Archive for category: Gun Slings

Is an Expensive Sling Worth the Money?

So you’re on the quest for a sling. Maybe you’re here because you’ve been burned by cheap stuff in the past. Maybe your gear is doing OK so far, but you’re wondering what it’s like to have a nice piece to add to your rig. Is the juice worth the squeeze?

 

Your sling has an immediate effect on your comfort and capability with your rifle. Expensive slings are worth the money because of the benefits you receive from using them. High-quality slings will be more expensive, but they offer far more utility, comfort, and value. 

 

The reality is, the “saying you get what you pay for” applies more heavily to slings than it does to a lot of your kit. And no, that’s not an exaggeration or hyperbole. Let’s take a close look at a sling and see where the pain points are.

The Right Gear

You know your needs better than anyone, and you’ve tailored your rifle perfectly from the barrel length, stock, grip, rail, optics, trigger, and more. The sad fact is that a lot of times a sling is an afterthought if it’s included at all. How many times do you see a super slick high-dollar rig on Instagram with no sling?

 

Sure, some folks store guns without a sling, but a lot of times these guns are dragged out of the safe, fondled, and put back. Or they are shot at the range only a handful of times. 

 

Without getting into a tangent about proficiency with your rifle, it is sufficient to say that you need to really shake your gear down and see if it still cuts the mustard after a carbine class or two. We’d wager to say that a cheap Amazon sling does NOT live up to its $10 price tag.

 

Slings most often fail at their hardware, or because they’re made of inferior materials. A cheap triglide might bust open, sending your precious boomstick plummeting to the dirt. Or some slippery nylon decides it has cooperated long enough and makes its way through the triglide with the same result.

 

Taking a carbine class is the best way to see if your stuff is really up to snuff and all that you think it is. You carry your gun for hours on end, move, shoot, change positions, and engage targets at varying distances. 

 

Cheap guns, optics, and gear quickly fall by the wayside as they’re put under the strain of life outside the safe, also known as real-life scenarios. If your rifle jams, you clear it and move on with your day. If your sling quits, your day just got a whole lot suckier. And the worst part? It was totally preventable if you hadn’t cheaped out on your sling.

 

 Let’s look at what makes a nice sling and make sure your day doesn’t stink due to a subpar sling. Besides, a nice sling doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars.

padded rifle sling in camo

To Pad or Not to Pad

A quality sling is always going to be leaps and bounds better than a cheap, one-size-fits-all number you get from eBay or Amazon. A nice sling offers better fit, retention, adjustment, higher quality hardware, and greater comfort than a cheapy. But, if you want the Cadillac of slings, you want a padded sling.

 

Padded slings used to be the domain of machine gunners and guys carrying AR-10s and other heavy rifles. But padded slings of days past were bulky and cumbersome. Today’s offerings are lightweight, slender, and offer a greater degree of comfort if you’re going to be walking or carrying your gun for a decent amount of time.

 

Our Padded Sling is made with the same durable nylon as our original sling, but with closed-cell memory foam sewn inside. The padded area extends out to 1.5” in width to disperse the pressure over a greater area, compounding the comfort afforded by the foam insert. 

 

Closed-cell memory foam is ideal for padding in a sling because it won’t absorb water like a regular cheap filling will. Plus, it bounces back to its original form when you’re not using it. In other words, it won’t flatten out over time.

 

Many guys are opting for a padded sling because they’re just a few dollars more but the added comfort is worth way more than the price.

Synthetic vs Leather 

Leather is often seen as more traditional material for rifle slings, and it does provide some distinct advantages compared to synthetic fabric slings. Like high quality synthetic, leather is very durable and resistant to wear and tear, meaning that with proper care your leather sling should last you a good long while. However, leather requires regular maintenance, cleaning and conditioning in order to keep it from drying out or cracking over time. It is also more difficult to adjust than synthetic slings.

 

Synthetic fabrics, particularly premium nylon, offer distinct advantages over leather slings: they tend not be affected by moisture like leather is, making them ideal for use in wet environments. They are easily adjustable and, if you get one with padding, far more comfortable than leather.

 

Just like leather, not all synthetic material is created equal. Using cheap, slippery nylon or leather, for example, will lead to headaches down the road. Your rifle might slip out of position when you’re lining up a shot, or as you carry it. Sometimes you want your gun to stay put when it’s slung, and cheap materials will slip and slide all over as you walk and move. Our slings use premium nylon and sealed ends that prevent fraying.  

Hardware

Hardware is a critical part of your sling because it’s what attaches to your rifle, and by extension, you to your rig. Hardware is made up of items like triglides, QD (quick detach) attachments, clips, and basically everything that’s not nylon.

 

You can get away with basic plastic triglides to adjust your slings length, but you absolutely do not want to cut corners on QD sockets and attachments. QD points need to be made to exacting specifications to ensure that the system will engage and disengage, but only when you want it to. 

 

Ill-fitting and improperly machined QD points mean that your gear has a higher possibility of failing. If the socket (female part) is too large, your sling can pop out. If it’s too small, your sling might not even fit in, or if it does, it could be too tight and not release easily.

 

Quality QD attachments feature smooth, reliable springs and ball bearings along with rock-solid construction. Ours have a smooth, glare-free black oxide finish and are made in the USA. We leave the cheap mystery imports to other companies.

 

Most prefer a two-point sling for its stability, comfort, and the ease with which you can get your rifle into action, but others like a single-point sling. Single-points are ideal when you know you’re about to engage a target or run a course. 

 

A full-time single-point sucks for marching. Your magazine or grip will invariably stab your back or other painful areas. But the best of both worlds can be had with a 2-to-1 triglide. This lets you carry your rig in two-point fashion, but when it’s time to take action, you can remove your front QD socket and stick it into this attachment point to create a single-point sling. It’s truly a great idea that increases your effectiveness and comfort.

Custom Sling Features

Usability is key with a sling. You’ll use it while standing, walking, running, and shooting/engaging targets. However, in all but standing, you’re going to need to adjust your sling on the fly. Being able to make quick, accurate adjustments to either solidify a shooting position or loosen your rifle up with your weak side is necessary for becoming competent with your gun.

 

Most cheap slings are very simple, which isn’t always a bad thing – you typically adjust it once it’s on and leave it that way. This doesn’t work for guns outside of hunting rifles that you sling over your shoulder on your way to the stand and then take off when you get there. 

 

You need to be able to take in or let out slack for several reasons. To name just a few: 

  1. To improve comfort and prevent chafing while wearing the sling.
  2. To better secure the rifle so that it doesn’t slip off your shoulder or move around too much while walking or running.
  3. To adjust for changes in body size, posture, or attire (e.g., taking clothing layers on and off while in the field).

 

Our slings use a proven, rock-solid, reliable, instant adjust tab that let you draw your sling in tight to climb a wall or fence, then release tension to give support and make a shot. The tab is sewn into the lower triglide (the one closest to your gun) and is the perfect size to grip and rip in an instant. This gives you on-the-spot adjustment to fit every need in all situations.

 

Getting into a nicer sling affords you more options to effectively match your gear. A lot of guys are using Multicam and Multicam Black for the plate carriers, and we’ve got loads of patterns that will match any setup. From classic Woodland Camo, aka God’s Plaid, to solid colors and a wild 80’s splatter pattern, we’ve got what you need to either blend in or stand out.

Wrap-Up

With a high-quality sling, you’ll see a better fit, a greater degree of simple adjustability, and more comfort (especially if you get a padded sling). Ultimately you get peace of mind knowing that this critical part of your kit isn’t going to fail.

 

Plus, you get more options for patterns and colors with a nice sling and will have even greater flexibility and capability than you would with a budget option. Cut corners somewhere else –  make sure you’ve got the best connection possible to your rifle with a good sling.

rifle sling attached to rifle

How to Choose the Correct Rifle Sling

 

When choosing a rifle sling, we believe that we have two options that will work the best for any shooter. At Flatline Fiber Co., we offer both a padded and standard rifle sling that will easily work with any rifle. Finding the right one might seem like the easiest decision in the world, but there is a lot of thought that should go into choosing the correct one.

 

Selecting the ideal rifle sling is essential to making sure you have all the necessary tools for success. Opt for a sling that best coordinates with your desired comfort, as well as its intended use. Consider factors such as mounting and adjustment capabilities, attachment points, the purpose of use, stowing potentiality, and overall ease of use when deciding which one meets your needs best.

 

By highlighting the unique features of our USA-made standard and padded rifle slings, we’ll be able to provide you with an extensive understanding of their characteristics. We will also analyze each sling’s attaching and stowage opportunities in order to give you a comprehensive overview.

 

In carefully assessing all of these factors, you can be sure to make the best judgment for your rifle, shooting style, and tactical needs. We are confident that either choice will not leave you disappointed when it comes to choosing a top-notch sling!

 

Standard Rifle Sling

standard rifle sling in camo

The standard rifle sling is for the true minimalist at heart. This is for individuals that want a simple, easy-to-use, and easily manipulated sling for their semi-automatic rifle. The standard rifle sling is simple but extremely adjustable for the style and use of the shooter. This nylon sling is made with high quality materials and comes with a lifetime warranty.

 

The standard rifle sling features a one-inch nylon webbing design that provides its durability while also coming in 11 different color schemes to give a more personalized look to any rifle. It has an ITW ladder lock with a pull tab that makes adjusting the sling a breeze. The standard sling comes open-ended so that the user can attach any type of equipment needed for mounting the sling to the rifle they desire. 

 

Finally, it offers a longer length for that initial fit. When finish-fit for the needs of the shooter, the excess length can be stowed away with the provided tri-glides.

 

Our standard rifle sling has a great low profile look that allows the user to free flow the usability of their firearm between neck-less use and freehand use. The sling can be fit on the rifle in a variety of ways that allow the user to personalize their setup for their needs. It even works with rifles with folding stocks!

 

The standard rifle sling can be mounted and stored on the rifle. This makes it easy to store in a case, gun safe, or in any location where the firearm needs to be accessed quickly without being burdensome. If you have a full gun safe and dislike the extra time it takes to put slings on all your rifles, the standard rifle sling is a perfect fit for stowing a rifle without the worry of the sling getting caught or tangled up with other guns in the safe.

 

The standard sling is best used for short-term outings of maybe an hour or two. With its minimalist design, it is meant to be versatile and used in a manner of short-term service. It can be used for long days at the range or during long instructional days, but after a long day, the user will start to feel and notice the sling more than with our padded rifle sling.

 

This sling is recommended for those that want the minimalist features that it offers, who want easy stowability, and shooters that like the flexibility of using between the sling or using their firearm free hand without having to remove the sling at all. At $50 for a lifetime warrantied sling, it’s hard to beat the adjustability, versatility, and durability that the standard rifle sling offers.

 

Padded Rifle Sling

padded rifle sling in camo

The padded rifle sling from Flatline Fiber Co. is a great sling for those looking for versatility in the field while also adding comfort to the feel of their sling on long days. While the padded rifle sling might add more material than the standard rifle sling, minimalists will still find it very useful for their needs while adding some comfort for those long days in the field or at the range for training. 

 

The padded rifle sling features a one-inch nylon webbing design along with a 1.5-inch 500D Cordura wrapped pad for added user comfort. It comes in a wide range of colors that allows for numerous options of looks and color schemes for that personalized touch to any rifle.

 

It also comes with an ITW ladder lock with a pull tab that makes adjusting the sling free and easy. The padded sling comes open-ended so the user can attach any type of equipment needed for mounting the sling to the rifle. 

 

Finally, it offers a longer length for that initial fit so that the user can find the perfect fit without running out of sling. When finally fit for the needs of the shooter, the excess length can be easily stowed away with the provided tri-glides. In many ways, it has all the perks of the standard rifle sling with the added comfort of a pad for those long days of use.

 

The padded rifle sling is great for those users looking for an all-day type of comfort. It offers good load distribution through the pad and sling, which makes it great for heavier rifles. This is also the go-to sling for those that are going to be wearing and carrying their rifle with them for long periods.

 

This sling is great for those long days at the range or during training sessions where instruction is the main focus. The padded rifle sling will let you focus on the training instead of worrying about a sling that is digging into your shoulder and neck while taking instruction. 

 

The padded rifle sling might not be as sleek as the standard rifle sling, but it is still sleek enough to not be gaudy. We recommend not storing this sling in the case with your rifle. Folding it could change the feel of the padded area. It is still sleek and stowable enough to leave on the rifle when storing it in a gun safe. 

 

Finally, with all the color options available with this sling and the easy on the eyes design, the padded rifle sling will add the functional piece of flare that every rifle owner is looking for in an accessory. With a $64 price tag and a lifetime warranty, the padded rifle sling is the way to go for those looking for functionality with comfort.

Applications and Use Cases of Rifle Slings

Hunting

When carrying a hunting rifle, you want a comfortable sling that will allow for easy gun maneuverability and the ability to aim quickly. A two point sling with padding is great for hunters because it reduces fatigue through its wide grip and helps make aiming easier by distributing weight evenly across your body. It provides support, stability, and security when traversing rough terrain or standing for long periods of time.

Competitive Shooting

Competitive shooters will benefit most from the standard rifle sling due to its adjustable length and secure fit. With a quick-detach feature and a non-slip design, this sling provides the perfect balance between comfort and stability for those who take part in competitions. Its lightweight construction also helps to ensure that you’re never weighed down by your weapon when taking aim.

Tactical Shooting

Our padded rifle sling is the ideal choice for tactical applications as it provides more cushioning and an ergonomic design. It’s adjustable, so you can find the perfect length, and the wide grip helps to evenly distribute weight for maximum comfort. The padded design also allows shooters to quickly switch shoulders when needed. Additionally, it can be used with a variety of tactical accessories for added convenience and flexibility in the field.

Military and Law Enforcement

The standard rifle sling is the perfect choice for military and law enforcement personnel. Its adjustable length allows you to quickly switch between firing positions, while its secure fit ensures that your weapon stays in place even during intense situations. Additionally, the quick-detach feature lets you remove your weapon with ease when needed. The non-slip construction ensures that your weapon won’t slip or slide while you’re in action.

Use with Body Armor

For those wearing body armor, a padded rifle sling is the best choice. Its ergonomic design helps to evenly distribute weight and reduce fatigue while also providing superior comfort when firing. Additionally, it can be used with a variety of tactical accessories for added mobility in the field.

Mounting and Adjusting

One of the most important things about a sling is how to mount them on a rifle. Sometimes, depending on the attachment style and mounting hardware that comes on a rifle sling, the style and type of rifle sling that can be used are limited. Both the Flatline Fiber Co. standard and padded rifle slings can be adapted to any type of attachment or mounting hardware that is needed.

Mounting Points

Single Point

Single point slings are some of the most popular sling types and can be used with a variety of attachment points. Our standard rifle sling comes with an adapter that will fit any type of single point mount, but our padded rifle sling is designed to work best with the mounting hardware already on your rifle.

Two Point

Two point slings are a great option for those who want more stability and support. The Flatline Fiber standard rifle sling comes with two different attachment points, one on each end, which allows you to adjust the length of the sling depending on how you need it.

Three Point

Three point slings are designed to provide the most stability and support of any sling type. However they can be cumbersome and difficult to adjust properly. The Flatline Fiber standard rifle sling comes with a three point adapter that can be attached to any compatible mount, while the padded rifle sling has adjustable straps that make it easy to adjust the length and tension of the sling.

Mounting Functionality

We highly suggest the use of quick detach hardware that makes attaching and removing the slings quick and easy. The Flatline Fiber Co. offers QD (quick-detach) swivels that can be added to the sling along with QD MLOK mounts that work with MlLOK capable hand guards. These are inexpensive, easy to install, and make using the sling or going without a sling super simple and quick.

 

These slings are also highly adjustable to allow each user to mount and fit the sling to their needs. We make them comfortable and customized to the needs of the shooter. With an adequate amount of sling length available, they can be adjusted in just about any way someone can think of.

 

We highly suggest that you try multiple ways of mounting and adjusting your sling to make sure that you get the most comfortable fit. The last thing that should be on your mind is your sling when in a shooting situation. At Flatline Fiber Co. we make our slings so you don’t have to worry about mounting or adjustment limitations.

Stowability

Stowing your sling is a very important aspect of running your equipment with a sling. There are several ways to stow your firearm. We want to touch on each one of them and how it relates to your sling choice.

In a Safe

The first stowing location is the gun safe. Some like to stow their rifles with the sling attached and some do not. Both the standard and padded rifle slings from Flatline Fiber Co. will easily fit into a gun safe without causing mass confusion and entanglement due to their sleek design and minimalist features. They can also be equipped with QD sling attachments that make it easy to take them off and stow.

In a Gun Case for Transport

The next stowing location is going to be in a gun case to transport the rifle from place to place for use. Depending on the type of case being used, slings can become burdensome and need to be removed before going into a case. 

 

If you have your firearm in a case frequently, choosing the standard rifle sling will be the best choice. It can be folded up and held in place with a rifle band to keep the sling nice and compact. The padded rifle sling can use the same setup, but the added material of the padded area can make stowing the rifle in a case with it attached a bit difficult. 

Self Defense Positions

Finally, some may stow their rifle in a self-defense position in several different areas, but those areas are oftentimes small, compact, and maybe even out of sight. Having a quick, deployable rifle sling that is easy to stow is a huge must in this situation. Both of the Flatline Fiber Co. rifle slings will fit this mold. Many may opt for the sleeker profile and minimalist design of the standard rifle sling.

 

Whichever route is chosen, make sure the sling chosen stows away in a way that works best for you.

Making A Decision

rifle sling attached to rifle

Deciding on a sling might be difficult with the multitude of options out there on the market. At Flatline Fiber Co. we keep it simple while still offering adjustability and durability. With two options, the standard and padded rifle slings offer more than enough versatility for any shooter and their rifle. 

 

If you are about sleek designs and very simple but highly functional slings, the standard rifle sling is the way to go for any rifle.

 

If you want more comfort for those long days at the range or in the field without bulkiness, the padded rifle sling is more for you.

 

Either way, both slings come open-ended. This allows for any attachment style, making it highly adjustable for any shooter. You get to choose your attachment style, and the Flatline Fiber Co. slings will adapt. 

 

Whatever your choice is, we believe that you can’t go wrong with either one of our rifle slings. No matter what type of rifle you use, what type of shooting you do, or how you store your rifle we have you covered. So grab the Flatline Fiber Co. rifle sling of your choice and be 100% confident that you chose a high-quality USA-made product that fits your needs in any situation.

Straps on a pistol

5 of Our Favorite Pistol Braces

The popularity of pistol braces has slowly been on the rise since its inception in 2012 when the idea was thought of by SB Tactical’s Alex Bosco. They then became a reality and came to market. Pistol braces may not have even crossed the mind of many pistol shooters, but they can have a ton of benefits for shooters of all different walks of life. They help create a better base of stability for shooters.

Here, we will be covering and ranking our five favorite pistol braces that shooters should consider for additional stability when shooting their favorite pistol. We will be looking at pistol braces that offer the best stability, comfort, and affordability for the user along with other features of each of our choices.

Before we jump into our list, let’s look at what a pistol brace is and what it does for those that might be new to the world of pistol braces.

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How to Carry an AR15 With a Sling

Are you getting tired of carrying your AR15 in your hands? Have you ever wanted to have quick access to your rifle while working on something else? What about switching between your AR and pistol while at the range? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need a sling for your AR15!
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Best Rifle Sling for Mountain Hunting

As more and more hunters venture into the mountains in pursuit of large game animals, there is an ever-evolving list of equipment and tools that make that journey with them. Some pieces of equipment get overlooked or are just simply part of the hunting process already, but when taking to the mountains, every aspect should be investigated to ensure the right equipment is making the trip. This includes the sling attached to your hunting rifle.
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How to Wear a Rifle Sling

A rifle sling is an essential piece of equipment for any rifle user, even if it does seem like a minuscule component of your setup. It is imperative to have the right sling and be comfortable with wearing it. However, there are a lot of different types and styles of rifle slings out there to choose from.
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