slings
The three-point Sling allows you to access the rifle with ease even when moving at high speed in the combat field.
You can transition from one shoulder to the other or various carry positions with ease.
The Sling allows for easy weapon retention on the body at whatever position is.
Cons for 3-point Slings
It is the most complicated type of Sling. Attaching it to the weapon or releasing it is usually a big issue for most of the inexperienced users. That may present a significant disadvantage when one is in a combat sport. Given that most users will also be using combat gear, it becomes even harder to untangle from the mess should the loops be entangled.
Improper usage of the Sling may restrict movement, immobilize the weapon or cause tangling.
There is the potential to snag on some parts of the rifle. That makes it a less comfortable rifle sling.
We recommend 3-Point-Slings for experienced rifleman with long rifles like the M16 or G36, RPK-75 AND also for light machine guns like the SAW 249.