This year at SHOT Show 2022 I had the chance to check out some new rifle slings. While some people dismiss the importance of a sling, I don’t consider a rifle to be a rifle without one. It’s like having a pistol without a holster. They need each other.
So what was new at SHOT Show 2022?
Two pretty cool offerings at opposite ends of the budget spectrum. One offering was by Tactical Distributors and is ultra-affordable. The TD Lead Sling-ER, in Frogskin and Zaire Leopard patten.
The Lead Sling-Er is a simple, easy-to-use two-point sling. It features a captured slider, similar to Blue Force Gear or SierraTac slings which you adjust by pulling the tab towards you to loosen it or away from you to tighten it.
It also has a padded section where it goes over your shoulder and comes at the amazing price of $22.99. For that price, there is no reason not to have a sling on your rifles!
Also this year I was able to check out the Duel Adjust Precision Rifle Sling by Arbor Arms. What is it? Exactly what it sounds like.
Most slings work on one concept or the other. You have captured adjustable slings, like the aforementioned, where the slider moves back and forth and all the webbing is maintained on the sling, no loose tails. Or you have slings like the V-Tac Sling, where you adjust it with a buckle of sorts and you have a tail hanging off of the sling.
So why the two types?
Well, captured slings are great because you don’t have a loose tail hanging off of your sling to get caught up in things. But there is no free lunch. With those captured slings, you have a serious limiting factor when it comes to the amount of adjustment. So usually you have enough room to manage your rifle well, but can’t cinch it down real tight for running, performing combat medicine, climbing, or any dynamic movement.
Conversely, slings with a tail have tons of adjustment, but then you have a tail flapping around in the wind at all times.
Arbor Arms cracked the code and made the Duel Adjustment Sling. It lets you easily adjust the two-point sling without defeating any cams or buckles like a standard captured sling. But there is also a provision to cinch the sling down with the built-in buckle. Letting you pull a tail through, situationally, to over tighten the sling so there is no extra movement. Then, release the buckle when you’re done, getting rid of the tail, and you’re back to your captured two-point sling.
They also offer two versions of their Duel Adjustment Sling, a standard version with an MSRP starting at $59.99 and a Precision Sling starting at an MSRP of $89.99 depending on features.
The Precision version offers some really cool built-in features for shooting off of tripods and barricades and can even be used with an arm cuff, depending on shooting style. Both slings are available now.
