November 10, 2013, 08:27 PM | #1 |
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Rifle Sling - Paracord
I've been searching for a new rifle sling and I keep going back to paracord. A few of my survivalist buddies swear by paracord and I've always considered the idea.
With each sling being made up of a lot of this stuff (I've heard 75ft) I can see the advantages if for any reason you needed some strong rope. What do you guys think of this one? It's made by a US wounded/retired veteran and I really like the look. http://www.gmc4x4.com/store/product/...d-rifle-sling/ |
November 10, 2013, 08:36 PM | #2 |
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You didn't mention what type rifle and the purpose of said rifle.
The type of sling I use for training (moving and shooting in a carbine course) isn't the same that I might use for shooting prone. That being said, I prefer the regular old Viking tactical sling for most things. It is so easy to adjust one handed while moving. I have the wide version for my 12 gauge semi-auto. edit: If you feel the need for having paracord with you, one word....SUSPENDERS! |
November 10, 2013, 08:36 PM | #3 |
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Those look pretty nice, but I would suggest trying to make your own. There are YouTube videos showing you how. You can usually find the paracord for 8 to 10 for 100 foot bundles. I find it rewarding and relaxing to make such things.
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November 10, 2013, 08:55 PM | #4 |
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It will go on a AR platform most likely, maybe a bolt action.
I like the idea of knowing how to make one myself...but I honestly have no interest buying all the materials and then spending hours building one. But I can see how it could be relaxing. Also, if I buy US paracord and US hardware, the savings is minor after everything is shipped. I'm just personally tired of all the foreign made junk just to save a few bucks. My big interest in this particular sling is that it's veteran made. I found a few cheaper ones (most had Chinese paracord) but this one is at the top just b/c of who is making it. However, I am considering asking if he can make me a three point sling. But I have no experience with those other then watching others use them. Anyone use a three point on an AR? If I get a second for the bolt action, I'll probably just get the standard sling. |
November 11, 2013, 05:31 AM | #5 | |
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November 11, 2013, 07:03 AM | #6 |
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3 point slings are great for carrying an AR. They kinda suck for actually shooting an AR.
Paracord carrying straps work, often our SAW and 240 gunners make their own slings from 550 cord for carrying the machine guns. For an actaul shooting sling, not just a carrying strap, an old olive drab M1 cotton web sling is a great place to start. http://www.m1garand.com/store/m14_m1...ton_sling.html I use one of these for my AR-15 service rifle. Jimro
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November 11, 2013, 08:40 AM | #7 |
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Personally, Id just get a good purpose made sling, and skip the paracord.
Having gone down the "conversion kit" and "one thing does ten" routes before, and found that, while those things may actually do everything they say, they usually dont do any of them well, or close to what a purpose made version of each use. If you really ever did need to unravel the sling to use the paracord for another use, what do you do with the now slingless gun? Then again, if you like the sling, go for it. Id still just carry a braid of para cord if I really felt the need. A good sling is as necessary as the ammo in the mag. |
November 12, 2013, 11:11 AM | #8 |
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Carrying a gun without the sling is no big deal - shooting off hand, having a sling tightly stretched from a barrel lug tends to throw off the sights anyway. It's the whole point of a free float job.
We were instructed and monitored to remove them for field use in the Infantry in the day - they were noisy and tangled up with our web gear and brush we moved thru. Not tactical. In a low intensity conflict situation doing urban patrol and police work slings have a purpose - to hold the weapon for you when your hands are busy doing something else, like searching detainees. They are nice to have walking into and out of the woods deer hunting before and after shooting hours. Overall, tho, unless its Olympic grade target shooting, slings aren't that much help for the three second rush crowd. You don't want or need one going thru actual barb wire. They are for situations less than full out combat - a lot of what the Army does now - especially with the average soldier who rarely sees the range. A paracord sling? The point is that you may - not "might" - need it for survival purposes, and you are so loaded down with gear a real sling was sacrificed to let you carry a whole lot of paracord. And when you need it, you must unravel it, which means no sling, and usually, a lot of smaller pieces of cord because it all got cut up for various tasks. So, the reality is the average paracord sling, belt, bracelet, or whatever is just tactical jewelry for most. It's not really needed, and in a lot of cases, a compromised choice. Frankly, I'm glad I avoided the whole fad. I put some on a boonie hat ten years ago, and that's that. It's there if I ever bother to need it, I have to actually want to be seen in a tactical Crocodile Dundee poser cap. I mostly wear it weed eating in the summer, because the cord holds more water. And when it does finally get dry, it stinks more, too. Paracord isn't immune to bacteria feasting on whatever else gets soaked into it. If some gunners in a unit are trying it, ok. Young guys with less than two hitches under their belt need to experiment and find out why some things don't work. I did, and that's why it might be better to reconsider. Paracord isn't all that, most of it isn't jump rated, it's just a offshore import, and anything other than OD with a tracer is likely fake, too. It's nice to keep a pocket knife or gear attached to you if you are in heavy brush or close confines. Making other things out of it, tho, not so much. |
November 13, 2013, 09:46 PM | #9 |
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Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate the info.
With the paracord sling, it seems pretty easy to unravel and utilize. Then I can save a few feet and retie a single line for a sling. In a small bag, carrying 75' of paracord takes up a bit of space. I'm going to give this one a try and see how it works out. In the end if I prefer a traditional rifle sling, at least my $$ went to a company I'm proud to support. I'll post up pictures and impressions after I use it. |
November 14, 2013, 05:28 PM | #10 |
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It sounds like a no brainer.
A good sling and a good cause.
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November 15, 2013, 01:32 PM | #11 |
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G. Willikers I agree.
I went ahead and placed the order. I received a nice email from the owner to confirm all my details and they are going to include mine in the upcoming run. With veteran's day this past 11th, I'm glad my money is going towards a good cause and I'll receive a well made product in exchange. |
November 17, 2013, 09:14 PM | #12 |
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I just made one of these and it cost me $6.99 for the cord and about 2 hours of making it while i sat in front of TV wtching a movie. I havent had a chance to shoot withit yet but i like that it is unique and i made it myself.
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November 18, 2013, 08:45 AM | #13 |
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$6.99??
The only way you made this for $6.99 was using the cheapest China products you could find, zip ties for connectors and you walked to the store to buy it US made connectors cost at least double that, then throw in US mil-spec paracord and it's not even close. I priced this out before I ordered it b/c I considered making it myself. |
November 18, 2013, 09:44 AM | #14 |
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It said made in USA, but maybe your right but it still looks bitchin! And i already had the connectors. They do run about $15 a set.
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November 18, 2013, 11:56 AM | #15 |
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Paracord is really useful especially if you hunt. I have one on my hunting shotgun Remington 870 and also one around my wrist as a bracelet.
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November 21, 2013, 03:28 AM | #16 | |
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As for the sling, if it doesn't work on the AR, i'm sure you can find a shotgun or hunting rifle to throw it on. Your money went to a good cause, so you can always just consider it a donation if the sling doesn't work out.
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November 21, 2013, 04:39 AM | #17 |
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I got a roll of probably 1000 feet of paracord, maybe more, for about a dollar at a garage sale.
Retail, you could probably get a pile of it for a few bucks. Seems extremely expensive at $40+ for 75 feet of paracord. And then you'd be sacrificing your sling. I'm imagining a situation where you are in such a dire situation where you don't want to have the opportunity to sling your rifle anymore because you used your paracord to make a tent or hang your clothes to dry... I would not do it. Get a nice sling. Carry a bag, and stuff a wad of paracord in it. |
November 21, 2013, 04:56 PM | #18 |
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I've made several of the Paracord slings in the past few weeks. A buddy and I got to watching videos one day and decided to make one. I really like them as they seem to grip a little better on your shoulder than a plain nylon strap. To make up to 34" sling you can easily do it with 50 feet of cord available in just about any color you want, I've used white (cause I had a bunch), black, camo, orange, and neon green for my wife's rifle. I don't like the fact that it is non-adjustable. $7 will buy 100 feet of cord (enough for two slings), QD swivels are about $12 a set. First time making it takes a while, now I can make one in about an hour and 2 blisters if I forget to take my gloves. And unraveling them should you need the cord is doable but a major Pain it the @#$, I made one too short and unraveled it, was worse than making it to start with. On my AR I think I'll roll up some extra cord and put in the the stock, that way if I need it (can't think of a reason I would but it is handy) and not have to sacrifice my sling.
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November 22, 2013, 03:18 PM | #19 | |
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November 23, 2013, 10:44 AM | #20 |
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I saw a weave pattern online that will come undone in a few seconds with a properally placed cut in the weave. I just didnt like the look of that weave. I do like the looks of the weave i did. And that is the main reason i went with the paracord sling is they are what i want.
Do i plan on ever "needing" the cord? No. Do i ever plan on using the cord? No. I carry some utility rope with me in my pack. Is using the cord in an emergency an option? Yes. Is it what i want and does it look bitchin? YES. Was it cheap and fun to make? Yes. Will i replace every sling in my gun cabinet with a new paracord sling? No. So basically wah i'm saying is I like the way they look and work so i will use them. Did i make it just so i could have back up paracord for an emergency no. I tried to post pic but apparently am not smart enough to figuer out how to do it from my ipad. |
November 23, 2013, 01:43 PM | #21 |
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There was an old time gun writer who used to say, "A sling is a device used to support the gun in rifle competitions. Everything else is just a "carry strap." Something made from para-cord is of the latter type. We should be calling it a carrying strap, not a "sling."
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November 23, 2013, 05:08 PM | #22 |
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Made the right length a paracord sling works just as well to run your arm through/around and steady the shot, my wife and I both use it that way. Otherwise I'm pretty much with hbhobby on them, like them, had fun making them, don't plant to ever un-ravel one to use in a survival situation, but I guess I could if I run out of the many pieces of cord I have stashed in just about every possible location and pocket.
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November 23, 2013, 05:18 PM | #23 | |
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November 23, 2013, 09:41 PM | #24 |
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Why on earth would I expect to see a paracord sling at a high power competition, I also wouldn't expect to see cheap bargain basement ammo, or a $20 spotting scope.. Be that as it may just because someone doesn't compete with it doesn't make it not useful for improving accuracy when shooting. I know guys who would say a sling is something you use with a crane to lift loads with, doesn't mean anything one way or the other. I'll happily call it a para-cord carry strap if you wish, won't bother me a bit, nor will it change the usefulness of the carry strap for general duty shooting when used as a "hasty sling".. YMMV
Last edited by Panfisher; November 23, 2013 at 09:55 PM. |
December 27, 2013, 09:25 PM | #25 |
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I got the sling and it is great!!
The quality is incredible and my money went to a good cause. I strapped it on to a rifle and it worked as I expected it to. Nothing more, nothing less...a simple sling/strap/etc to do what I wanted it to. I think it would be easy to make the case for different types of straps, slings, etc based on our own personal preferences. But for me, I like this one and it was made by a wounded combat vet. Which IMO, enhances the value and when people ask me where I got it, I have a great story. Just my $0.02 |
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