Set up for single point on an AR, set up as a two point on an FAL.
I don't care for a bungee sling at all, eventually, it will stretch and loose it's elasticity and will have to be replaced. The LaRue Tactical, and the somewhat similar Viking Tactics sling, are wide, padded with closed cell foam, making for much more comfortable long carries. I've added Viking Tactics sling extensions on both rifles, I'm not small, so needed additional length to accommodate load bearing gear under the sling.
All long guns should have a sling, including your shotgun, without a sling, you're forced to put the weapon down while you accomplish various tasks, we all know, or should know, the danger in that.
I've tried single and two points, as well as traditional slings, and here is what I've found.
Single point slings are great for transitioning to handgun, and for single handed reloading of the AK, but don't allow full mobility of the rifle for use as an impact weapon. Also, they give an attacker some physical control over the body via grabbing and pulling the AK, which is not something you want.
Two point slings have all the advantages and disadvantages of a single point sling, but with one more disadvantage - it makes it difficult to shoot the AK on the secondary side (left for righties, right for lefties). My least favored method.
SIDE NOTE: For those who carry Appendix IWB carry, single and two-point slings interfere with the draw of the handgun if you do not first move the AK to your left side.
Traditional slings (unattached two-point) that aren't attached to the rifle offer full mobility for using the AK as an impact weapon, but make it slightly slower for transitioning to and from handgun via Gabe Suarez's and Sonny Puzikas' method of throwing and slinging the rifle over the back. If one is patroling, standing guard, one can carry the AK Israeli style with the traditional two point draped around the neck. When there is a contact, one responds with the rifle still around the neck, but at the soonest opportunity, take the sling off from around your neck. This is my preferred method.
I agree with the second video's reasons for the two-point unattached. This is how I have trained, I've trained with it often, and it works for me.
Edit: "Traditional slings (unattached two-point) that aren't attached to the body offer full mobility for using the AK as an impact weapon"
There, I should proof-read.
For my AK, I really don't like using tactical slings, for all the reasons that the second video mentions. The AK hangs in front which interferes with the draw of my handgun, which I carry appendix carry. When it hangs in front, it makes it very difficult to move, not just side step but to actually move your ass. Try running, jogging, or even walking quickly with the rifle hanging in front of you. And as the guy in the second video says, you should be moving. (It's not hard to hit your target while moving, just takes practice.)
To fix this, you can move the rifle off to the left, but this will tend to rotate the entire sling around your torso and shoulder, and it can and will get caught up on gear. So, the speediness of transitions sort of becomes moot when this is taken into consideration.
These are my reasons.
Also, as another side note, the sling on an AK will never be used as a shooting support, i.e. it shouldn't be used as one would with an M1 or M14 sling. The rifle and cartridge or both designed for intermediate ranges, and if one has to use them past 300 yards, use something else to physically steady the rifle, such as a tree branch, side of a wall, etc., or go prone.
I am with Pat H, with the exception I am a 2 pt guy. I rock the BFG Vickers VCAS QD padded. My AK will eventually rock a Vickers sling. Right now I make do with the E. Bloc sling on it, fully expanded. It is not hard to use at all, but padded slings are wonderfully comfortable. Also QD is important in case one has to get out of it quickly.
5 comments:
I have a LaRue Tactical padded sling on two of my self defense tools.
Set up for single point on an AR, set up as a two point on an FAL.
I don't care for a bungee sling at all, eventually, it will stretch and loose it's elasticity and will have to be replaced. The LaRue Tactical, and the somewhat similar Viking Tactics sling, are wide, padded with closed cell foam, making for much more comfortable long carries. I've added Viking Tactics sling extensions on both rifles, I'm not small, so needed additional length to accommodate load bearing gear under the sling.
All long guns should have a sling, including your shotgun, without a sling, you're forced to put the weapon down while you accomplish various tasks, we all know, or should know, the danger in that.
Very instructive. Thanks.
I've tried single and two points, as well as traditional slings, and here is what I've found.
Single point slings are great for transitioning to handgun, and for single handed reloading of the AK, but don't allow full mobility of the rifle for use as an impact weapon. Also, they give an attacker some physical control over the body via grabbing and pulling the AK, which is not something you want.
Two point slings have all the advantages and disadvantages of a single point sling, but with one more disadvantage - it makes it difficult to shoot the AK on the secondary side (left for righties, right for lefties). My least favored method.
SIDE NOTE: For those who carry Appendix IWB carry, single and two-point slings interfere with the draw of the handgun if you do not first move the AK to your left side.
Traditional slings (unattached two-point) that aren't attached to the rifle offer full mobility for using the AK as an impact weapon, but make it slightly slower for transitioning to and from handgun via Gabe Suarez's and Sonny Puzikas' method of throwing and slinging the rifle over the back. If one is patroling, standing guard, one can carry the AK Israeli style with the traditional two point draped around the neck. When there is a contact, one responds with the rifle still around the neck, but at the soonest opportunity, take the sling off from around your neck. This is my preferred method.
I agree with the second video's reasons for the two-point unattached. This is how I have trained, I've trained with it often, and it works for me.
Edit: "Traditional slings (unattached two-point) that aren't attached to the body offer full mobility for using the AK as an impact weapon"
There, I should proof-read.
For my AK, I really don't like using tactical slings, for all the reasons that the second video mentions. The AK hangs in front which interferes with the draw of my handgun, which I carry appendix carry. When it hangs in front, it makes it very difficult to move, not just side step but to actually move your ass. Try running, jogging, or even walking quickly with the rifle hanging in front of you. And as the guy in the second video says, you should be moving. (It's not hard to hit your target while moving, just takes practice.)
To fix this, you can move the rifle off to the left, but this will tend to rotate the entire sling around your torso and shoulder, and it can and will get caught up on gear. So, the speediness of transitions sort of becomes moot when this is taken into consideration.
These are my reasons.
Also, as another side note, the sling on an AK will never be used as a shooting support, i.e. it shouldn't be used as one would with an M1 or M14 sling. The rifle and cartridge or both designed for intermediate ranges, and if one has to use them past 300 yards, use something else to physically steady the rifle, such as a tree branch, side of a wall, etc., or go prone.
I am with Pat H, with the exception I am a 2 pt guy. I rock the BFG Vickers VCAS QD padded. My AK will eventually rock a Vickers sling. Right now I make do with the E. Bloc sling on it, fully expanded. It is not hard to use at all, but padded slings are wonderfully comfortable. Also QD is important in case one has to get out of it quickly.
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