rifle sling

[LuisPaulo]

A customer asked me to make a rifle sling. It seems not too complicated, but, as I never do one, I worried about to make mistakes.

So, any help will be very welcome..

[Billsotx]

If you're making a military sling that'll be used for position shooting you might find out the distance between his sling swivels. Hardware for same is available thru Brownells. I wouldn't use those funky brass frogs you find at these leather craft places. If you're making a carry strap, what most people refer to as a sling it's pretty open as to the hardware you can use. I've seen some that are just tied. Chicago screws seem to be the most common way to attach them and I always recommend thread locker be applied after the swivels are threaded. On my personal rifles I anchor the front of the strap to the swivel with two Chicago screws and blue lock-tite the threads and then use a Conway buckle on the butt end. With QD swivels that allows me to loop up if I want and I can remove the sling quickly if need be. I don't care for those Cobra shaped slings, but I have one and if I use it I put that wide flared part, that most folks think of as the top or front, at the butt. I almost always carry my rifles muzzle down as that's compatible with wearing a handgun on the strong side hip which I've done for more that 40 years now. What you have to remember when you sling up muzzle down, if you bend over, lift the muzzle and maintain control of it so that you don't muzzle the rest of the planet. About the only time I sling muzzle up is a scramble carry when I'm climbing or descending with both hands or carrying something or someone in both hands, but it's a good idea to have that position marked on your sling so you can adjust to that length without trial and error. Those situations don't generally lend themselves to piddling around. Whatever you do use good hardware. I wish I had a dollar for every rifle and shotgun I saw hit the deck because the student brought a cheesy sling to class and didn't listen when it was suggested that they beef it up with some hundred-mile-an-hour tape. The air force does use millions of miles of that stuff for naught. Looks like heck but it can get you thru a tight spot. Sorry to ramble but you got my perspective for what it's worth - that an a buck twenty-five'll get you a cup of joe ... lol! Let us know how it goes or better yet post us a photo of what you do. Buenas suerte amigo!

[LuisPaulo]

Thanks Bill

Your advises will be very helpful in my job.

[BruceGibson]

Hi, Luis!

Welcome to the forum. I made a rifle sling a few months ago. It's nothing fancy, but if you'd like to take a look you may find a few things that would work for you...or maybe a few things to avoid.

Here's a link: http://gibsonprorodeo.com/SLING.htm

[LuisPaulo]

It looks fancy to me Bruce !!!!

Very beautiful belts, too.

[DCKNIVES]

Luis,, I have done a few.Here is one done with a Faux snakeskin pattern with a stock cover.Dave

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/DCK...pg?t=1191624920

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/DCK...pg?t=1191625225

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/DCK...pg?t=1191625294

[Jordan]

Very nice work, love the colors and tooling

[LuisPaulo]

Amazing pattern DC. Do you made this with a mule's foot tool ?

On the point of the sling, is a rivert or a button ?

Thanks !!!

[DCKNIVES]

Thanks Jordan and Luis. Luis , the pattern was tooled with a stamp similar to the "mulefoot", but a "mulefoot" could be used.Sandy Morrissey taught me this and made me the stamp.The hardware used was "Chicago Screws".Have a go at it, its a fun pattern and I am always getting asked what kind of snake it is. Good Luck .Dave

[emsmiata]

I'm making a sling for my dad for christmas, but unfortunately I'm not close enough to home to be able to scope out his existing ones for reference. DC, I quite like the style of yours. I'm curious about the rough dimensions you've used, mostly for the main panel itself. It's my first start to finish leather project.. I'm nervous but am confident I'll make it work out. I've started making a pair of batwing chaps for myself but won't finish them until the new year.

Thanks for your help and photographs.

[particle]

For what it's worth, you can pick up a really cheap sling for sizing reference. You might even be able to use the hardware from it, assuming it uses Chicago screws. Here is a sling that's on my Marlin 1894C .357 Magnum lever gun. It's very comfortable - I love the grip the suede provides. The wide portion has suede lining on both sides. The skinny belt portion is a single heavy layer - the end where it widens is skived down, and is sandwiched between the end of the wide portion, and sewn together. The hardware is brass Chicago screws - one on each end of the sling. The keeper is riveted with two tiny brass rivets.