Tactical M4/CAR15 Sling - ArniesAirsoft

Author

Ranger_Captain

Pissin' people off one post at a time

Registered: July 2005
Location: West Point, New York
Posts: 1,229

Review Date: 4/1/10

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: �15.00 | Rating: 9

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Durable, Strong, Easy to use, Versatile
Cons:	A wee bit expensive, Only works on one weapon type

Eagle Industries Tactical Sling (CAR 15/CSG)

Introduction

Having lugged both real and toy weapons over long distances, long days/weeks, and under busy circumstances, I�ve come to the opinion that no weapon should ever be used without a sling. The memories of basic training and not being allowed to use the sling on my M1- I mean Mike One Six Alpha Two (for the priors Wink

), haunt me still :P and definitely gave me an appreciation for well made, and USED slings.

In steps what over the years I�ve found myself always coming back to when attempting to find a slinging option for a collapsible stock M-Type: the Eagle Industries CAR15 Tactical Sling. I�ve had my sling for years and trying just about every option out there, from one point to �no� point and this simple and durable (and boy do I mean durable) trumps them all.

Real Steel History

I won�t bore you with a full history lesson on slings but be it suffice to say almost as long as there has been shoulder fired firearms, users have searched for alternate ways to carry them when not expecting to shoot.

As far as I know slings didn�t change much from about the mid-1400�s (when they started becoming standard accessories rather than the old �rests�) until the mid 20th century with the introduction of the tactical sling. More commonly referred to as a three point sling, there are variations on the design but they follow the basic principle of three �points� where the sling comes together, two on the front and rear sling posts/holes on the weapon and on in the center which forms a �loop� with the rear point to allow the user to wear the sling and therefore the weapon hangs in the low-ready position by default, keeping the weapon pointed safely to the ground and at the same time leaving the user with an easy solution to �dropping� the weapon in order to use his/her hands.

Since then various other methods such as one point slings and even a revamping of the classic two point. All designed to fit specific needs.

First Impressions

Well considering I bought this sling five or six years ago to be honest I can�t really remember �first impressions� with it or even what he first match I used it in. I believe I ordered it along with one of the many Classic Army M15A4�s I�ve had over the years with the intention of not having to �carry� my M4 all day and be able to let it hang. I do remember one thing distinctly about ordering the sling however, it was expensive. Right now on Eagle Industries online store they retail for about $30 USD. At the time, when �Chinese� slings (which at the time I didn�t know where about as useful as twin) were around $5, maybe $10 at the most, this seemed like a tall order on an already expensive purchase (gun, which was before the CA price drop, battery, charger, magazines ect.) but seeing as it had great reviews I relented and got what was my first experience with Eagle Industries Gear.

Online Article

Our tactical sling can be carried in an assault position, then with an easy "one-thumb release", be shouldering your weapon! It also may be slung over your back for "hands-free" carry.
FEATURES:
� Quick disconnect from weapon.
� Adjustable for size and clothing.
� Anti-noise features.
� Quick connect/disconnect buckle - with elastic over it for added security.
� Elastic loops for securing excess webbing.
� Specify weapon for correct mounting hardware.
� Made in the USA
� Lifetime Guarantee
*From Eagle Industries

Feel/Aesthetic

I�m not going to grade looks as there�s no real point. It looks like� a sling. What more can I say? How it feels though is important. If you�re gona be lugging around a 10lb rifle all day on this sling it had better be comfortable hooah? Well this one is.

The material used to make the sling itself is a double weave of Cordura and true to form it is extremely durable and long lasting. Having used this sling for quite a few years the only sign of any wear is a little bit of fraying, and I mean just a little bit, on the edge of the sling that wraps around your chest.

Feel wise it�s very comfortable. The quick connect/disconnect buckle allows you to quickly adjust the size of the sling to fit any body type or specific necessity that could possible show up. With the vest hard plastic or metal parts covered by elastic loops and webbing there is little need to worry about scratching your weapon or making excessive noise.

I find that moving the weapon around the body is very easy, so if you need to carry a teammate or an objective item, it�s easy to swing your weapon behind you to leave the front of your body clear.

The attachment points are a great point. Instead of attaching the sling directly to the rife there are two points that strap onto the rifle which then the sling has hooks to attach to. This allows you to quickly remove or attach the sling without having to rewrap the attachment points.

About my only complaint with this sling is its specificity. It works on M4�s and M16�s only. I tried putting this sling on every other gun I own, including a few real ones (M1 Carbine, WASR10) and it never seems to carry them right. Even on the relatively similar SCAR and HK416, the sling doesn�t quite attach right because the attachment points are different on most weapons. So if you get this sling make sure you get it for your appropriate weapon system.

Feel Grade: 9/10
Aesthetics: 9/10

The only thing that detracts from the feel grade is that, since I almost exclusively wear this sling with ACU�s, I find that it gets stuck to the Velcro points under the Mandarin collar.

Aesthetics wise it�s perfect, with the only down point being the aforementioned specificness.

Use

As I�ve said, I�ve found this to be the most useful sling I�m yet to operate

To start let me explain my distaste for other slings. With single point slings I find that the rifle has a tendency to bounce more and can�t be maneuvered around the body as easily. Additionally single points tend to not keep the weapon in as an accessible position as the three point design. When dealing with two point slings there�s not much to say negatively about them, but at the same time there�s not a whole lot of good things to say either. Two point slings will allow you to carry the weapon not in your hands, but in most positions it won�t be as easily accessible as a three point and it takes far more effort to reverse sling and unsling.

That brings me to the three point design. I won�t delve deep into the merits of the three point design, chances are if you�re reading this you�ve probably used two out of the three types of slings already with the three point being one of them. Suffice to say I, and many others, find the three point design to be extremely versatile and able to quickly bring a weapon up to shooting position as well as let it hang in a safe, low ready position.

Use Grade: 10/10

Conclusion

Pros:
Durable
Strong
Easy to use
Versatile

Cons:
A wee bit expensive
Only works on one weapon type

Overall I�d give this a nine out of ten, really the only thing detracting from this sling is that it can only be mounted on the gun it�s designed for and that�s about it. It�s not a huge problem but it does mean if you own multiple gun types like me, you�re going to need multiple slings.

Either way, the Eagle Industries Swift sling is a great buy for every airsofter and should be a part of everyone�s kit.

Credits:

http://www.eagleindustries.com/home.php

http://www.eagleindustries.com/product.php?productid=532&cat=15&page=1

------------------------------
Never argue with a gun, it may argue back...
United States Corps of Cadets, USMA
Cadet, United States Army
2012 "For More Than Ourselves"