Sling Discussions

[Vicarious_Lee]

Dave, thank you so much for covering the +/-'s of the different sling attachment points. Pics and explanations are awesome.

Have a VTAC, I like it, but after using it for a bit, I found I liked Kutter's VCAS style better. The Ares just looks like a better VCAS to me. I'd swap it, but I think the VTAC worked great on my hunting rig this last year so it stays.

I hope that LAPG sticks around until next week, as I really want a black Ares - money's just getting super tight lately.


NXP

I have a VTAC and a VCAS and I much prefer the VCAS because it's just one thing to grab instead of two different ones. I just got my Ares Armor, but I think your assessment is the same as mine: It's basically a VCAS that's pretty much better in every way.

[crypto]

I have a VTAC and a VCAS and I much prefer the VCAS because it's just one thing to grab instead of two different ones. I just got my Ares Armor, but I think your assessment is the same as mine: It's basically a VCAS that's pretty much better in every way.

Agreed wholeheartedly. After the horrible webbing on the VCAS rubbed all the skin off my neck one weekend, I bought a VTAC. However, I never liked the VTAC's operation as much as the VCAS. That fucking metal clip up in my armpit to release the sling tension is not a good idea.

Ive got 2 Amentum Huskey slings on the way from Ares now.

[AKFTW]

The first thing I did to my VTAC after trying it out at the range was to replace the cord on the release buckle with a paracord loop twice as long. This has made it MUCH easier to grab when in a tightened up shooting position or with heavy clothing on.

[Dave_M]

I have a VTAC and a VCAS and I much prefer the VCAS because it's just one thing to grab instead of two different ones. I just got my Ares Armor, but I think your assessment is the same as mine: It's basically a VCAS that's pretty much better in every way.

Agreed wholeheartedly. After the horrible webbing on the VCAS rubbed all the skin off my neck one weekend, I bought a VTAC. However, I never liked the VTAC's operation as much as the VCAS. That fucking metal clip up in my armpit to release the sling tension is not a good idea.

Ive got 2 Amentum Huskey slings on the way from Ares now.

I can't express how much I dislike the VCAS webbing. A collared polo helps tremendously. However, from the outset I've preferred the VTAC by far (it was the first one I used, haha). The Ares beats them both IMO.

[Domino]

Haven't used the Ares but I think the VTAC is a solid sling and I have more or less gotten the hang of it. For the money (~$30) I think its probably one of the better slings out there. FWIW. I prefer to mount my sling on the FSB and rear slotted portion of the 6 position stock

[UndeadInfidel]

I picked up two of the Ares slings on that $29 deal that was posted last week. Looking forward to getting them in the mail and running them on my ARs.

This thread also inspired me to get a proper rear sling setup for my old m93b stock, as it didn't come with the QD plates and Magpul has since discontinued them. I called Ergo and ordered the rear QD plates of the Ergo f93 stock in hopes they'd retrofit to the M93b (the mounting holes look the exact same in pics). It was kind of a pain to get through and special order them from Ergo, but the deal is done.

[fungusmunkey]

On another off point I wish the hunting community would press manufacturers to set up hunting rifles like bolt actions with side mounts for them. I really don't see the point to the traditional sling placement under the gun.

Because that's how it's always been done, so why change a non-tactical rifle to meet that standard? I agree with you, but I doubt it's something that will change until enough consumers make the mods themselves. Lots of benefits to it in the hunting world, but not enough demand.

Indeed. My hunting rifles are a Howa 308 with a traditional sling placement and a AR-15 in 6.5 with a modern sling. The AR is a pound or two heavier but since I can put it around my body the weight is dispersed and it's much easier to carry.

+1

I am currently trying to figure out how to mount a vtac on a standard scoped hunting rifle with the traditionally placed sling swivels.

Looks like for the rear I am going to have to drill the stock and possibly epoxy a mount point (synthetic stock). Not sure what to do for the front though. I should probably start a thread asking what others have done.

[Maxfield]

I didn't suggest staying away from QD--I just want people to know the potential drawbacks. I have several rifles with QD setups. I currently own every variation I talked about in some form or another.

Food for thought: Yes, I dislike FASTEX buckles because they can be broken. However, this is a double-edged sword (if your sling gets snagged on something, it will break instead of snagging you completely). I am working on a new solution.

ETA: I neglected to mention Hk snap-hooks and also Mash-hooks. When I have some more time I'll talk about them further.

Did you ever talk about snap/mash hooks? I'm trying to figure out how I want to mount an Ares to an moe handguard and this: http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG504/51 combined with a mash hook seems like a very simple and sturdy set up (which is what I'm trying for with this AR). Though I also need to mount a light and this looks like it might interfere. Maybe I should just get a UWL and skip the mash hook? That would be simpler, but the UWl doesn't seem as sturdy. Is that the case? Thanks!

[TheLastOne]

I didn't suggest staying away from QD--I just want people to know the potential drawbacks. I have several rifles with QD setups. I currently own every variation I talked about in some form or another.

Food for thought: Yes, I dislike FASTEX buckles because they can be broken. However, this is a double-edged sword (if your sling gets snagged on something, it will break instead of snagging you completely). I am working on a new solution.

ETA: I neglected to mention Hk snap-hooks and also Mash-hooks. When I have some more time I'll talk about them further.

Did you ever talk about snap/mash hooks? I'm trying to figure out how I want to mount an Ares to an moe handguard and this: http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG504/51 combined with a mash hook seems like a very simple and sturdy set up (which is what I'm trying for with this AR). Though I also need to mount a light and this looks like it might interfere. Maybe I should just get a UWL and skip the mash hook? That would be simpler, but the UWl doesn't seem as sturdy. Is that the case? Thanks!

First, lose the political avatar

Second, buy one of these and a quick detatch mount

The one on the left
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/ind ... gory_id=94

and you are good to go with a light mount, and a qd point for your sling in the proper location

like this

[Maxfield]

First, lose the political avatar

Second, buy one of these and a quick detatch mount


The one on the left
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/ind ... gory_id=94

and you are good to go with a light mount, and a qd point for your sling in the proper location

Sorry about the avatar, I haven't been on here in long time.

The FSB base rail section was my first thought as that seems pretty popular, but I want to keep things as simple as possible (i.e. mount an attachment point directly instead of mounting a chunk of rail and then an attachment point on the rail).

[TheLastOne]

ah cool. I went with the fsb mount because I just don't have much room for my hands with the carbine length handguards as you can see in my pic. I tried right-side mounting the light and that didn't work for ME (ymmv) and having a short bit of rail on the left to mount a qd sling point. I like my hand right where that mount would be.

If the fsb isn't your thing, Dave uses one of these on one of his rifles, and I've seen others use one of these puppies

http://www.amazon.com/FORCE-UNIVERSAL-W ... B002HS6PAM
(there are two sizes)

and it just loops around your barrel and negates any need to dick with the handguards, which might suit you too. I don't have any first hand experience with these, so others may want to comment

[AKFTW]

ah cool. I went with the fsb mount because I just don't have much room for my hands with the carbine length handguards. I tried right-side mounting the light and that didn't work for ME (ymmv) and having a short bit of rail on the left to mount a qd sling point. I like my hand right where that mount would be.

If the fsb isn't your thing, Dave uses one of these on one of his rifles, and I've seen others use one of these puppies

http://www.amazon.com/FORCE-UNIVERSAL-W ... B002HS6PAM
(there are two sizes)

and it just loops around your barrel and negates any need to dick with the handguards, which might suit you too. I don't have any first hand experience with these, so others may want to comment

I use that to attach my VTAC sling to my AK front sling mount. Definitely nice, but I also use the leather tab off an SKS sling on my other VTAC and that works fine too.

[Maxfield]

Yeah, the UWL seems like the simplest option. Also, I probably should have specified that I have a midlength, so hand guard space isn't as much of an issue. I have no experience with weapon lights so I don't know if right side (actually left for me since I shoot left handed) would work for me, though that would eliminate the light getting in the way of an MSA. Mounting the light on the left side (right for me) looks like the best place though. Would the UWL get in the way of scoutmount (like this: http://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/smc-m300a-m600c-scout-light-mount-n-slot/ or the plastic magpul one) if they were mounted on the same side?

[Maxfield]

What are the dimensions of the attachment points on the Ares? 1" or 1.25"?

[TheLastOne]

What are the dimensions of the attachment points on the Ares? 1" or 1.25"?

one inch sir

[Maxfield]

Thanks!

[mk_ultra]

I used a Colt side sling mount(203) on my midlength . Does not interfere with my light on a piece of rail with a VTAC mount .

[Dave_M]

My girlfriend's AR is a middy and has a UWL (short length, which BTW, I would have thought it was impossible to mount under the FSB if I didn't see pics of it). Light mount is an Vltor on a MI FSB mount and no interference.

I don't think the UWL will be a problem with the Mount n' Slot.

[jeepinbandtrider]

I've got an older version of this one setup kinda like in the picture they show. I do find myself using my single point more often than it though.

http://www.redi-mag.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=26

I've had that 2-point for years.

I do have a hard time doing rifle PT and running with the rifle and keeping the sling from falling off my right shoulder. Other than that it's great for hiking and what not and quick transitions.



I have it setup like in the picture mostly. Mine does have the Kevlar front strap to protect against heat.

[Jeriah]

So, I've got a VTAC that was the top-of-the-heap at the time; it does strangle me when I transition to weak side but I may be able to play with the rear attachment point, that or just let out the slack before I transition.

But let's say that I'm buying a new sling; sounds like the ARES is the cat's vagina right now. Why? Is there any way to describe what's better about it, or do I just need to buy one and find out that way? (I plan on buying one, eventually, but in the meantime I'm still curious.)

Also, if I buy an Ares, and I already have a VTAC, and one is for an AR (M4 stock, UWL up front), and the other is for an AK (wood stock, sling swivel low on the left side, like this: http://i47.tinypic.com/29dg2vq.jpg), would one be better on one rifle or the other? Or is it just, put the Ares on the one you use most because it's better?

[TheLastOne]

Well I don't know about one rifle over the other, but I will tell you why I like the Ares better than the vtac.

1st) Material. The ares is a smoother feeling fabric, and it is padded where you need it. My vtac was not smooth, nor padded, and just practicing transitions in my house left a pretty nice red mark. 3 days milcopp with ares, no redmark. Plus it comes in gucci flavors of atacs, which is just cool.

2nd) the loosener deal. That little loop up front makes life way easy. It's one of those things that you try and then wonder why the fuck aren't all things like this? It is fast and easy to tighten and loosen one handed. Great for cinching up for extra support while shooting, quick to loosen to transition.

General points: I'm pretty sure it's lighter than the vtac, but don't quote me. The vtac felt like a damn seatbelt compared to the ares to me. My ares is fraying at the ends. I just need to re-cut them and do a better melt job than the factory did. Not a deal breaker for me, but something I should share if we're talking shop. I dunno what else to add, but if I get another rifle, I'm getting another ares. Ymmv, but hope that gives at least one perspective.

[Redeyes]

My girlfriend's AR is a middy and has a UWL (short length, which BTW, I would have thought it was impossible to mount under the FSB if I didn't see pics of it). Light mount is an Vltor on a MI FSB mount and no interference.

I don't think the UWL will be a problem with the Mount n' Slot.

I have the Mount n' Slot and short UWL setup. It is working well with my Ares sling. When I tighten up the sling with the thumb loop my thumb comes to rest on the tailcap button of my flashlight. I have my UWL wrapped around the little bar directly above the barrel in the front sight triangle.

[Maxfield]

I used a Colt side sling mount(203) on my midlength . Does not interfere with my light on a piece of rail with a VTAC mount .

I was thinking that the UWL/sling would ride up behind the little wing things on the MOE handguards, especially if it was a long one, instead of laying flat like the sling above. Also, the IWC mount places the light lower (and seemingly more likely to be in the way of a UWL) than the VTAC mount does.

But, if this picture from the "Help me build my AR" thread is the rifle Dave is talking about here, then it sounds like he hasn't encountered the these issues (though the MI FSB mount does put the light quite a bit farther forward than the IWC mount).

When I saw pictures of the UWL by itself I pictured it being used on the hypotenuse of the FSB, which seemed like a crappy place to mount a sling. After seeing pictures of it in use, the whole thing made a lot more sense, but I am still curious as to what the prefered method of mounting it is. Around the bottom of the FSB, around the barrel, or around both?

[Maxfield]

I have the Mount n' Slot and short UWL setup. It is working well with my Ares sling. When I tighten up the sling with the thumb loop my thumb comes to rest on the tailcap button of my flashlight. I have my UWL wrapped around the little bar directly above the barrel in the front sight triangle.

Drat, I should have refreshed before I posted, you posted this while I was still composing that last post. Thanks for addressing my questions while I was still writing them! I knew there must be people who on here using an IWC mount and an UWL. Mid or carbine length MOE (assuming that's what you have, I think the IWC mount will fit on other handguards)?